Based in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, IL, Red Light Records was a small label that focused on hard rock and pop-metal in the late 1980s and early 1990s. Red Light never had a huge hit, but the company gave it an honest try with bands like
Diamond Rexx,
Manikin Laff, and Joker. Another band that recorded for the label was
Scarecrow, whose self-titled debut album is derivative and unoriginal but generally enjoyable nonetheless.
Scarecrow's songs are slick, high-gloss pop-metal/hard rock along the lines of
Poison, Warrant and
Bon Jovi -- unimaginative, to be sure, but
Scarecrow does manage to deliver their share of catchy hooks. Tunes like "Waiting," "Sweet Sissy," and "'Til the Day I Die" may not be distinctive, but while you're commenting on the songs' lack of originality, you'll also find yourself patting your foot and acknowledging that
Scarecrow can be infectious. Also noteworthy are the power ballad "Runaway Renee" and a remake of the Stories' early 1970s smash "Brother Louie," which addresses the subject of interracial romance. This CD didn't make
Scarecrow well-known, but despite its shortcomings, it's worth obtaining if you happen to come across a copy somewhere.