American Exce$$

by Whitney Z. GomesDeviled by the faithful because of the ousting of bucolic belter John O'Daniel for the straight-up, straight-ahead pipes of Bubba Keith, perennial supporting act Point Blank did snag some chart action with American Exce$$, but ultimately the album proved a hollow victory as the band fell off the map, labeled another faceless AOR '80s entry. Remnants of the Southern '70s party band do remain for the drug dude epic "Cadillac Dragon," the rockin' breaks in closer "Do It All Night," the violent vengeance of "Walk Across the Fire," and the dangerous outlaw tune "Getaway" (mislabeled "Gateway" on several pressings). The playing smokes throughout, and the record maintains surprisingly consistent quality, but this is ultimately more Toto than ZZ Top. "Let Me Stay With You Tonight" and flash smash "Nicole" are innocuous and incredible radio bursts lost forever. So if Reagan-era FM is your bag, dig deep, for the hooks on the hopelessly obscure American Exce$$ haven't rusted. Point Blank held out for one more LP, On a Roll, but alas, the band's gravy train never came.