Quiet Riot – Condition Critical (Release Year – 1984)
Condition Critical is the 2nd Quiet Riot disc featuring guitar player Carlos Cavazo.
This disc was not quite as successful, as the U.S. debut, Metal Health, but still managed to sell over 3 million copies.
I must admit that it has been quite some time since I have dusted off my copy of Condition Critical. This disc is a solid, but not stellar effort by the Quiet Riot crew of Kevin Dubrow, Carlos Cavazo, Rudy Sarzo, and Frankie Banali.
The first thing I noticed was the superb guitar playing of
Carlos on the opening track, Sign of the Times.
The songs Mama Weer All Crazee Now, and Party All Night are two of Quiet Riot’s biggest anthems ever, and are favorites of mine.
Stomp Your Hands, Clap your Feet is pure 80’s cheese. I can live without this song.
Winners Take All was Quiet Riot’s lone attempt at a power ballad on Condition Critical. I never have liked this song, and still dont.
The guitar sound on Condition Critical sounds a lot like a few of the songs Ozzy was releasing around the same time period. I can definitely hear Randy Rhoads influence on Carlos Cavazo on this song. I actually like it more today, than when I picked this disc up years ago.
Scream and Shout is one of the heaver songs on Condition Critical, and a pretty good one at that.
After listening to Red Alert again, I am surprised that Quiet Riot didn’t release this song as a single. It isn’t an amazing song, but could have possibly been a modest hit for the band back in the ’80’s.
Carlos Cavazo’s guitar playing is the highlight on Bad Boy. This track would just be average if not for his excellent guitar licks.
(We Were) Born To Rock is another throw away track to me.
Condition Critical is not the best rock record you will ever listen to, but its far from the worst. The hits on this record make up for some of the more average sounding tracks. Carlos Cavazo’s playing makes this a disc worth checking out.
Rating: 
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Sign Of The Times
2. Mama Weer All Crazee Now
3. Party All Night
4. Stomp Your Hands, Clap Your Feet
5. Winners Take All
6. Condition Critical
7. Scream And Shout
8. Red Alert
9. Bad Boy
10. (We Were) Born To Rock
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Hard Rock Hideout 
I totally agree with you about the song “Red Alert.” When I purchased this when it came out I thought if more people had heard that they might have had a little more success with this one. I thought for sure when I saw them on that tour they would play it live. Nope. The single never came out and I don’t think they ever played it live.