Mandatory Music and CD: Skid Row by Skid Row (1989)

Welcome to the first episode of Mandatory Music and CD the show where three friends reminisce about classic albums one song at a time culminating with a Classic Rock Rating. The debut episode featuring Max Byrne, Dave Horrocks and Tony Farina features one the best selling debut rock albums of all time: Skid Row is the debut studio album by American heavy metal band Skid Row, released on January 24, 1989, by Atlantic Records. After signing with manager Doc McGhee, Skid Row signed with Atlantic and began recording its debut. The album was recorded in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin with producer Michael Wagener, and received mixed reviews upon its release. The band toured behind the album mainly as an opening act, supporting Bon Jovi and Aerosmith in 1989–1990. The album peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 and was certified 5× platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) in 1995 for shipping five million copies in the United States. It generated four singles: "Youth Gone Wild", "18 and Life", "I Remember You" and "Piece of Me", all of which were accompanied by music videos and received heavy rotation on MTV.  The album's commercial and critical success made Skid Row a regular  feature in rock magazines and brought the group nationwide popularity. Please follow the show on Twitter. If you want to email the show we can be reached at MandatoryMusicAndCD@gmail.com. Let us know how you rate Skid Row's debut album. If it is the best album you've ever heard, it goes to Paradise City If it is really good, but not perfect, it spends time with Dr. Feelgood If it is solid, but not perfect, it goes to the Crossroads If it is mostly crap with a hidden gem or two, it goes to Skid Row If it is the worst album ever, it goes directly to Hotel California for all eternity where you can check out any time you like, but you can never leave. #mandatorymusicandcd