TOO SHORT ON TIME, BUT GOOD WHILE IT LASTED--MR. MISTER
Veeman | Bloomington, IL | 08/13/2000
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This 1980s band that started out as a jazz ouftit has a greatest hits compilation that touchs the high points of their short pop career. From "I Wear The Face" to "Go On," this L.A. band had a unique sound that has not been copied since. Granted, their success has more critical than monetary, but they opened our eyes to "Welcome to the Real World." "Broken Wings" was the first real hit that grabbed the masses attention, along with "Kyrie" and "Is It Love." But look back to the first pop album and remember "Hunters of the Night" and "32" and that's where their jazz influence comes in. "Hunters of the Night" was a Top 100 hit in 1984, but got lost in the shuffle that year to Bruce Springsteen and "Born In The USA." "32" reveals a never-ending freefall thru the stratosphere, while "Code Of Love" tells of how lovers hurting each other by going thru personal diaries. In fact, every time I listen to "I Wear The Face," I still am amazed that a jazz band who was trying to go in a different direction could sound this good. The selections from "Welcome to the Real World" show how Mssrs. Page, George, Farris and Mastolotto polished their skills and wrote with a different perspective. "Kyrie," which takes its name from a part of worship in the Catholic and Orthodox church," is not necessarily a religious song. As Richard Page sang "Somewhere between the solid and soft machine/That's wear I find myself again," he speaks of having his own ups and downs in life, and wants to cling to a comfort level that he knew previously in life. "Black/White" is addressing the everyday reality of that things do change by stating, "Love is so strange/love is so strange/when we change from black to white." Also, the third album covered in this compilation shows how the band started to return to its jazz roots, and switched guitarists when Steve Farris left and Buzz Feitshans took over. From the first track, "Stand and Deliver," the latter's guitar riffs takes band back to where they came from. "Something Real" also gives a follower of the band the implication that the band was sounding more and more like "I Wear The Face." But the climax of it all comes with "Go On," which bears meaning that the band's music was crossing back over to jazz. Unforunately, it also marked the end of a good band. Where are they now...I'd like to know, but we have their music to listen and remember."
Track Listings (16) - Disc #1