Parasol
46
1999
Yet another unacknowledged but great gathering of pop rockers, Boot Camp seems to have vanished, leaving behind only this seven song souvenir. Classy kick-off "Spent" name-checks Roy Clark in a Lou Reed monotone. Up to their old tricks, Robin Zander and Bruce Kulick show up for "Rise and Shine," and Zander's rich vocal tones resonate throughout the remainder of the record, as Boot Camp obviously idolizes Cheap Trick. The "Bad Blood" remake (a previous release featuring Brian Leach of Sugarbuzz) can't touch the chugging 70's original and might as well have been a new song, especially considering the high quality and limited quantity of surrounding material (A nice Neil Diamond nugget hides at the tail end.). Ultimately, As You Were comes off bittersweet: fun and exciting but also tragic because of lost potential.
-STONE, Cheap Trash NYC
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