Ted Nugent's sophomore release for Atlantic makes a classic case in point for an artist trying to catch up to the times. On
Penetrator,
the Nuge enlisted two-thirds of
Billy Squier's backup band, which at one time included longtime
Squier keyboard player
Alan St. John and veteran drummer
Bobby Chouinard.
Nugent also hired future
Bad Company frontman
Brian Howe to handle vocal duties along with
Doors bassist
Doug Lubahn. Together, this odd mix of arena rockers would enter New York's Power Station to cut basic tracks for what would emerge to be
Nugent's
Penetrator. The album clearly emulates the production of
Billy Squier's '80s albums. The rhythm tracks are virtual blueprints for
Squier's
Emotions in Motion and
Signs of Life, which, ironically, was released the same year as
Penetrator. Includes "Tied Up in Love," "Knockin' at Your Door," "Thunder Thighs," "Lean Mean R&R Machine," and the melancholic ballad "Take Me Home." Curiously, the ensuing tour would see
Nugent playing mid-sized theaters with vocalist
Brian Howe once again at the helm. In a live setting, these songs (minus the studio mucky muck) would fit neatly into a set that highlighted
Nugent's past hits. ~ John Franck