Andy Taylor “Thunder” 1987. Today, February 16th, is Andy Taylor’s 65th birthday (b. 1961). Thunder is the former, then not, then former again Duran Duran guitarist’s debut solo LP and it is basically nothing like Duran Duran – hard rock with metal shreds (Sex Pistols’ Steve Jones helps Andy out on guitar but I’m not entirely sure which of the two is responsible for those solos). Always-Duranie’s like myself were always aware that Andy really just wanted to rock but was restrained by the new wave/synthpop (in the 80’s at least) of Duran Duran’s sound. He totally lets loose of all that pent up energy on Thunder. It’s got big 80’s hair metal oozing everywhere, including the ubiquitous cheesy metal ballad (“Life Goes On“). While now out of print, the record did pretty OK upon its release in ’87, going to #46 in the US and to #61 in the UK (though I imagine at least two-thirds of the purchases were by rapid Duranies who were mightily disappointed – not necessarily expecting Duran but at least a Power Station vibe, which they did not get on Thunder). As much as I love Andy, I do not really care for Thunder (but will absolutely keep in our collection). The title track is formulaic 80’s hard rock: “Thunder” is fine but sounds like about 10 other songs released between ’86-’88, same with tracks like “Night Train” with their kinda forced anthemic vibe that could be by Whitesnake, Bon Jovi or any other harder edged 80’s rock band. The singles released, which include “I Might Lie” (US Rock chart #17)” the aforementioned “Life Goes On” (which only charted in Italy), and “Don’t Let Me Die Young.” That last one went to #36 on the rock chart and Steve Jones shares songwriting credits with Taylor. There is a lot of shredding on it and the video has the requisite 80’s ripped jeans and big big big hair.