We Misjudged Nelson & After The Rain
When Nelson released After The Rain in 1990, many hard rock and metal fans dismissed them as a manufactured band riding on image and major-label hype. But were we wrong?
In this episode of The Hair Metal Guru, we take a fresh look at Nelson’s debut album After The Rain and discuss our original impressions when it was released, how the band was perceived by rock fans at the time, and whether those opinions hold up today. We also explore the misconception that Nelson was a label-created act and talk about what we learned about the band’s musicianship and songwriting over the years.
Was After The Rain unfairly judged? Did Nelson deserve more respect than they received? Join the conversation and let us know your thoughts in the comments.
What did you think of Nelson back in 1990, and how do you feel about them today?
#Nelson #AfterTheRain #HairMetal #HardRock #RockMusic #90sRock #TheHairMetalGuru
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@Jeffdarr65
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
saw nelson with cinderella and lynch mob in toledo 1991 . good times
@scottmatthews4637
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Fantastic album. Actually I began writing an article for my music page about comparing this album to their third album – which was intended to be their 2nd album.
I think After the Rain put them on the map, but the label destroyed them by refusing to release the real 2nd album and instead forced them to write and record the bland lameness that became the sophomore record.
@pauldavis4287
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
The video for “Love and Affection” is one of the genre’s best! Nice to see all the fans coming out in the comments here!
@pauldavis4287
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I was fired up when I saw this post! I’ve been fighting the Nelson fight for decades. After the Rain is a pop metal classic. I’m reading their book and it’s hilarious! Glad to see them out touring. It’s Just Desire rocks!
@ericsatterfield3178
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
And being a drummer myself loved Bobby Rock was their drummer from Vinnie Vincent Invasion 🥁🤘
@ericsatterfield3178
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I saw them open up for Cinderella with Lynch Mob and thought they were great.My dad was a big Ricki Nelson fan.
@tracysarsycki7938
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Gotta see it this way. Rhey are third generation from entertainment royality Ozzie, Harriet, Ricky then them. In Rickys shadow as he was almost Elvis level in his prime. Then at that time with bands it became first stngle was slow song or ballad then second single super ballad. Plus the bubble gum pop on top. Did not have the cd. A ballad at that time for mr was Lovo Hate Love by AIC
@PapaToneWV
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
The song “two heads” by “ powertool” was cowritten by Dweezil Zappa. A lot of guitar players will definitely know that name
@TheKongZilla
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I saw their live tour, BUT we went for the opener – Enuff Z’Nuff. We hung out with Chip during their set. We walked over to this roped off section where he was sitting and he waived off security lol but I didn’t mind Nelson. I thought they were pretty good.
@Denimjedi
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
The moment I first heard Love and Affection, I was a fan. I was already a fan of their dad due to my parents, but they won me over with that first album. I would like to mention that there was a bside to one of the early singles for a song called Keep One Heart and that song is amazing. I did see them live last year, great show, but sadly, I wanted to hear more of their music than their dads,
@georgelarson594
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I remember when After the rain came out and the videos to the album were all over MTV. I still remember their Rockin performance on Arsinio Hall when they sang " its just desire"
I still have that After the rain album. and the Video compilation that went with it , i admit it. it still rocks today . Also it was cool they had ex Vinmie Since Invasion drummer Bobby Rock in their line up
@HillaryHeart-v3q
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I owned a copy of ATR when it came out, but I read their recent book and whew, it felt like Gunnar has an ax to grind with everyone (and it is crazy to notice that the video for L&A is almost a carbon copy of YGLABN…same director, so not surprise). They have a fun social media presence, so the negativity that came off in the book really surprised me.
@elway2k
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I remember seeing Nelson, on the After the Rain tour, with House of Lords. Good times!!!
@MascaraMasquerade
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
For a bunch of dudes that like Bon Jovi, how is there so much hate for More Than Ever? That song rips!! One of the best songs on this album!
@velldeak5195
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I misjudged em for a pair a' broads back in the day.
@lamontbogus27
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
"Bits & Pieces" is my favorite song on that album. I could relate to the lyrics. Whew, glad that relationship ended.
Yeah, I agree with y'all it's basically a pop rock album. People seem to hate/dislike/ make fun of pop but if that's true. How did they do so well? Sold so many albums? Someone was buying it.
Like one of y'all said it's just a guilty pleasure we sometimes need to shake up the dark/ heavier music we all like more. I think it's good to have an open mind to give music a chance.
Overall, it was decent for it's time & some songs still hold up today. It would be interesting to see an artist or rock group cover or have their interpretation(s) on it in 2026, but who would touch it? 🤷🏽♂️
Maybe, I will give those other releases a listen to. Appreciate the conversations either way. Y'all keep it rockin'!🤘🏽
@ShoutingatClouds75
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Really liked this album and there was quite a bit of promo here in Australia with them appearing on talk shows and doing acoustic versions of some of the album. They came across as down to earth and great guys but the image was both an asset and a liability for them. Think if the marketing was more in the Bryan Adams/Phil Collins arena it might have more longevity than trying to make them a hair metal/glam band.
@nitty_paraditty_drums
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I love the transition from, “I can hardly wait’tah” to the quick drum fill into After the Rain.
@stephanea5364
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Bit and Pieces, underrated gem from that record
@incantation521
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
You should give a listen to their concept album. Imaginator
@Dman425
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
They seem like good guys who refused to sell their soul
@HarleyBlevins-ik9zh
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
Just NO! FFS
@partaydiyprojectionscreens1452
June 5, 2026 at 3:53 pm
I just couldn't….I think a lot of it was the heavy play on the "twin" thing, but it played as a bubblegum version of hard rock for my gang of rockers. Bad timing as well
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