20 years ago today 10/3/1988

[Journey/Survivor]

20 years ago today, October 3rd 1988 was the release of one of the greatest Rock albums in history, Too Hot To Sleep.

I have never been as excited for the release of a new album as I was for the month leading up to it being released. Journey's Trial By Fire may have come somewhat close for my excitement level waiting for it, but it didn't quite equal my excitement for Too Hot To Sleep.

That was well before I had the internet, before almost anyone had the internet for that matter. I was at my high schools Football game on a Friday night about a month before THTS would be released, and I had not heard one single word about when Survivor's next album was due out or what it would be called, etc, etc. It was halftime of the game, and a friend of mine turned to me and said "Hey, Frank wanted me to tell you that Survivor has a new album out." No, not that Frank, a friend of mine at the time named Frank.

I thought that my friend Rich, the guy who was telling me this, was BS-ing me. But he insisted that our friend Frank heard a brand new song by Survivor on the radio the night before.

After the game I went home, I was 16 years old at the time, and my brother and I were both still living at home at that time. As soon as I walked in my brother asked me "do you know that Survivor have a new album out?" He had just heard Didn't Know It Was Love on one of the local Cleveland radio stations.

The next day I hurried up over to my favorite record store, and I found out that the album wasn't out yet, it wouldn't come out until October 3rd. But I did find out that it would be called "Too Hot To Sleep" and that the promo sheet that was sent to the record store said that it was going to be a much harder Rocking album than they had done in several years. I loved the title Too Hot To Sleep right away, and I was very happy that it was going to be a Harder Rocking album than Vital Signs or WSC were. For that month I had to wait for the album I must have driven everyone I knew crazy talking about Survivor's soon to be released new album Too Hot To Sleep. I know at least one friend of mine was sick of hearing me mention it. Come to think of it, so were several kids I worked with at the time.

I had to work the day that the album was coming out, but as soon as my shift ended I hurried over to the record store and I bought the album.

It did not disappoint me in any way. In fact it some how even exceeded my expectations which were already very, very high.

If I were going to be on an island by myself for the rest of my life, and I could only have 2 albums with me to listen to, it would be 1 of them.

Sorry for boring you with my life-story here.

[bomes]

It's not boring at all! I think most of us have similar memories, that's why we still here after such a long time...
I have all Survivor-albums in vinyl/long-playing record, "Too hot to sleep" was my first Survivor-album in CD.
It's a cool title - I agree.

[Eyeof]

It was the first Survivor album that i had on CD...in fact until '92 when Tiger came out on CD, I was out of luck as most of my cassettes were shot...

I did not even know it was out until sometime in November. I friend casually mentioned it to me. I thought they were kidding. Drove straight to the Mall and found a copy. I won't lie, I like the album, but was never as found of it as some of you are. However, it is a great album. I love Dave's version of the songs much more.

[Journey/Survivor]

Eye Of The Tiger was the first CD I ever bought, I got in in early 1986. Up until then all of my Survivor collection was made up of a combination of cassettes and records.

Shortly after buying EOTT on CD I then bought Vital Signs on CD. And shortly after that is when WSC was released, so it was the first brand new release that I bought on CD.

[weatherman90]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

[Ehwmatt]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

[Richard Epps]

I believe Desperate Dreams could have been a hit if released a few years earlier.It did come out as a promo single to radio stations,great track.I know I have said it before but the back cat,needs re-mastering and re-releasing with bonus tracks.

[Slander]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

[weatherman90]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on their too, but overall good album!

Hmm..the only song I really didn't care for was "Across the Miles". Not a bad song by any means, but just too slow for me.

[Ehwmatt]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on their too, but overall good album!

Hmm..the only song I really didn't care for was "Across the Miles". Not a bad song by any means, but just too slow for me.

I LOVE Across The Miles. Frankie's leads on that song are perfect. Great chorus harmony too.

[Journey/Survivor]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

[Slander]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

I hate Here Comes Desire! I can't stress it enough.

[Journey/Survivor]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

I hate Here Comes Desire! I can't stress it enough.

I have a good friend who is also a huge Survivor fan, and Here Comes Desire is his #1 all time favorite Survivor song.

I don't love it to the extent that he does, but I do like it a lot.

[7 Wishes]

Yeah, I agree with Slander. A few great tunes, and a lot of filler. Not their best effort.

[MarcelJordan]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

I hate Here Comes Desire! I can't stress it enough.

