All I Know - "Stiletto Nightmare"

Twelve years later in 2022 a deluxe edition of the album appeared, and now, 14 years after that debut, All I Know release their “Stiletto Nightmare EP”.

Hailing from Belgium, All I Know produce a slick commercial hard rock balanced on the fine edge between glam and sleaze. The songs on the EP (three originals and a cover) will whisk the listener back to the mid-eighties when this kind of rock music ruled the world.

The EP opens strongly. ‘(Can’t Get You) Outta My Head’ is a strong opener. Leading in with the sort of keyboard intro that Europe would have been proud of circa ‘Out of This World’ the first thing that strikes you is the strong vocals from Vanrysselberghe Veerle and how well they are supported by the harmonizing from guitarist Ward Dufraimont, drummer Kurt Deramoudt.

The song itself is a typical tale of meeting that lady who you can’t stop thinking about. 

It’s a mid-tempo rocker with a stirring solo from lead guitarist Joris Van Poucke. Ward Dufraimont provides sustained riffing and David Goetheyn’s keyboard playing drives the melody home.

It’s the kind of strong start that an EP needs.

There’s no credit I could find but ‘As Long as The Night Goes On’ adds in female vocals too. It’s a solid classic rock love song, and would appeal to fans of Journey, Europe, Bryan Adams, and early Bon Jovi.

There’s good work on this track from the band’s rhythm section, James de Jonghe on Bass and Kurt Deramoudt on drums. They sound much more prominent on this track than on the guitar/keyboards attack of ‘(Can’t Get You) Outta My Head’.

The female vocals are front and center again on ‘Playing with Fire’. There’s a bit more sonic propellent to this track. The riffs zip along and Joris Van Poucke lead guitar is given a slightly longer solo to stretch out in. Putting the elements all together adds up to a catchy groover that even throws in some wooohhhoooos throughout the song to get the audience singing and dancing along.

The EP is completed by ‘Hidin' from Love ‘. David Goetheyn’s keyboard is at the forefront of this track with the incessant repeating of the melody line being annoyingly catchy. 

Those of you with long memories may find this track tickling your memory cells. It’s a cover of a song that appeared way back in 1980 on Bryan Adams self-titled debut album.

And that’s it. All I Know have delivered four tracks of high-quality classic rock. The strong melodies and excellent playing stand out. The production does a good job of getting the right balance of all the elements. Short, sharp rock music that makes you want to play it again.

Hopefully there’ll be more new music from All I Know soon.

Label: Juvenile Records

Released: Digital only 1st September 2024.

Personnel

Ward Dufraimont Vocals, Guitar

Vanrysselberghe Veerle Vocals

Joris Van Poucke Lead Guitar

James de Jonghe Bass

David Goetheyn Keyboards

Kurt Deramoudt Drums, Vocals

Tracks

1. (Can't Get You) Outta My Head   

2. As Long as The Night Goes On   

3. Playin' With Fire   

4. Hidin' From Love