722. Twisted Sister / You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. 1983. 4/5

As much as most people know Twisted Sister for the success of their Stay Hungry album, which follows this release, much of what makes that album so popular can be found here as well, and it is a shame that it doesn't always command the same love.

The anthemic qualities of the album are immediately obvious with "The Kids Are Back", and "Like a Knife in the Back". Both are short, sharp, with thumping drum beat driving you to pump your fist in the air singing the choruses. Great stuff. Every song on this album is almost purpose-written to be played live, sung loud, and banged along with. "Ride to Live, Live to Ride" fits this category perfectly, and is followed by the equally excellent "I Am (I'm Me)". "We're Gonna Make It" is another brilliant anthem, designed to turn up loud with your air guitar and sing at the top of your voice. "I'll Take You Alive" speeds things up in style. The closing title track completes and complements the album perfectly.
There's nothing terribly extravagant or difficult about the songs on You Can't Stop Rock 'n' Roll. They follow the tried-and-trusted formula of simple drum beat, equally kicked-in bass line, Eddie Ojeda's wonderful lead licks and Dee Snider's proudly up front vocals, encouraging the teenager within to sing along with him. But it works! Every playing of this album is enjoyable and a mood lifting experience. Perhaps it feels a bit samey through the middle of the album sometimes, but don't all albums the better you know them? A solid rhythm section through every song can sometime fool people into believing it is boring when it is instead the essence of the album.

I still love this album more than 30 years on. It's a solid hard rock album that holds its own even if you aren't seeing the dress-up that the band used throughout their glory days. That gear wasn't to hide the music, because it doesn't need any deference.

Rating: "And then... we're never gonna stop!"  4/5