The Hollywood Stars

Sound City

BuRgeR

The Sound of star quality.

With two false starts and an eventual debut that failed to ignite, the Kim Fowley-managed Hollywood Stars are another of those bands that should have been huge but never made it – despite writing Alice Cooper’s Escape and Kiss’s King Of The Night Time World.

Following the very limited 2013 release of their shelved 1974 album, finally titled Shine Like A Radio, Sound City, recorded in 1976 but unreleased until now, is another ace example of US glam and power-pop. Five of the tracks eventually made it to the band’s Arista debut in 1977, but the band favour the more spontaneously sparky versions here. Tunes like All The Kids On The Street, Sunrise On Sunset, Make It To The Party and a terrific take on Escape are fantastic, while Shotgun and Houdini Of Rock And Roll make their first appearance ever.

A tantalising new album is in the works. ■■■■■■■■■■