Yacht Metal Review
Yacht Metal
Cleopatra Records
2025
Cleopatra Records always seem to have an ace up their sleeve and a wild notion ready to unleash. Their latest stroke of madness? A compilation called Yacht Metal. What the hell is that? Imagine your favorite Glam and Metal heroes tackling the Soft-Rock staples your parents used to hum along to, or the stuff you typically hear in elevators when they’re feeling fancy and skip the classical playlist.
On paper, the concept sounds like a full-blown dumpster fire. I honestly expected one when the announcement email hit my inbox earlier this year. But I clicked play anyway… and damned if it didn’t work. In fact, it was fantastic.
I’ll admit, there are several songs on here I’d never heard before, Yacht and Soft Rock were practically banned in the households I grew up around. But surprisingly, there isn’t a single dud. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I absolutely adore this album. It hits with that late-80s swagger yet feels fresh, thanks to crisp, modern production. It gives a whole new meaning to “cheese music”, this thing is pure cheddar, proudly and unapologetically so.
Highlights - there’s Plenty.
- Babylon A.D. take on Rod Stewart’s “Sailing.” I’m a Stewart junkie, but this track was never one I revisited often. I’ve always been more of a “Hot Legs” guy. Yet B.A.D. absolutely slay it. Rod would be proud.
- Ronnie Romero & Britt Lightning ignite Rupert Holmes’ “Escape (The Pina Colada Song).” This tune still gets ridiculous radio play, and I’ve always been amused by its bonkers storyline. This version gives it the punch and polish it always secretly needed.
- Joe Lynn Turner & Marcus Rand revitalize Blues Image’s “Ride Captain Ride.” This one was born to be a big, swaggering classic-rock earworm, and they deliver exactly that.
- Graham Bonnett & Bumblefoot Metal-up Bill Withers’ “Just the Two of Us.” I’ve heard the original more times than I can count; this version is a much smoother sip.
- Marq Torien, Mick Box & Bob Daisley jump headfirst into the Doobie Brothers’ “Takin’ It to the Streets.” I’ve always disliked the song, vehemently, but Torien’s vocals are lethal. I should’ve known not to doubt him.
- Even Yacht-Rock royalty Captain & Tennille get roughed up as George Lynch & Lorraine Lewis tear into “Love Will Keep Us Together.” It’s 1987 all over again in the best possible way.
- “Fooled Around and Fell in Love” might not be pure Yacht Rock, but Doogie White & Ross the Boss give it a worthy treatment. Hard to beat Elvin Bishop’s version, but this holds its own.
- The biggest shocker: Tim “Ripper” Owens & Vinnie Moore tackle Exile’s “Kiss You All Over.” I grew up hearing this thanks to my brother and his wife, and I absolutely hated it. Still do, honestly. But in true Ripper fashion, he steps up and crushes it. Blistering falsettos included. Good on him for diving in without hesitation.
My only complaint? Nobody covered Air Supply’s “Making Love Out of Nothing at All” or Christopher Cross’s “Arthur’s Theme (Best That You Can Do).” Add those tracks and I’d be over the edge, happily.
Yacht Metal drops the week before Christmas, making it the perfect gift for that Metalhead in your life who secretly sneaks off and listens to Yacht Rock when no one’s around. Vinyl and CD, naturally. I can already think of a few friends who’ll love this as much as I did. It’s not going to become my daily soundtrack, but my wife prefers Yacht Rock over most of what I blast, so this might just bring peace to the household.