I think Im in the minority to feel that THTS really doesn't gel. HCD is horrendous IMO, but it does have its Survivoresque moments. Im not "getting" why JP/FS decided to go for that western saloon bar sound into a song that totally puts me off. Atleast that's the vibe I get. Can someone explain the reason for it? Please?

Heck, I even told Frankie without any reservation that I disliked that tune. And he answered me if I remember correctly "that it was one of the worst crap songs that they ever done". I expected Frankie to put me in my place, but what a relief!

The tunes I could dig were She's a Star, Burning Bridges and Didn't Know it was love (although I not too much in favor of the bridge (not pun intended)). It just seems off. And to an extent I can get into Rhythm of the City. Ive said this before that I think if Marc played the drums, THTS may have been better. Curry with all due respect was not organic enough for me.

[Journey/Survivor]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

I hate Here Comes Desire! I can't stress it enough.

I think Im in the minority to feel that THTS really doesn't gel. HCD is horrendous IMO, but it does have its Survivoresque moments. Im not "getting" why JP/FS decided to go for that western saloon bar sound into a song that totally puts me off. Atleast that's the vibe I get. Can someone explain the reason for it? Please?

Heck, I even told Frankie without any reservation that I disliked that tune. And he answered me if I remember correctly "that it was one of the worst crap songs that they ever done". I expected Frankie to put me in my place, but what a relief!

The tunes I could dig were She's a Star, Burning Bridges and Didn't Know it was love (although I not too much in favor of the bridge (not pun intended)). It just seems off. And to an extent I can get into Rhythm of the City. Ive said this before that I think if Marc played the drums, THTS may have been better. Curry with all due respect was not organic enough for me.

When I said to Slander that I like HCD I almost said with the exception of what you now described as "that western saloon bar sound." I've never known why that was thrown into a song that is otherwise an all out Rocker?

Interestingly my friend and former guitar teacher has never liked Frankie Sullivan's guitar playing. I tried to get him into Sullivan's playing, but he never liked any of it, with one exception, he does like Sullivan's main middle of the song solo in HCD.

I would have of course preferred that Marc and Stephan had been on the THTS album, but I do think that Curry did do a great job.

IMO Burning Bridges is one of the greatest songs ever, because like I mentioned in a different thread...the lyrics, lead vocals and guitar playing all have such great emotion and soulfulness to them.

And IMO She's A Star and Rhythm Of The City are kick-ass Rockers.

[weatherman90]

Yeah, I agree with Slander. A few great tunes, and a lot of filler. Not their best effort.

I don't know if I'd say it has a lot of filler - the only songs that are possibly filler are the already discussed "Here Comes Desire" and "Can't Give It Up".

[Journey/Survivor]

Boy, that one particular friend of mine would be freaking out if he read some of the comments about HCD. He has all of Survivor's albums and most of the off-shoot bands and solo projects, and like I mentioned, HCD is his #1 favorite Survivor song.

[MarcelJordan]

I just played this one in my car for the past week, I love the album. It rocks out very nicely and the slower songs like "Desperate Dreams" and "Didn't Know It Was Love" are classics.

Two absolutely fantastic and underrated songs. I really love the moodier feel of Desperate Dreams. DKIWL is just a downright great catchy song

Those are some great songs unfortunately there are some of their worst songs on that disc too, but overall good album!

IMO there isn't a weak song on the album, it's solid through and through.

Which songs do you think are the worst ones?

I hate Here Comes Desire! I can't stress it enough.

I think Im in the minority to feel that THTS really doesn't gel. HCD is horrendous IMO, but it does have its Survivoresque moments. Im not "getting" why JP/FS decided to go for that western saloon bar sound into a song that totally puts me off. Atleast that's the vibe I get. Can someone explain the reason for it? Please?

Heck, I even told Frankie without any reservation that I disliked that tune. And he answered me if I remember correctly "that it was one of the worst crap songs that they ever done". I expected Frankie to put me in my place, but what a relief!

The tunes I could dig were She's a Star, Burning Bridges and Didn't Know it was love (although I not too much in favor of the bridge (not pun intended)). It just seems off. And to an extent I can get into Rhythm of the City. Ive said this before that I think if Marc played the drums, THTS may have been better. Curry with all due respect was not organic enough for me.

When I said to Slander that I like HCD I almost said with the exception of what you now described as "that western saloon bar sound." I've never known why that was thrown into a song that is otherwise an all out Rocker?

