Search - John Wicks & the Records :: Rotate

One of the best Rock albums released in 2007

J. McDonald | 02/15/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"John Wicks was a founding member of the legendary 70's and 80's power pop group, the Records. He was the primary vocalist on the first two albums ("shades in bed" and "crashes") and would remain at the creative and songwriting core, throughout the groups existence.



After the commercial failure of their third album in 1982 ("Music on Both Sides"), the Records disbanded. Six years later, in 1988, the album "A Sunny Afternoon in Waterloo" was released, comprised of early, unreleased tracks by the Records. It wouldn't be until 1995 that John Wicks would release a full album of NEW material.



John Wicks has released three solo efforts (As John Wicks and the Records) since 1995;



Solace in Wonderland - 1995

rock 'ola - 1998

Rotate - 2007



Rotate features a few songs from his previous solo releases, plus new material. A limited edition version of Rotate was also released, which featured a second CD containing bonus tracks! Well worth the price if you can find it.



In my humble opinion, Rotate is the best album ever released by John Wicks, with or without "the Records". And to go a step further, I also consider it to be one of the very best rock albums released in 2007. If you're a fan of The Records circa 1979 and 1980, I believe that you'll absolutely LOVE this CD!



Rotate is an album that's full of life, and of such high quality that it would have fit perfectly within the golden era of Rock that we all love and cherish. It's not often that a shining gem like this makes an appearance on todays drab music wasteland, which makes this release even that much more enjoyable.



John Wicks has yet to receive the widespread commercial success that he deserves. But he will always have the respect and admiration of his fans, who know that it isn't for a lack of talent. He's still keeping the spirit of Rock 'n Roll alive, just as he did all those years ago as the lead singer of the Records.



We were all extremely grateful back then, and we're even MORE grateful today! Keep the fire burning John!



This CD is highly recommended!



JM"

Much better than expected...

Michael Lapins | San Diego Ca. | 01/31/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Being a long time Records fan, I found myself, (with little thinking,) buying this album. First off, it is not a Records compilation or anything like that. It appears to be new material from John Wicks, and while it is not the Records, it is much better than I expected it to be. The disc is vibrant, the production crisp and bright, and the songs are pretty darn good. Lots of harmonic ringing guitars, but more hard than sweet and jingle-janglely. "Shades of Green" begins with a forceful guitar riff that drives the song forward. "That Girl is Emily" is a tribute to Syd Barret, and again, a nice hard riff to open and propel the piece onward. The tile cut "Rotate" is another fine cut, while "Close to Home," echoes the sound of The Records and you can hear Wicks voice still sounding like 1978. Overall, a fine piece of music and I am quite glad I spend my money on this one."

Old Guy.

OLD GUY. | 02/07/2010

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wow! It's almost like having the Records back! And, of course, I have to add...Wow! Another album I like gone to the discontinued world! Well, at least the effort was made...power pop Records style always appealed to me...except for the bleetles cover at the end...anyway, those guitars and harmonies were pure and that's the whole game."