My Amazon Reviews: Any Trouble "Wheels In Motion"

A Spin of The Wheel
4 Out of 5 Stars

Out of all the Stiff Records bands that cane out in the early 80's, Any Trouble was easily my favorite. While the label had plenty of delightful, idiosyncratic artists (like Elvis Costelloand Lene Lovich), Any Trouble were a band that seemingly came without the usual Stiff quirkiness. And while almost every other band/artist on the label appeared to snag an American deal just by association, Any Trouble was left dangling.

"Wheels In Motion" was the band's second proper album to get a stateside release, and it is just a touch below the excellence of the debut Where Are All the Nice Girls?.  Lead singer and songwriter Clive Gregson had such a dry view of life and love that he often rated comparisons to Costello, and the songs here still merit such high praise. The album has a three stroke kick-off with "Trouble With Love," "Open Fire" and "As Lovers Do," all tremendous, great songs. The later is easily one of Gregson's best, with Any Trouble or in his solo career. (Once again, begging the Costello comparisons.)

After that, the album becomes a mixed bag. Producer Mike Howlett filled out the songs here more than on the debut (which was a bare-bones reading of the band as a four-piece new wave/pub act), which helps Any Trouble in the sound department. It also helps the songs that needed a bit more dynamic presentation ("Power Cut") or add to a song that wouldn't have done well in the original band format. The album's lone non-Gregson penned tune, Richard Thompson's "Dimming Of The Day" is the greatest benefactor in that department. (Thompson eventually returned the favor by making Gregson a regular member of his touring band through the late 80's.)

Gregson has since carved out the distinguished career of a critical/cult fave, and I would highly recommend both I Love This Town and his album with one-time partner Christine Collister, Love Is a Strange Hotel. He's become a wonderful folk artist on a par with Thompson, but "Wheels In Motion" and his other recordings with Any Trouble highlight the time in his life when he was bursting with new wave energy and still seemed bent on carving out a niche in the world of power-pop.