My Amazon Reviews: Scott Wilk and The Walls

Like Uranium Dynamite
4 Out Of 5 Stars

In 1980, the long lamented progressive rock station Starview 92 in Harrisburg/York started playing a great new wave ditty called "Radioactive." As a huge fan of Elvis Costello and The Attractions, I was trying to figure out why I hadn't heard this song on any EC album or B-Side. The answer was simple: the band was from Chicago. Scott Wilk and The Walls released this lost New Wave rave-up in the year of "Armed Forces" and did their utmost to pass him/themselves off as an American Elvis. The cover art screams 80's and the back cover photo of Wilk, wearing goofy glasses with the rest of the band in tight, fishbowl style close-up did nothing to deter the "Armed Forces" allusions. One thing, though. "Scott Wilk and The Walls" was a darn good album.

In addition to the previously mentioned "Radioactive," there was "Suspicion," a pure EC piece of paranoia that also picked up some localized airplay and even had a video made around it. Wilk's keyboards as sophisticated and nervy, there's a dark sense of humor that runs through many of the songs. Joe Jackson even gets a nod on "Instant This, Instant That," and producer Michael Omartian lays down a nifty piano solo on the final song, "Shadow Box Love." Yes, for those of you who follow such things, the same Michael Omartian who the same year delivered Christopher Cross's cheesy debut delivered a production job here worthy of Nick Lowe.

However, Chicago and Central PA must have been Wilk's lone pockets of fandom, as the debut stiffed commercially, and an argument with management and record label left Scott Wilk and The Walls high and dry, even with a large chunk of songs ready for a follow-up. (You can find these for download as "The Lost Session.") For those of us that can't get enough of the prime skinny tie new wave that was embodied by "This Year's Model" or "Look Sharp," "Scott Wilk and The Walls" is an absolute must. I've been waiting for this one myself a long time.

   

My Amazon Reviews: Nick Lowe "Labour of Lust"

Still Lustful After All These Years  
5 Out of 5 Stars

Nick Lowe's second brilliant solo album was a less quirky but more solidly written album than his "Jesus Of Cool (aka Pure Pop for Now People)". Lowe also upped the dynamic by bringing his Rockpile pals onboard. Where "Cool" was a delightful album on almost every front, Lowe was a one man band on that go around. Having Dave Edmunds, Terry Williams and Billy Bremmer in the studio made for better chemistry and that made all the difference.

"Labour" also has Lowe's two biggest singles, including his lone American hit, "Cruel To Be Kind." Coming off as muscular Motown with guitars, "Cruel To Be Kind" jangles along as the doot-doot chorus makes for great sing-along. The one song Lowe didn't write, "Switchboard Susan," is a chuckler of the best grade, making all sorts of telephone man jokes like "when I'm with you girl, I get an extension...and I don't  mean Alexander Graham Bell's invention." With Lowe's naturally Beatle-esque vocal abilities, he gets away with such silliness, including "Dose Of You."

As meticulous as Lowe is with production, "Labour's" new remaster is terrific. Edmunds' guitar now crackles on "Born Fighter" and "Switchboard Susan." Both the odd tracks between the US and UK version are present, along with an extra B-Side ("Basing Street"). From the stateside version, "American Squirm," and from the English, "Endless Grey Ribbon." "Squirm" is also unusual in that it features Elvis Costello, and The Attractions' Pete Thomas. Huey Lewis (a pal of Lowe's before forming The News) blows a mean harmonica on "Born Fighter."

Finally, Will Birch from fellow 80's popsters The Records and now a biographer contributes a good essay and interview with Lowe. "Labour Of Lust" sounds so grand and brings back memories of just how great Lowe is as a solo artist that I'm now hoping for more of his 80's albums start showing up. Especially "The Abominable Showman" and "His Cowboy Outfit."