Well, is it safe to say, "The axe is back?" Or do we need to wait for the new Lizzy Borden? It is back to some extent in the form of another hard rocking, commercially-shunned talent bore from the eighties - as in "Lillian" out to re-sharpen their careers if only on a part-time basis with a "new" album of fairly recent unreleased material. On "Fields Of Yesterday," "Lillian Axe" seems to recount its earlier life with recognizable music that's firmly rooted in passion, melody and heavy hooks, more befitting of where they came from, however untold of where they're headed with it.

Except for their early 90's hit, "True Believer," from probably their best known "Poetic Justice" release, they fall into those ranks of relative unknowns as far as my knowledge. Speaking of "falling," categorize them along with the likes of the Babylon A.D.'s, or Nevada Beaches that had the desire, skill and knack for writing catchy material, but for whatever reason fell short on respect, and before long that crucial ingredient necessary for survival - attention.

It should not be discounted, however, that "Lillian Axe" had managed a lengthy existence, earning enough of a following over that course to decide to test their faith, or tempt fate, again with "Fields..." and the occasional show. Fans will instantaneously be drawn in the moment "Death Valley Daze" hits the speakers. Before long, "Do It," "Twilight In Hell" and the ballad "For Crying Out Loud" follow suit, and it'll seem like the band never left. Keeping in mind the music itself actually hasn't, considering when the songs were first written, and in whatever manner of production, this new issuance offers up enough reasons to be a true believer again.