Category Archives: 1980
SOLID AIR
Take A Little Interest (Rio/Banana 500) 1980 UK * Producer I. A. J. Twydell’s fingerprints are all over this wonderful British foursome’s custom lp. Solid Air’s style contains elements of several Twydell projects: particularly the driving keyboard rock … Continue reading
Filed under (UK), 1980, 500, Rio/Banana, SOLID AIR, Take A Little Interest
LAST ADAM, THE
The Last Adam (TLA 7770) 1980 Lots of variety on this excellent custom Florida obscurity. For starters hardrock buffs will definitely salivate over driving cuts like ‘Receive It’, ‘Trips’, and ‘Remember That Name’, all of which register high … Continue reading
GERI BAIRD
Cool Age (New Born NB 7027) 1980 Canada * Cool indeed. New wave poprockin’ femme with a somewhat radical look – like she’d have no problem hangin’ with Blondie, Joan Jett and Pat Benatar. Musically she’s like a … Continue reading
GIANTKILLER
The Alternative (Torn Curtain RIP 001) 1980 UK * Although sometimes lumped in with UK punk/new wave groups like Bill Mason Band, Ishmael United and Moral Support, Giantkiller’s sound is a bit harder to pigeonhole. The music is … Continue reading
Filed under (UK), 1980, GIANTKILLER, RIP 001, The Alternative, Torn Curtain
DARRELL MANSFIELD BAND
Get Ready (Polydor PD-1-6288) 1980 Yes!!! Now this is more like it! Darrell’s mainstream release is a bluesy hard rock masterpiece that sports professional production while packing commercial punch. The band is certainly tight. Darrell delivering the lead … Continue reading
ALL SAVED FREAK BAND
Sower (War Again SO 165000) 1980 A superbly strong finish for the Freaks. Sower is in many ways their most mature and fully realized work, one that reveals more of a progressive classic rock attitude than their prior … Continue reading
ALBRECHT ROLEY & MOORE
Take It To The People (Spirit NDR-3004) 1980 Take It To The People would probably get my vote as their best album. They did away with most of the strings, added a few electric country rock edges, and … Continue reading
Filed under (USA), 1980, ALBRECHT ROLEY AND MOORE, NDR-3004, Spirit, Take It To The People
DAVE KELLY
Crowning Of A Simple Man (Pilgrim America R3757) 1980 Dave Kelly was one of the leaders of the group ‘Ark whose lone 1979album The Angels Come irresistibly blended British rock and pop with ’60s sounds. Crowning Of A … Continue reading
Filed under (USA), 1980, Crowning Of A Simple Man, DAVE KELLY, Pilgrim America, R3757
CHOSEN
Simple Things (Great Circle RGC-1049) 1980 Mostly light-rock and MOR/pop activity for this two-girl-and-a-guy Alabama outfit (only the girls sing). Three of the better tracks reminded me slightly of Living Sacrifice: the dreamy ballad ‘Elijah’s Mantle’, ‘Adequacy’ and … Continue reading
Filed under (USA), 1980, CHOSEN, Great Circle, RGC-1049, Simple Things
PILGRIM FRIARS, THE
Let Us Be One (Torch Record 201) 1982 Very nice fragile melodic folk custom from six Brothers of the Western Dominican Province, robed in white and benignly posing with guitar, upright bass, banjo, autoharp, bongos and mandolin. Heartfelt acoustic … Continue reading
Filed under (USA), 1980, 201, Let Us Be One, PILGRIM FRIARS, Torch Records
