Vixen - Rev It Up

Melodic female-fronted hard rock

Vixen was a short-lived band from the late 1980s, with all female members, that played melodic hard rock. In their mellower moments, they could sound somewhat like Journey. In their harder moments, they could be quite metallic, on a par with Lita Ford. This CD is a remastered edition of their second album, and the sound engineering is extremely good. The songwriting is outstanding, and much more consistent than on their first CD. For the most part, these songs are appealing hard rock or glam metal tracks, with catchy hooks, tasteful guitar leads, and pleasant vocal harmonies. There is no weak material on this CD. May 1, 2008

Not as good as their debut

1990's Rev It Up was album #2 from the all-girl hair metal act Vixen. I really enjoyed the band's debut album, but Rev It Up was something of a disappointment. I hate to say it, but perhaps the band taking over most of the songwriting wasn't the best move they could have made. There aren't any catchy singles here on par with Edge of a Broken Heart or Cryin', and that's something an outside songwriter like Richard Marx or Desmond Child could have helped with.

Musically, Rev It Up is as good as the first Vixen album. It's the same basic melodic pop/rock, but it's lacking the electricity of that first album. The songs aren't as catchy, and don't really stand out.

Rev It Up a decent album overall, but just doesn't compare to the debut album. With better songwriting, and a bit more support from the record label, Rev It Up could have been the album that made Vixen bona fide stars, instead of just another flash in the pan pop metal band.
March 29, 2008

Glamrock Beauties

I love Vixen! Back in the days of men rockin' out dressing a little like women here we have the best female rock band ever! They had the hair... they had the moves... they had the talent! They could play with the big boys and keep up! They said in an interview once that as they were opening for the guys they'd sometimes come out to see if they were faking, but they weren't & they guys were shocked! They are amaaaaaaaaaaaaaazing!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! September 2, 2007

Vixen Returns, Sorta Kinda

From www.MaximumMetal.com

It seems as thought EMI wanted to take advantage of the VH1 Program "Bands Reunited" when it thought to re-issue the two albums by the all-girl "Metal" band Vixen. The sophomore effort by the band really was nothing all that special, and simply contained more of the same thing that the band featured on their self-titled release. Granted the girls knew how to play, but it was simply just "nice rock" if you needed a title. This record suffers from sounding a little too much like the manner of music that Heart had been playing for a couple of years so it loses a little based on that. Also when you held them up against the Pat Benatar or Lita Ford's and Joan Jett's, it simply did not cut the mustard.

There are a couple of numbers that do stand out such as "Love Is A Killer" and "Hard 16", yet nothing that is the hit material of the "Edge Of A Broken Heart" which broke some ground for these young ladies. While it was a nice blast from the past to hear them again, I really think only their die-hard followers from way back when would look to pick this up. Maybe to replace a worn out vinyl copy of the same piece. New fans from the show might be best served by a hits piece as I know one is around.

As mentioned, the band was recently featured on the VH1 show, and they got together for one night and performed. The show really only shows one song and not the rest of any music that is played which is a shame since they should really showcase the whole thing for some of these bands might never do this again. I am thinking some bands from the 80's are better left to the fond memories. Vixen - while a rocking group of girls is probably one of those bands. The music sounds too dated after the years.
December 27, 2004

The culmination of all that was great about 80's rock.

Vixen's second album is the strongest "second album" ever released by an 80's rock band. The guitar work is first rate, the bass and drums fit perfectly, and the vocals are astonishing. Rev It Up has remained one of my favorites over the last decade and will continue as such. Whether you're driving, catching some rays, or anything in between, nothing will keep your blood pumping like Rev It Up. Thanks to Vixen for a timeless rock album! May 19, 1999

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