Based on a True Story (The Del-Lords album)
# Based on a True Story (The Del-Lords album)

Based on a True Story is an album by the American band the Del-Lords, released in 1988 on Enigma Records. The band supported the album with a North American tour.

## Production

Recorded in Los Angeles, the album cost $120,000. It was produced by Neil Giraldo. Pat Benatar duetted with Scott Kempner on "Poem of the River".

## Critical reception

Professional ratings :

| Review scores ||
| - | - |
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic | |
| Chicago Tribune | |
| Robert Christgau | B+ |

The Washington Post wrote that "Kempner spreads on the working-class persona a little thick at times, but this is still the equal of any previous Del-Lords set." The Toronto Star deemed the album "a rip-snorting, noisy, trashy little garage opus."

The Chicago Tribune determined that "the album, energy and polish notwithstanding, emerges as a good but not great package with a faintly 'generic' feel." The New York Times concluded that "the straightforward, stomping rock songs on the band's third album ... insist on independent thinking and truthfulness."

## Track listing

All songs written by Scott Kempner.

## Personnel

### The Del-Lords

* Scott Kempner – lead vocals, guitar
* Eric Ambel – guitar, vocals, keyboards on "The Cool and the Crazy" and "River of Justice", lead vocals on "Judas Kiss" and "A Lover's Prayer"
* Manny Caiati – bass guitar, vocals
* Frank Funaro – drums, vocals

### Additional musicians and production

* Scotty Bem – gong
* Pat Benatar – backing vocals on "Judas Kiss" & "Poem of the River"
* Lenny Castro – percussion
* Spyder Curtis James – keyboards on "Judas Kiss", "Poem of the River" and "Ashes to Ashes"
* Frank Linx – vocals on "Cheyenne", "Whole Lotta Nothin' Goin' On", "A Lover's Prayer", "Judas Kiss" and "River of Justice"
* Rev. Mojo Nixon – sermon on "River of Justice"
* Johnny Powers – harp on "River of Justice" and "A Lover's Prayer"
* Kevin Savigar – keyboards on "Whole Lotta Nothin' Goin' On" and "Poem of the River"
* Kim Shattuck & Karen Blankfeld of The Pandoras – vocals on "The Cool and the Crazy"
* Syd Straw – backing vocals on "Judas Kiss", "River of Justice" and "Ashes to Ashes"
* Gordon Fordyce – engineer
* Michael Frondelli – mixing
* Neil Geraldo – production
* Assistant engineers: Bill Cooper, Angus Davidson, Scott E. Gordon