Interestingly my friend and former guitar teacher has never liked Frankie Sullivan's guitar playing. I tried to get him into Sullivan's playing, but he never liked any of it, with one exception, he does like Sullivan's main middle of the song solo in HCD.

I would have of course preferred that Marc and Stephan had been on the THTS album, but I do think that Curry did do a great job.

IMO Burning Bridges is one of the greatest songs ever, because like I mentioned in a different thread...the lyrics, lead vocals and guitar playing all have such great emotion and soulfulness to them.

And IMO She's A Star and Rhythm Of The City are kick-ass Rockers.

Im glad you didn't feel slighted when I was a bit rough on the album, Journey/Survivor.

So you also don't get the saloon sound eh? Let me rephrase that HCD is a fantastic rocker as you say, I must agree with that. Its just hampered badly (don't tell your friend though, ) with the "saloon hiccup" When I first played it I was ecstatic...till you know what. Ah well. Must check on the solo part that your buddy likes of Sullivan's main middle of the song solo. Frankie's playing style appeals to me like one one else. Selfish on my part.

[Tito]

I just bought this CD last week and I have to admit so far...it ain't good. I'll listen a few more times but this album although harder is not doing it for me. Jamison's vocals are great and this may be Frank's best guitar work but so far it ain't happening.

[Red13JoePa]

Too Hot is a fantastic record.
Released to deafening silence in what was, pre Nirvana, ALREADY a bad climate for Survivor, but really what the fuck do people know about good music anyway?

[Cheryl]

I think it's one of their best cd's period. Burning Bridges? THTS is just killer....love to hear that one live. Didn' t Know It Was Love has to be my favorite off there tho. I had to laugh coz I am a huge Journey fan, really, moreso than a Survivor fan, til I heard Jimi sing one night live...lol..anyways, I'll tell you my Trial By Fire story....I too was so anxious to hear it, so I had my tape ready to record it off the radio whenever I was lucky enough to catch it, well, I had the stereo cranked to 11..lol...and was IN THE SHOWER when I heard the intro and I knew immediately it was Journey, I stood there naked as a jaybird listening and crying like a baby, to me, it was like there it is, the magic is back and it was...Trial By Fire might not be considered one of their best records but When You Love A Woman SHOULD have won that award instead of Toni Braxton, I was sooooooooooo pissed when they didn't win...but to come back after all those years and be nominated, well, I was proud to call myself a Journey fan. I haven't seen them since Augeri left, it was hard enough for me to accept any other singer other than Perry but once I met Steve Augeri and heard him, you can't help but like the guy, he's got to be one of the nicest guys' in the world. I am not crazy bout Arnel...everyone is entitled to their opinion but here's the difference....it's his dictation? is that the word I am looking for,not sure, but he doesn't complete the words, on the new songs that they wrote, I can't even understand what he's saying...it sounds like Perry warming up or trying to write a song and filling in the blank spaces with just...his voice. I am sure he is a nice guy too....still love the band and the memories but it'll never be Journey to me without Perry. And yes, I know Perry's voice has changed, flew to Cinncinati to hear him on his tour and was thrilled to see him, sad to hear him. The band wasn't worthy of that voice and I personally, just my opinion...think Steve was not happy either with the crowd reactions and I think that's the reason the tour ended before it was suppose to and all the cancellations...he's a perfectionist from what I hear and if he was going to do it, well, he wanted the best...just sad the way it all went down.

Back to Jimi's new cd....I don't see a lot of people talking bout it here...I think it's an awesome cd, woulda like a few more rockers on it but overall, his voice is in top form.

Ya'll have a good week~
Cheryl Ann

[jrnyman28]

I'll tell you my Trial By Fire story....I stood there naked as a jaybird listening

Cheryl Ann

To hell with the rest of the story, let's get more on THIS!!

Just kidding around!

[Joe Vana]

Back to Jimi's new cd....I don't see a lot of people talking bout it here...I think it's an awesome cd, woulda like a few more rockers on it but overall, his voice is in top form.

Cheryl Ann

I think it is a symptom of the industry as a whole.....plus all the hype in the world sometimes does not help a record, it actually hurts it ....when every album over the past few years is "as good as Vital Signs" it gets old as a comparison and loses it's bite.....especially when they are not...Jimi was in Survivor for a great run of tunes he sang...JP was in Survivor for almost all of their entire Legacy and CO-wrote ALL the material with FS....and FS has been through it all.....but even IF the 3 were together as a unit I doubt they would top that album or any of their albums....I Love FS to death, and respect JJ and my legacy with JP is well noted, but put the three together and you get a really good album....but not an album that trumps the old stuff when they were hungry and in their "creative period"....

