"You Got What It Takes" by 2 Die 4

It was really easy for a band to fall between the cracks in the uncertain musical landscape of 1992. Hair bands were going gray fast and a few Seattle bands were unleashing a new sound called grunge that was rapidly taking over the airwaves.

2 Die 4 was a band from Oxfordshire that is really hard to describe. Best classified as a hard rock band (they did open for W.A.S.P.), their look was somewhere between Poison and Trixter, but their lyrics contained a bit more depth than your average hair band. Their Prince-like name and odd album cover probably didn't do them any favors either.

The one and only record released by "2 Die 4" in 1992.

Back in 1992, MTV still played music videos, and if you stayed up late you might have heard this infectious gem called "You Got What It Takes".

The song and consequently the album didn't get any traction, but "You Got What It Takes" sticks in my head all day long if I happen to hear it. "Sorry I Broke Your Smile" is another great cut, more of a mid-tempo rocker. Other highlights include the rock anthem "Living For The Moment" (check out the Kiss-inspired gang vocal on the chorus) and the power ballad "How Can You Believe In Love".

2 Die 4 was probably just a day late to the melodic hard rock party of the late 80s.