Limited Edition Japanese pressing of this album comes housed in a miniature LP sleeve. 2008.

2009-04-01 -- 5/5:: Brilliant record - an all-time favorite
For those who want to take a walk down memory lane and remember the glory days of glam rock, this is THE album to purchase. Hanoi could match or beat the best of their contemporaries - while also injecting a hefty dose of clever sarcasm in their lyrics that I've never heard anyone else do with such incredible flair.

There is no way to really describe their style, as it defies any typical or accepted genre - they were in a class by themselves. Having said that, this album is a showcase of some of the edgiest, most maniacal stuff you will ever become addicted to.

2006-10-19 -- 5/5:: Beyond Great!!!
It is truly heartbreaking that such a wonderful record would ultimately become the band's swan song! Listening to it, I get the same feeling as when I'm listening to Ozzy's "Diary of a Madman", thinking about what Randy Rhoads could have achieved... This was the last studio album from the original incarnation of Hanoi Rocks, which was tragically cut short by the reckless and irresponsible behavior of a drunk driver, whose name I won't even mutter in order to avoid promoting the guy.

Anyway...melancholy and anger aside, "Two Steps from the Move" is probably Hanoi Rocks shiniest moment: released through a major label, produced by a big name producer, chock-full of great songs, featuring fantastic playing... This should've been as big as "Appetite for Destruction" but...After struggling for many years, coming all the way from frigid Finland, establishing themselves as a competent band in the London club circuit and independently releasing 4 studio albums and a live record, the band was primed for world domination.

They went to Vancouver to work with their dream producer, Bob Ezrin (famous for his production of Alice Cooper's finest work, a major influence for HR) and came up with this jewel. Ezrin managed to extract the best out the band as a whole and as individual players as well, and the sound is punchy and aggressive, yet perfectly suited for radio airplay. I have to admit that it took me a little longer to diggest this album in comparison with their previous records, which essentially became instant hits in my collection, and that was probably because the production is more refined and focused, whereas their previous work was mostly fueled by their sheer energy and enthusiasm. Not to say that they were lacking songwriting before, or that this record lacks spontaneity, but simply that this records takes the best of both worlds.

The record opens with an awesome rendition on CCC's "Up Around the bend" that I personally prefer over the original. Next is "High School", which is a bit of a departure from vintage Hanoi Rocks, not so much in the music, but mostly in the nature of its lyrics: songs lyrics such as "Don't Follow Me", "Café Avenue", "Sweet Home Suburbia", etc, frequently depicted the lifestyle of the outsider with an almost tragic undertone, and therefore had an undeniable appeal to them; this one rather tackles the typical (and somewhat topical) teenage feelings of awkwardness that were very common for 80's bands. I'm guessing that was probably Ezrin's doing. But after a while, the song grew on me; "I can't get it" takes us back to Hanoi Rocks familiar lyrical content, and the track is a slow burner that really cooks; "Underwater World" has the distinction of using the phrase "welcome to the jungle" some 4 years before that other L.A band...what was their name...? sorry, I seem to have misplaced it somehow...

"Don't Ever Leave me" is a new arrangement of the classic "Don't Never Leave Me" from their independent debut, and while I do like it, I still prefer the original's raw beauty. But then comes the crown jewel: "Million Miles Away" is a sax infused, poignant ballad that changes its beat and pace right in the middle to go in an excursion into the realm of gypsy music (guitarist/songwriter Andy McCoy is of gypsy lineage), already experimented in earlier songs such as "Kill City Kills", "Sweet Home Suburbia" and "Village Girl". "Boulevard of Broken dreams" is somewhat reminiscent of AC/DC, and it's a fantastic track; the lyrics to "Boiler" could have easily been written by Bon Scott, and I'm sure Bon himself would be proud, as it reaches new highs (or lows, depending on where you stand...) with its horny male imagery; "Futurama" is a fast and furious track, little bit of a detour as well, expressing similar thoughts, obsessions and concerns as "High School", but great overall, and the final "Cutting Corners" is a fitting conclusion for the record, with a rather festive swagger.

All in all, this is my #2 favorite Hanoi Rocks record, second only to "Self Destruction Blues", but I must admit that I am a tad biased, Hanoi Rocks being my all-time favorite band. Simply put, they were the best!!!! If you like their previous work, this is a must, and if you're looking for a first taste of the band, this is probably the best place to start.

2005-12-28 -- 3/5:: Average effort here!
Since I do not like to write "long" reviews, I'll say this and be done. This CD is "average" to me because I like my "Metal" a little harder and a little more sinful, a.k.a, Motley Crue, Ratt...etc. I feel this would be great CD for the casual / occasional metal listener who's not a die-hard like many of us!! Bottom line....if you like harder, dirty metal, you are not going to find it here!

2005-05-05 -- 5/5:: MOVE!!!
This album was brought to my attention because another band I like said they grew up to this band. I wanted to see if there was a connection, and musically there isn't. But that didn't stop me from growing some love for Hanoi Rocks. The album is incredibly sweet. Glam Rock or Sleaze Metal, Hanoi Rocks has some really kickin' riffs. The melodies in their song are awesome, it isn't too intense or too soft, it's just beautiful music. Blending some sounds of the 70's with the 80's metal craze that they came from. "Don't You Ever Leave Me" is one of the greatest songs on this album. "High School" is a hilarious metal song to just jam to. The playing on this album is not the most intense, but it's enough to make you cruise down the highway at 90 and above, to let your hair fly to the wind. Forget comparing these guys to anyone else, Hanoi Rocks is in a class of their own. Don't get it twisted!

2005-02-13 -- 5/5:: Two Steps From The World
I had to write this review...as the review below this one has a tonne of mistakes...so here are the corrections:

The band, founded in 1979, not 1980.
Michael MOnroe, not Munroe - real name Matti Fagerholm
Andy McCoy - real name Antti Hulkko
Nasty Suicide - real name Jans Stenfors
Sam Yaffa, not Jaffa - real name Sami Takamaki
Gyp Casino, not Gypsy - real name Jesper Sporre

Hanoi did not tour America til the fall of 84, not 83.
'Two Steps From The Move' was released in 1984, not 83.
Razzle died on Dec 8th, not November 9th.
Demolition 23 was Nasty, Sam and Mike. Not Andy and was 94, not 1990.

Also, to the Motley Crue fan who wrote the silly review (several reviews below) in an attempt to shock or alienate the Hanoi fans...you need new material. YOur attempt was lame. It's all been done before. We all know the truth. Vince has never apologized and by his own admission, deserved more punishment. And no, no one forced Razzle into the car.

So yeah...go get Two Steps...still my fave LP by anyone, anytime.