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Re-release of Twisted Sister’s fifth—and to-date final—studio album.



Pros

• At times, heavier than its predecessor, 'Come Out and Play.'
• "Hot Love" was a modest hit and it's perfectly catchy.
• Despite the album's state of confusion, 'Love Is For Suckers' does rock in many spots.
• The four bonus tracks are superb and should've made the original cut.

Cons

• This album marks the bitter, first-time split of Twisted Sister.

• The second half of the album carries a glossy pop rock vibe which derails the first half's punch.

Description

• Re-released February 22, 2011 by Armoury Records.
• Originally released in 1987.
• Guest artists include Steve Whiteman and Jimmy Chalfant of Kix, Kip Winger and Reb Beach of Winger.
• Drums by Joey “Seven” Franco in place of the departed A.J. Pero.
• Includes four bonus tracks.
• Produced by Beau Hill (Ratt, Winger).

Guide Review - Twisted Sister - 'Love Is For Suckers'

On their fifth album, Love is for Suckers, Twisted Sister belted out “Me and the Boys,” a brotherly anthem safeguarding the public from their inevitable implosion.

1987 found Twisted Sister fighting for elbow room amidst hairball competitors they influenced. Unfortunately, Love is for Suckers ended up being a concession album, and later, the fight found its way home.

The single on Love is for Suckers was the harmonious rocker, “Hot Love,” and MTV played the Rebel Without a Cause-meets-Cool Hand Luke video stoutly on Headbangers Ball—almost in concession for screwing the band on their riotous “Be Chrool to your Scuel” video.

“Hot Love” is a cool toe-tapper, but sadly, the metal public wasn’t buying. Despite a stamping first half with “Wake Up (The Sleeping Giant),” “Tonight” and the title track, Love is for Suckers later settles for a pop-fluffed facsimile of what this band is at-heart. “Yeah, Right” finishes the album with a hearty bang, yet beforehand, Twisted modifies themselves to the sales-driven rock standards of ’87 on “You Are All That I Need,” “One Bad Habit” and “I Want This Night (To Last Forever).”

Dee Snider wrote Love is for Suckers as a solo project, but was forced into recording it with Twisted Sister. Unfortunately, his band was already busting at the seams before this album ever dropped and the final product bears their friction. It’s a clock punch instead of a rock out.

With session drummer Joey Franco handling the kit for the departed A.J. Pero, the writing was on the wall. Love is for Suckers could’ve been terrific if the snarky bonus tracks appearing on this reissue, “Feel Appeal,” “Statutory Date,” “If That’s What You Want” and “I Will Win” had substituted the gimpy second half that hit the market and sent this band packing.



Disclosure: A review copy was provided by the publisher. For more information, please see our Ethics Policy.