By Vinnie Apicella

There'd always been a touch of irony about this legendary band that struck me as odd… how is it that Frank Beard, the guy behind the drum kit, is the only member of the group without a beard? At least in the excessive sense! "Gimme All Your Top" is something of a left turn in the latest line of impressive tributes formulated from Deadline and their respectable though somewhat low profile roster of contributing artists. The Southern Rock kingpins get their greatest hits served up with an English accent in the finest gentlemanly NWOBHM tradition…performed by a crux of avid pro's grown from some of yesterday's biggest groups, interspersed for a little studio fun. Where else are you ever going to hear the likes of Steve Grimmett or Nicky Moore of Samson fame belting out the likes of "Sharp Dressed Man" or "La Grange"? The Sleeper pick here goes to the Doogie White-led "Planet of Women" which comes alive with a uniquely imaginative flavor while the downer goes to the Lea Hart sung "I Got the Six" which doesn't come close to doing justice to the original. And what the hell happened to Di'Anno's voice on "Sleeping Bag" to close, is a mystery to me! As expected, the collection here is defined mainly by the 'Tops' later MTV ultra-hits, hard-rocked, save for a few in retro-fitted blues-based setting of a "La Grange" or "Jesus Just Left Chicago". No surprise there, but the surprise overall is that "Give Me All Your Top" isn't a half-bad tribute! The unlikely pairing of Texas-based trio with the traditionally English metal performers accentuated by a variety of vocalists doesn't always hit the mark but should be of interest to fans of both and is genuine to be sure.

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