STARZ
Back in Action: Live 2003 DVD
Music Video Distributors 2006
www.starzcentral.com

What’s the 4-1-1?
After 20 years of hiding, the original line-up of Starz returned to the stage for a U.S. tour in 2003.

Genre
Hard rock / AOR / classic rock

The Good
I was first introduced to Starz on a Metal Blade Records compilation a few years back. I was surprises for two reasons; I was surprised that they weren’t actually a metal band, and I was surprised at how good they were. Describing their sound is easy, it falls right in line with late seventies arena rockers like Boston, Foreigner, and Bad Company. They keep that sound alive on Back In Action. Although the band members show their age, their music is still as fresh and catchy as it was the day it was originally released.

Shot during a small bar show in 2003, Starz nail 19 of their most popular and demanded hits including “Fallen Angel,” “Detroit Girls,” “Tear it Down,” and “Cherry Baby.” Hands down the best performance is “Waiting on You/Coliseum Rock.” It’s a memorable track because it blends Starz signature sound with some classic arena rock songs that they grew up listening to. The jam session that rounds on the song is simply phenomenal.

The Bad
Besides the fact vocalist Michael Lee Smith looks like they just woke him up before the show, there’s not much to complain about. However, Smith probably should have worn black (instead of orange) like everyone else. Nothing says rock like a bright orange T-shirt.

The Verdict
Back in Action is a killer rock show from a forgotten rock band. Starz delivers the goods from beginning to end without skipping a beat. I only wish they’d release a CD version of this performance.

Did You Know?
Starz released their first album in 1976, simply titled Starz.

Rating: out of 5

--George Dionne