Rev It Up

Exalted as "the Female Bon Jovi," Vixen spent several years paying dues on L.A.'s hard rock circuit before enjoying national exposure in 1988 with a self-titled album and the mega-hit "Edge of a Broken Heart." The all-female band's popularity was short-lived, however. EMI had high hopes for Vixen's next album, Rev It Up, but was disappointed when it didn't do nearly as well as expected. It isn't anything to be ashamed of -- although not remarkable, such slick pop-metal songs as "Bad Reputation," "Love Is a Killer," and the single "How Much Love" are, in fact, slightly stronger than the songs heard on Vixen. One thing EMI wouldn't give Vixen was a lot of chances to return to the top of the charts. By the mid-'90s, alternative rock had become the rage, and the type of pop-metal Vixen specialized in was out of vogue. ~ Alex Henderson