ALMOST all the bands discussed on this site are guys 52 plus who have lives outside of music and have stopped to smell the roses of their success, and rightfully so....and some are still chasing the success of their past or rewriting history.....but I think this industry needs a facelift and some new blood and people should open their horizons to new stuff as well....the lables in this industry only sign bands who were big twenty years ago or guys who were in those bands....it was a great template a few years back, but I would say that is dying a slow hard death.....we need to mix it up and not be afraid of change....Hell. the JJ country album is just that, a change...growth by the artist....I am not saying everybody should go country, just that differnt stuff will help mix up the cake a bit....same ingrediants, same cake.....but NOBODY on here wants to move left or right...Shit, JP put out a Jazz album and regardlesss of what I think of it as an album NOBODY on here discussed it AT ALL....we only discuss 80's rock albums being put out in 2008....let's open up the floor a bit....

JV

[MarcelJordan]

Speaking of change, some bands actually did do that 21 years ago! Case in point- Mr. Mister. Their Go On album was no match to the success of Welcome To The Real but I dare say Go On is a better album. Yet, they suffered a backlash getting only a Grammy nomination but commercially a disappointing failure, IMO. Funny is that 20 years later, I think Mr. Mister if they released Go On now album now, it would be getting rave reviews (perhaps they may need to change their name though ) and a commercial success.

But in this industry, it would be more damned if you did, damned if you don't. Sigh.

Oh and Joe, I was listening to Mr. Mister's Bare My Soul. A catchy tune that I like much more now then back in '87. What are or were your picks from Go On?

[Red13JoePa]

ALMOST all the bands discussed on this site are guys 52 plus who have lives outside of music and have stopped to smell the roses of their success, and rightfully so.. but I think this industry needs a facelift and some new blood and people should open their horizons to new stuff as well....the lables in this industry only sign bands who were big twenty years ago or guys who were in those bands.... NOBODY on here wants to move left or right... we only discuss 80's rock albums being put out in 2008....let's open up the floor a bit....

I guess Survivor and Survivor alum rock records are what we like, so we talk about them.

Not intersted in Jamison going Nashville or Peterik doing jazz. Frankie doing a blues album, yes, that's a niche I can embrace.

But for the most part I'm only interested when they're doing rock/ rocknroll.

[Tito]

Back to Jimi's new cd....I don't see a lot of people talking bout it here...I think it's an awesome cd, woulda like a few more rockers on it but overall, his voice is in top form.

Cheryl Ann

I think it is a symptom of the industry as a whole.....plus all the hype in the world sometimes does not help a record, it actually hurts it ....when every album over the past few years is "as good as Vital Signs" it gets old as a comparison and loses it's bite.....especially when they are not...Jimi was in Survivor for a great run of tunes he sang...JP was in Survivor for almost all of their entire Legacy and CO-wrote ALL the material with FS....and FS has been through it all.....but even IF the 3 were together as a unit I doubt they would top that album or any of their albums....I Love FS to death, and respect JJ and my legacy with JP is well noted, but put the three together and you get a really good album....but not an album that trumps the old stuff when they were hungry and in their "creative period"....

ALMOST all the bands discussed on this site are guys 52 plus who have lives outside of music and have stopped to smell the roses of their success, and rightfully so....and some are still chasing the success of their past or rewriting history.....but I think this industry needs a facelift and some new blood and people should open their horizons to new stuff as well....the lables in this industry only sign bands who were big twenty years ago or guys who were in those bands....it was a great template a few years back, but I would say that is dying a slow hard death.....we need to mix it up and not be afraid of change....Hell. the JJ country album is just that, a change...growth by the artist....I am not saying everybody should go country, just that differnt stuff will help mix up the cake a bit....same ingrediants, same cake.....but NOBODY on here wants to move left or right...Shit, JP put out a Jazz album and regardlesss of what I think of it as an album NOBODY on here discussed it AT ALL....we only discuss 80's rock albums being put out in 2008....let's open up the floor a bit....

JV

I think Mecca could fill the void.

I agree overall. The 80's resurgent thing has had a hell of a run, over 10 years. Hell, it's lasted longer than the initial run. LOL
I think part of that is attributed to not only the music being great but the subsequent music of the 90's being total shit. It got a little better in the late 90's early 2000's but I think the last couple of years (excluding Nickelback and Buckcherry) have gone back to shit. Ironically, those two bands were part of the music improvement in that era (late 90's/early 00's).

