Is it possible that one man alone composed this amazing record? Certainly seems that way from the back scan, where presumably just the creator (keyboardist, guitarist, vocalist) Bryan Compton appears, minus his backing band. A complete paucity of information for this one in all databases.
Admittedly, it begins relatively inauspiciously with a very derivative Police or Cars-like opening song with that pumping bottom note and I - VIm - IV - V chord progression so ancient it's virtually paleolithic, merely an indication our mastermind hankered for commercial success, and for that we can't really blame him.
A5's Please Compromise is just magic prog AOR bliss, you can hear influences of Styx, Kansas, even Yes in the guitar/keyboard interplay of the middle section, plus the luxurious backup vocals (all Bryans I believe).
This is what I mean when I say Tom Hayes needs to keep up that ol' cd reissue wishlist.
On track B5, Reason Why? listen to that fabulous Boston-like guitarwork:
As if that weren't enough, check out how competent Bryan is / they are with the fast 'n' basic hard rock on track Slavedriver, recalling very much my old favourite from way back, Kickin' Starbound Lady:
Even has that Aerosmithy harmonica in it. I suppose the best template for this one though is the earliest Van Halen songs, back when Eddie really played some beautiful licks on his "frankenstrat" guitar next to David Lee Roth's tongue-in-cheek singing style.
As I said,
Ave Imperator, ROCKituri te salutant.
Thank you friends for these masterpieces. please keep 'em comin'.
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ReplyDeleteBrilliant! Total early 80s gem :) got a bad soft spot for this stuff, yes the early Van Halen for sure (with bassist Michael Anthony's essential to the Van Halen-sound backing vocals) and Yes in their prime came to mind (again the master Chris Squire's not only exceptional talent but his essential to the Yes-sound backing vocals)
ReplyDelete...couple tracks for some reason brought to mind one of my favorite, and criminally neglected bands, Cafe Jacques (if you aren't familiar with or don't have their 2 Lps: 1977's 'Round The Back' & 1978's 'International' seek them out at once!)
Thanks bro for another pleasant surprise!
Wow been away for a few and I see its been busy here!!!!
I gots me some serious catching up to do, but you will be hearing all about it :) :) like Steve Kimmel's music for a dance company?!?
A WERB!!! and some Japanese masterpieces of such beauty & brilliance,
we all deserve to take a moment of silence to honor the Master Julian and his wonderful generosity & dedication to sharing great works;
thus keeping great Art alive.
...A bright Light in a dark world of lies. From the heart :)
Not my kind of stuff (well, today at least !), but just wanted to pick up this sentence I liked:
ReplyDelete"I - VIm - IV - V chord progression so ancient it's virtually paleolithic"
=> agreed :D
Can you re-up this one also? Thankx!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.sendspace.com/pro/dl/kg5c56
ReplyDelete