siLLy puPPy Sounding somewhat like a more bluesy version of 80s AC/DC with Brian Johnson on vocal duties, NIGHT SONGS is the debut album by the Philadelphia band with the not-so-metal name CINDERELLA, yet another musical entity discovered by the then pop metal god Jon Bon Jovi. Like many a band of this era, CINDERELLA broke big fast due to some slick and savvy videos on MTV that revolved around the underdog character CINDERELLA being taunted by the evil twins who actually got to go to the CINDERELLA concert while she stayed home to mop the floors. Sad but true. She always got the last laugh in the end.

Well, gimmicks aside, i have to admit that this music is well constructed and seriously catchy. No, this is not philosophical or trying to reinvent any kind of wheel or other invention, but for what this music is, namely glam metal, NIGHT SONGS caught CINDERELLA on a high note where they were at their most metal before they shifted gears into a true bluesy hard rock band that would garner them even more commercial success on the following album “Long Cold Winter.”

CINDERELLA is basically the making of Tom Keifer who writes all the songs and is the vocalist and guitarist. This album not only hit the top 40 with the single “Nobody’s Fool” on the Billboard hot singles but also produced the huge video hits “Shake Me” and “Somebody Save Me.” The music is not complex in the least but the catchiness is infectious and i really find no track on this album to be a stinker. The title track starts the album with some kind of catchy exotic scale and the bluesy anthem rockers that pick up the pace sustain til the end. Much better than any Bon Jovi album and although a true product of its time, i find find this to be a great listen despite the “i am more of a poser than thou” album cover that just reeks of the times.

Stephen Cinderella's story began in 1983, formed by leader Tom Keifer and bassist Eric Brittingham where eventually two of the original members left to build another rival band, Britny Fox. With a little luck, Jon Bon Jovi spotted them performing in a club and referenced the band to Mercury that sealed them a recording contract. "Night Songs"' album sales crawled slowly when it was released in 1986, but thanks to the huge ballad hit, "Nobody's Fool", Cinderella seized triple platinums in 1987. Ironically, that song had always become my least favorite track of the album, and in my opinion, it’s probably the worst ballad ever penned by the band.

"Night Songs" featured a 40-minutes high octane rock and roll ride that was highly influenced by AC/DC and listening to Tom Keifer's raspy vocal style, you can't deny the close comparation to Brian Johnson. Their singles, "Shake Me" and "Somebody Save Me", are classic tunes, concert regulars, and definitely their best tracks here. Don't bother to look for any wasteful fillers, the rest are extremely enjoyable from the cool and sleazy "Nuthin' For Nuthin'", the heaviest monstrous track "Hell On Wheels", to the hard kicker, "Push Push".

The sound is raw, signifying a hungry quartet ready to break and crack. If you want to catch Cinderella at their primal start, "Night Songs" won't disappoint. Cinderella moved forward with a more bluesy approach onto their next release, "Long Cold Winter", so it's wise to always start exploring them from this album. Sadly, with over 25 years of experiences, Cinderella only produced four studio albums, and though this ain't their peak, it remains their essential album to have.

Negoba Great Gobs of Glam

Cinderella was an AC/DC styled glam outfit that was tapped by Jon Bon Jovi to open the enormous Slippery When Wet tour. Owing to that enviable slot, and delivering live, the band had a good run during glam's heyday.

Probably the strongest thing about this record is the songwriting and the fact that the bandmembers had been aroudn the block for a few years before breaking. Bandleader / guitarist / lead singer Tom Kiefer was actually a fair musician despite the hairspray and pouty lips, and his Brian Johnson - styled vocals were comfortable listening for rockers in 1986. The big singles "Nobody's Fool," "Night Songs," and the obviously derivative "Shake Me" made the listener want to get up and move.

Clearly, even in 1986, there was absolutely nothing new going on here. This was color by numbers rock and everyone knew it. But it was catchy, and the band delivered live. Not surprisingly, they've faded into history.

Bottom Line: Typical but energetic glam from the mid 80's