Search - Richard Thompson :: Amnesia

John S. from OAKVILLE, CT
Reviewed on 10/1/2010...

Thompson released a string of albums that, to me, defied a near-epidemic of the 1980s . . . Simply put, a lot of vapid, castrated musical drivel oozed from the pop-culture sore that was the infamous decade in question. Richard Thompson is one of the few artists who did not bend to the pressures of synthesizers, ridiculous fashion gimmicks and bland if not idiotic writing that defined most musical acts of that time. "Amnesia" is another wholly satisfying, literate and skillfully composed album by one of the most creative, talented and consistent artists still working today. The album, as always, is varied and extremely well-rounded; and stand-out tracks include GYPSY LOVE SONGS, JERUSALEM ON THE JUKEBOX, DON'T TEMPT ME and YANKEE GO HOME. If you like this era in Thompson's work, look for "Shoot Out The Lights, Hand Of Kindness, Across A Crowded Room & Daring Adventures," if you haven't already.

-JS

Incapable of anything except artistic excellence

dev1 | Baltimore | 05/29/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If Richard Thompson releases a mediocre album, I want someone to tell me immediately because I believe that he's incapable of anything except artistic excellence. Amnesia includes some of Thompson's most moving and breathtaking compositions to date. `Gypsy Love Songs' is a rocker to end any argument that Thompson is among the finest composers and guitarist ever. It's angry, brooding, haunting and thunderous. Mickey Curry bludgeons the drum kit (on par with the great Jim Keltner) like a pile driver, Thompson's guitar solos are sterling, and Jerry Scheff's bass lines could shake granite. Either Jim Keltner or Mickey Curry on drums, and Tony Levin on base lay down a bulletproof rhythm on the other rockers (Jerusalem On The Jukebox, Don't Tempt Me), while Thompson interjects improvising and mesmerizing guitar lines. `Yankee Go Home' is an uplifting cheerful ride except for Thompson's lyrics - yes, he's angry.The antithesis to Thompson's electric rockers and customarily cynical lyrics is the light and acoustic solo `Waltzing's For Dreamers.' Here, pessimism is replaced by longing and loneliness. Christine Collister is the only woman on Amnesia: her backup vocal harmonies amplify rather than contradict Thompson's gruff voice and irate delivery. For Richard and Linda followers, `I Still Dream' is especially poignant. Although the magic of `Shoot Out The Lights' may never happen, Amnesia contains more than a fare share of enchantment.Technical Note: Not mentioned on the accompanying written material, I suspect this is a DDD release. Check the cymbals and top-hat on `I Still Dream' and `Can't Win.'"

Apt title for a long out of print and almost forgotten album

ewomack | MN USA | 09/26/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Sadly, most of Richard Thompson's amazing catalogue lies smouldering in the out of print bin. Since the 1970s he has consistently put out great material, but a mass audience never wafted up from the general populace. When Capitol signed Thompson they probably saw mass appeal, hits, and the next big critical and commercial success. In the mid late 1980s music rags announced Capitol's huge marketing campaign designed to haul Thompson from obscurity to stardom. Almost instantaneoulsy, Thompson's face appeared plastered in record stores, in music magazines, and the occasional television appearance. "Amnesia" belongs to this era, and Capitol pulled out plenty, if not all, of the stops to market it. Somehow the album stalled despite the strength of its contents. The 1991 follow-up "Rumor and Sigh" found Capitol getting what it wanted out of Thompson, but some ten years later the label dropped him. Thompson survives on Indie labels, but hopefully some label will put Thompson's considerable Capitol output back into print (calling Rhino!! Rhino!! Are you there!?!?!).



"Amnesia" is in no way Thompson's best album, but it contains some amazing material. "Turning of the Tide" should have been a hit. No good reason exists for its obscurity on the radio waves in 1988. The song holds up as a pop bulwark even today. "Waltzing's For Dreamers" could arguably be placed alongside some of Thompson's best material. A mellow bittersweet song about lost love, one of Thompson's perennial subjects, it almost sounds out of place amongst the pop rock songs that fill most of the album. Thompson waxes controversial on "Yankee, Go Home", including such lines as "Overpaid, oversexed and over here/Get smart, gringo, disappear/The Hun's at the gates of Rome/Yankee Go Home". Subtle it is not. One wonders if Capitol and Thompson exchanged blows over its inclusion on "Amnesia". "Don't Tempt Me" is a humorous (or not so humorous depending on one's point of view) take on bar room machismo. "I Still Dream" and "Reckless Kind" are Thompson staples burgeoning with bad bitter lost love. "Gypsy Love Songs", though a bit overlong, contains some great guitar work.



"Amnesia" doesn't deserve to wallow in never never land. Only two cuts made it onto Capitol's "Action Packed: Best of the Capitol Years" compression of five albums. Fans and the curious must resort to used bins or online auctions to get a copy. This album deserves better."