Hanoi Rocks’ first five albums get a new lease on life with The Complete Collection (1981-1984), introducing a new generation of rock kids to a major influence on ’80s glam rock.
With the benefit of hindsight, probably no other band embodied the natural glam image and punk energy of the early '80s rock scene quite like Hanoi Rocks. Now, the influential Finnish outfit’s formative years are getting the special treatment with The Complete Collection (1981-1984), a box set chronicling an explosive initial run of five albums in four years that may not have been huge at the time, but over the years established an almost mythic legacy in hard rock.
The set brings together the 1981 debut, Bangkok Shocks, Saigon Shakes, Hanoi Rocks, followed by Oriental Beat and Self Destruction Blues (both released in 1982), 1983’s Back To Mystery City, and 1984’s last gasp grab at the brass ring with legendary producer Bob Ezrin, Two Steps From The Move. Taken in total, the albums capture Hanoi Rocks’ evolution from underground glam punk ruffians simply looking for a way out of Finland into one of the most distinctive and important bands of the era.
Without Hanoi, bands as disparate as Guns N’ Roses, Poison, and even Manic Street Preachers probably wouldn’t be the bands we know them as today.
After the original studio records, the box goes even deeper with the bonus album Motorvatin'!!!, featuring archival material including rare BBC live sessions, never-before-heard demos, and previously unreleased tracks. For longtime fans, the additional recordings add a little something extra to go along with the five albums filled with songs you already know and love.
And the songs are really what’s at the heart of Hanoi. As great as the image was, as over the top as the concerts were, what truly set them apart were the songs. The lyrics that went way beyond what typical glam rock was. The playing and arrangements that were much more than basic hard rock tunes. Andy McCoy wasn’t some kind of pretender, he’s as real a rock n’ roll outlaw as there ever was. Look no further than a song like “Café Avenue” as the ultimate example.
In addition to all the great music, you get a 36-page photobook packed with rare and previously unseen images, alongside a set of studio album art cards showcasing the covers that helped all these albums stand out in record store bins. More than just a cursory look back, The Complete Collection (1981-1984) is a comprehensive view into the beginnings of a band whose influence would reach far beyond its original lifespan, leaving an undeniable stain on the sound and attitude of generations of hard rock bands that came after, and are still coming.