Band:	Lizzy Borden
Album:	Love You To Pieces
Style:	Heavy metal
Release date:	June 1985
Guest review by:	DayFly

01. Council For The Cauldron
02. Psychopath
03. Save Me
04. Red Rum
05. Love You To Pieces
06. American Metal
07. Flesheater
08. Warfare
09. Godiva
10. Rod Of Iron

"Love You To Pieces" may just be the best proof that the whole is more than the sum of it's parts. Influenced equally by British rock and metal as well as the more theatrical American acts such as Alice Cooper and Kiss, on their début Lizzy Borden had none of the eclectic experimentalism and songcraft of their later records going for them but made up for that with enthusiasm and attitude. The production gets the job done but isn't too notable otherwise. Taken as a whole, however, "Love You To Pieces" just works. There is a refreshing quality to the album and even after multiple listens it manages to spark an interest in the listener.

Musically, much of the album can be best described as fast-paced NWOBHM complemented with very high, clear vocals. Additionally, the songs often have some sort of tongue-in-cheek horror reference which seem to be more a supplement for the band's showy and often bloody stage show than a genuine attempt to shock. Occasionally, the horror references amount to more as with the edgy, creepy riffing of "Psychopath" whose lyrics deal with -surprise, surprise- a psychopathic stalker. Equally fast and are the ultra-catchy "Save Me" and "Flesheater" (that song is most certainly not about cannibalism) and the concert favourite "Red Rum" with it's sing-along chorus. The pace is only lessened for the terrific fist-pumping anthem "American Metal" and the title track, a rather effective ballad. But most importantly, there is not an ounce of filler to be found. Simply put, even nearly 25 years after it's first release, "Love You To Pieces" remains one of the definite classics of early -you guessed it- "American Metal".

Note: The 2002 reissue contains four additional tracks including "Dirty Pictures", easily one of the band's best songs.