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Struck Down [Import] on CD

Digitally remastered deluxe edition. Includes 12-page full color booklet - 3,500-word essay, enhanced artwork, and new interviews. Having already established themselves with a warmly received debut album and a buzzing local following, Yesterday & Today set about focusing on a follow-up opus, 'Struck Down', a release that firmly established them as stars of the San Francisco Bay scene. In the big scheme of things, however, the band were still a small blip on the radar trying to get some traction in a scene that was rapidly expanding to accommodate several up-and-coming acts. However, with serious commitment and a stack of new songs it soon became apparent that they could easily get around the problem by just focusing on the job in hand and playing shows to a loud and devoted audience. For 'Struck Down' they enlisted the production guidance of Jimmy Robinson, a man that was well versed in the art of heavy rock having worked in L.A.'s influential Record Plant studio. Robinson gave the band a more direct sound, utilizing a bigger and better vibe, and the material, although not radically different from their previous excursion made use of techniques such as flanging and phase shifting. It brought an expanded palette, giving the sound a contemporary sheen yet harnessing all the heft of their original thunder. The new approach also extended to the shape and form of the new songs. Tracks such as 'Pleasure In My Heart', 'I'm Lost', the title track 'Struck Down' and 'Stargazer (Round & Round)' all showing a major advancement in compositional skill and sonic tapestry. This all comes of course wrapped up in the whirlwind vocals of Dave Meniketti, a man whose voice could knock down brick walls and scale mountains. Best of all though Is the sheer passion displayed in the band's desire to lift the band to greater heights. Of course, it would be a few good years before - with a slight name change - Y&T could propel themselves into the premiere league of hard rock outfits.