For those not in the know, The Hollywood Stars are a group originally assembled by rock impresario Kim Fowley in 1973 that have announced the first-time issue of a “lost album” recorded in 1976.

In fact, during the 1970s, the glitter rockers toured with The Kinks and supported such artists as The New York Dolls, Iggy Pop, Ramones, and even disco legend Sylvester – while future superstars like Journey, Van Halen, The Runaways, Quiet Riot, and The Knack all opened shows for the Stars!

Furthermore, their 1974 debut album for Columbia Records remained shelved until 2013 and a 1977 album on Arista came and went without the attention it deserved.

But now, the aforementioned "lost album" Sound City arrives on CD and digital download via Burger Records on August 23rd, 2019.

A month prior to the album release, the newly-reformed Hollywood Stars will headline the world famous Whisky a Go Go in Hollywood, a venue at which the band was previously a top draw.

1. 'Sunrise On Sunset'
2. 'I Can't Help It'
3. 'Escape'
4. 'So Blue'
5. 'Too Hot To Handle'
6. 'All the Kids On The Street'
7. 'Habits'
8. 'Make It To The Party'
9. 'Shotgun'
10. 'Houdini of Rock and Roll'

Recorded at the legendary Sound City Recording Studios (immortalized by Dave Grohl in the 2013 documentary Sound City, and a recording home of artists ranging from Fleetwood Mac to Barry Manilow) has been unleashed and having listened to it twice through now I can confirm that it is a right royal doozy of sounds and emotive flashbacks!

'Houdini of Rock ‘n’ Roll,' 'Shotgun,' and the Merryweather-helmed version of 'Escape' all debut on Sound City with both 'Too Hot to Handle' and 'Habits' having previously been issued on a limited-edition 7" Vinyl Single back in 2017.

The five remaining cuts were all re-recorded for the 1977 Arista LP The Hollywood Stars produced by Harry Maslin (David Bowie, Melissa Manchester), but premiere here on Sound City in their original versions.

Of those my two personal favorites are the flashback gem 'All the Kids On The Street' (complete with its sly hand-clappin' bounce) and album opener 'Sunrise On Sunset.'

Both encapsulate exactly not only what this band were bringing to the table back then, but the quality of both their bandsmanship and their lyrics.

The Hollywood Stars’ renaissance will continue after they headline the world famous Whisky a Go Go with a newly-recorded album, which will feature fresh band compositions as well as songs penned by the late Mark Anthony.

“We all have a sense of unfinished business," says original member Scott Phares (vocals). “We’re looking forward to telling our story and playing to our fans—old and new."

"The band is currently deep into the process of writing a new record, which will feature brand-new Stars compositions as well as songs by Mark (Anthony).'

Official CD Purchase Link