Negoba
Still Rockin' but Nothing New
Dave must have been pleased as punch when Eat 'Em and Smile did so well. So he essentially followed the same formula and put out Skyscraper. This time guitarist Steve Vai was no secret, and he gets a larger role in the songwriting. The resulting album is very consistent but offers no surprises we hadn't already heard on the album before.
The only single off this album was "Just Like Paradise," a nice feel-good anthem that would have easily fit on a Van Halen album. Vai contributes his trademark acoustic interlude which Dave turns into "Damn Good." "Hot Dog and Shake" features blistering legato soloing by Vai, and "Perfect Timing" see Dave in classic form.
This is a very good, but not great album. Dave's energy is great as always but you get the feeling the band isn't quite as excited as they had been on the first album. Vai and Sheehan would jump ship after this one to follow their own careers, with reasonable success. Dave would never completely rebound.
Bottom Line: Eat 'Em And Smile Some More