If you recall, the 80's comeback started in the mid-90's, during the shit heyday. So, it came back anywhere from 6 to 10 years later after its peak. During a same time span and actually longer now, there isn't anyone clamoring for any 90's comeback (excluding Clinton ). Probably the only one that could really draw is Pearl Jam. In fairness, some of the "stars" from that era are dead but still no one clamors for the music by in large.

[Ehwmatt]

Ya know Tito, when it comes down to it, whatever cheese factor was involved in the AOR of the 80s is offset by the high level of talent that was present across the board in most of the popular AOR bands.

There is some good music from the 90s goin strong, generally the groups that had a strong sense of melody, good vocals, harmonies, etc... like the Gin Blossoms. Just saw them a couple weeks ago and they were great.

[Tito]

Well, I've listen to the THTS CD a couple of more times. Although it's starting to grow on me and is not as bad as I first thought, I would still say this is probably their weakest album in their prime era. I will say the positives are Jamison's strong vocals and this is probably Francis's best guitar work. The negative, and this is what may be holding the album back, is the keyboard playing/sound. Not to sound harsh but it was almost too cheesy. If anything, it's like the band progress to the harder sound but the keyboards are stuck in the VS or WSC era (if that). It doesn't fit the songs. I would say the lyrics don't grab as much on this album too. Maybe over time that will change but nothing yet.

Funny thing, I've seen people here talk about a western saloon part to HCD and I had no idea what they were talking about at first. After listening to it again, I hear what they are talking about but I actually like that. It's probably one of the better keyboard/piano parts to the whole album. The keyboard part I didn't like in the song is the keys solo. That' sounded too 80's beer commerical for me. Not that it's bad (especially for that time) but that didn't fit that song.

Now, before I bought this album I was already familiar with DD, DKIWL, & ATM. DD is one of my favorite Survivor songs and I grown to like DKIWL & ATM enough. So I had hope for this album before listening and then after the fact not writing it off completely since it took time for DKIWL & ATM to grow on me.

She's a Star is good hard rocking opening track but something is missing (common theme for me with the album's songs). Like I said DD is one of my favorites and will always be the best song off the album. THTS the song starts well until...well... the keyboard part. It's a good song and one of the better songs so I would say it's a keeper overall. DKITWL is pretty good. It took awhile for me to warm up to this at first when I initially heard it. In a way, it doesn't fit the album at least the chorus doesn't. Mostly because of the keyboards (sorry JP) and backup vocals. ROTC is a pretty good straight forward song. HCD I reviewed above. Ok but again something is missing (not keyboards fault this time). ATM is the ballad and is fine. Tracks 8 & 9 I need to listen more too to give a better review. Burning Bridges I was familiar with because I've heard it live in the 90's and on youtube. It's a good song and great closer, maybe should've been moved up in the sequence. I would say the live version from LaGrange was better than the studio version. Still good though.

Again, after a few more listens this is not as bad as I first thought but I would say it's still at the bottom of their catalog. It's a harder sound which I don't mind but they needed meater keyboards (if that's such a thing) to complete the sound. Hindsight 20/20 (no pun), I'm not sure this was the correct course for them to take. They may have been better off sticking with the formula of VS and WSC and going for the hit ballad. It worked for Cheap Trick, 38 Special, Bad English, Sheriff/Alias, and a couple of others during this time period.

[Tito]

Ya know Tito, when it comes down to it, whatever cheese factor was involved in the AOR of the 80s is offset by the high level of talent that was present across the board in most of the popular AOR bands.

There is some good music from the 90s goin strong, generally the groups that had a strong sense of melody, good vocals, harmonies, etc... like the Gin Blossoms. Just saw them a couple weeks ago and they were great.

Where at though? I know some still tour but they are not in the mainstream if you will. There isn't a major clamoring for that era. Hell, how many 80's compliations are there, just in the last 2 or 3 years alone. Nevermind, the last decade or so. There are very few 90's compliations. I would even submit there are more songs from the early 90's leftover melodic/hair metal era on compilations than the main genre of the 90's. Grant it those songs (hair metal) are usually on the 80's or related compilations but still.

In addition, as far as touring, how many tour packages focus on the 90's. I can't think of one. But, every year there are mulitple 80's related packaged tours...although I've noticed the number has slightly dwindle the last couple of years it seems.

As far as cheesy, don't read my more detail review of THTS above.