Band:	Michael Monroe
Album:	Nights Are So Long
Style:	Glam metal, Hard rock
Release date:	1987
A review by:	KwonVerge

01. She's No Angel [Gary Holton cover]
02. Million Miles Away [Frank Secich cover]
03. Shake Some Action [Flamin' Groovies cover]
04. It's A Lie [The Dead Boys cover]
05. Highschool [MC5 cover]
06. Nights Are So Long
07. Can't Go Home Again
08. Too Rich To Be Good
09. You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory [Johnny Thunders cover]
10. Keep It Up

I really can't imagine which position Hanoi Rocks would have reached if Razzle had not passed away in such a tragic way and they hadn't split up back in the 80s. No-one can deny the fact that they were one of the best and most unique glam rock acts back then, and they still are, and they are back nowadays really strong and ready to conquer their throne once again. But let's see what happened after this wonderful band split up and a "boulevard of broken dreams" was left behind to be remembered by every glam fan.

Michael Monroe, front-man of Hanoi Rocks, after their "rock n' roll divorce", moved to New York and started working on his solo band, which was the right decision because it would be a shame for his fabulous voice and talent to remain "silenced". The name of his first personal work was "Nights Are So Long", an important album for Monroe since it was dedicated to Razzle's memory, it was opening his personal career in the most appropriate way, despite the fact it was recorded with really low budget, and led to a world-wide deal with the renowned Polygram Records.

"Nights Are So Long" balances between emotion and sleazy/dirty groovy rock n' roll attitude, unfolding two different interpreting and expressive sides of Michael Monroe where the common part of the story is the fact that they pace so beautifully together amazing the listener! Among the songs composed by Michael Monroe lie some covers like the one on Johnny Thunders' (New York Dolls) "You Can't Put Your Arms Around A Memory" or MC5's "High School" and two songs, the fragile ballad "It's A Lie" and "Nights Are So Long", composed by the guitarist of The Dead Boys, Jimmy Zero.

The variety of emotions, expressions and ideas is present, but this time we deal with the first personal work of Monroe, not a Hanoi Rocks album, so the whole thing becomes definitely more personal. The fans of Monroe know that not remaining static but embracing a more affected way of expression has always been a part of Michael Monroe since his beginning in the world of rock n' roll, something that was proven in Hanoi Rocks and reached its highest climax with his personal works.

The guitar work, whether it is more fragile and emotional (like on "Can't Go Home Again" and the exceptional ballad "It's A Lie" - the saxophone adds such an intense sexy/sensational feeling to the song that seduces you so tenderly?) or rocks all the way ("Keep It Up", "High School", "She's No Angel" etc), is exceptional with the absolute work having been done on "Million Miles Away" where all these high quality yet so emotional solos make you wish they'd never end! Needless to say that the rhythm section does its work in the most appropriate way, keeping the glam groove alive like on the wonderful "High School"! Michael Monroe is a great vocalist, stigmatizing every single composition he pours his soul into with his vocals, saxophone/harmonica interpretation etc, but you already know that! A big plus is definitely the use of the piano in the 70s glam punk rock way adding to the overall sleazy or emotional and gently decadent aesthetic of the album.

Hmm? If you are a glam rock/metal fan you know what to do, we're talking about Michael Monroe so there's nothing more to be said, only one thing's left to be done, get this album as soon as possible!