NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

  "PARALLEL LINES" 1978 HANGING ON THE TELEPHONE - That unmistakeable telephone ringing intro kicks off and Debbie Harry sings her first line while the pumping drumbeat and New Wave sounds back her up.  An absolute classic Power Pop song.  Searing Punk guitars and Debbie's amazing vocals made this a massive hit all over the globe.  This third album made superstars of the band and forerunners of female fronted Rock bands in the future. ONE WAY OR ANOTHER - The original version (not to be confused by the shocking cover by One Direction!).  This is a gritty, angry vocal by Debbie and its catching up with Blondie's Punk Rock roots.  Inspired by one of Debbie's ex-boyfriend's who stalked her.  Its slightly scary and musically brilliant.  PICTURE THIS - One of my favourite Blondie tracks.  Debbie delivers a lovely, sweet vocal over a New Wave backing, some nice guitar riffs and a steady, almost Rock N' Roll drumbeat.  Classic Blondie and a massive hit all ove

"QUEEN" 1973 KEEP YOURSELF ALIVE - The debut single opens this first album by the band.  It remains the only single not to chart in the UK and was pretty much ignored.   It sounds like an experimental track with many genres intertwined, Glam, Progressive and Hard Rock.  Its still a great track though. DOING ALRIGHT - A stop-start track in the vein of Meatloaf.  It is an extravagant dramatic operatic style song changing places with aggressive guitar solos at intervals in the song.  It's soft, emotional vocals from Freddie Mercury kind of get lost when the Hard Rock parts kick in.  Not one of my favourites. GREAT KING RAT - Awesone Classic Rock track, lots of searing guitars and pure rocked up vocals.  Reminds me of very early Europe, its got that raw, live feel. MY FAIRY KING - Piano, guitars and drums mix that doesn't really hit it for me.  You either do it right like Meat Loaf or not at all.  Its an ok song but nothing great, a little bit too twee for a Rock ban

 "ALL OVER THE PLACE" 1984 HERO TAKES A FALL -  The debut single from this first album only reached number 96 in the UK chart but its a great introduction to the band.  This is The Bangles sound, sparkly guitars, breathy vocals from Susanna Hoffs, gorgeous harmonies and melodies and a punkish cheekiness of good old fashioned Rock and Roll.  New Wave Pop Rock at its best. LIVE - This track is a great 60s styled Psychedelic New Wave track covered from the American Rock band The Merry-Go-Round.  A nice, laid back foot tapper which drummer Debbi Peterson delivers with aplomb. JAMES - Another genre explored as this is a twangy guitar styled Country Pop Rock song that oozes class. ALL ABOUT YOU -  The multi-talented band give us Vicki Peterson on vocals this time.  This is a fast paced almost bluesy Rock and Roll number that has a catchy chorus, slightly repetitive lyrically but its just so cool a song to be spoilt by this. DOVER BEACH - Susanna takes back the vocals reins here

"WANDERING SOUL"   2018 FOLLOWER - The opening track sounds like a ZZ Top/90s Grunge hybrid.  Awesome Blues Rock guitars and drums backing with vocalist Juliette Tworsey's snarling vocals akin to someone like PJ Harvey make this a stomping intro!     SINNER - Classic 70s style Rock with slight hints of Blues and Country and also Progressive Rock.  A bit of everything make this a great track. WINE, WATER AND BREAD - One of my favourites by the band, a Blues Rock slow tempo tune with hints of 60s and 70s Psychedelic leanings.  Superb track.     WANDERING SOUL - The title track reminds me a little of Paloma Faith, an almost funky Jazz/Blues style midtempo jam that emphasises the creativity of the band to sample many genres. THE RIVER - Early 70s Progressive Rock takes centre stage here with hints of hippie style Psychedelia effects and echoes.  Experimental and is almost like early Heart or Fleetwodd Mac. FOOL LIKE ME - A raw

"JOURNEYS TO GLORY" 1981 TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT - The opening track and debut single was the epitomy of the New Romantic Pop phenomenon that took over the first couple of years in the 80s.  The Synth New Wave sound, medieval like percussion and Tony Hadley's big booming vocal are just fantastic. REFORMATION - An almost repetitive, rhyming lyric over a typically 80s Electronic Synth Pop backing.  Again there is a dark, almost eerie medieval sound running through the track.  Catchy in a strange way, but great track. MANDOLIN - A little more anthemic and bigger sound to the previous tracks and with a funky bassline that hits the mark.  A mix of Ultravox pomp and Soft Cell vocals.  Not a single but I love this track. MUSCLEBOUND - A New Wave track, a slow tempo backing track with Tony giving it his all to lifet it to new heights, then the annoyingly catchy chanted chorus kicks in and you can't help but sing along. AGE OF BLOWS - The equivale

"WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME" 1984 WELL.../THE WORLD IS MY OYSTER/SNATCH OF FURY - This serves as a teaser for what is to come.  A small medley of sorts with siren-like singing, mysterious ancient film extracts and Holly Johnson announcing the world is his oyster and giving us his best maniacal laugh!.  Weird, eerie and unusual, just what we wanted from their debut album! WELCOME TO THE PLEASUREDOME - This 13 minute version is a riveting listen, just what you expected, the unexpected! It was cinematic, chanting abound, little instrumental breaks ending with another maniacal laugh and a little Holly giggle having fun.  This was Frankie's "Bohemian Rhapsody" epic. RELAX - A Disco and Club classic, numerous versions and remixes and a debut Number 1 for the band.  Pumping beat throughout with Holly's unique vocals.  Always about gay sex but initially the band's media claimed it was about "feeling good and just relax".  The

 "AUTOBAHN" 1975 AUTOBAHN - The debut single from this album that reached number 11 in the UK chart and is also the title track.  At over 22 minutes long this epic song takes more than half of the album's entire length.  It kicks off with an engine starting, merging into a quirky and easy going Pop Synth intro.  At the 9 minute mark it hits a sc-fi styled Electronica with vocoded effects.  It ends with a nice, melancholic, atmospheric vibe. KOMETENMELODIE 1 - This is an eerie sounding track with lots of whirrs and whistles and with a very dark tone.  Reminding me of the scary sci-fi TV programmes growing up! I think this translates as Comet Melody. KOMETENMELODIE 2 - The slight intro is similar to the previous track but a bright and breezy Synth Pop sound is added to give it a real uplifting ambience.   MITTERNACHT - I believe this translates to "Midnight", German viewers please accept my apologies if my translations are off! A very dark and moody track that