Out of The Embers

The Dream Syndicate - Out Of The Grey
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 415 MB | Full Artwork | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Normal Records # NORMAL 184 CD | Country/Year: Germany 1997, 1986
Genre: Rock | Style: College Rock, Alternative Pop/Rock, Paisley Undeground

Like nearly everything released that year, Out of the Grey suffered from a touch of the post-new wave flu. But "50 in a 25 Zone" has that old, bluesy Syndicate spirit, as does "Now I Ride Alone," and Steve Wynn is still an exceptional vocal stylist, bringing heart and meaning to every word he writes.

Like nearly everything released that year, Out of the Grey suffered from a touch of the post-new wave flu. But "50 in a 25 Zone" has that old, bluesy Syndicate spirit, as does "Now I Ride Alone," and Steve Wynn is still an exceptional vocal stylist, bringing heart and meaning to every word he writes.

Infected's sound still suggests dance-pop, especially on the title track. But don't get the impression that it's made for dancing. Instead of the light fare displayed on Soul Mining, Infected's songs seethe instead of preen, and Matt Johnson's lyrics are laced with tension. Thematically, he plunges a lance into the exposed midsection of Great Britain, analyzing the state of modern urban life in the country. "This is the land where nothing changes," Johnson sings on the World Party-ish "Heartland." "A land of red buses and blue bloody babies/This is the place where the hearts are being cut from the welfare state." "Angels of Deception" matches rain-slicked verses to a powerful chorus flavored with gospel backup singers and enormous reverb percussion. With production tricks like this, Infected aligns itself with the dance-pop sound of its predecessor (and the prevailing sound of British pop music at the time). But there's no denying the record's acerbic lyricism or dark-toned instrumentation.

A tasteful and intelligent modern blues band, the Hollywood Flames came together in 1975 on the West Coast as the Hollywood Fats Band, led by guitar phenom Michael "Hollywood Fats" Mann, and featuring what was arguably the best traditional blues line-up this side of 1954. "Soul Sanctuary" was welcomed with unanimous praise by blues fans around the world, as blues with both a history and a future. A great album in the west coast and Chicago style blues and a must have if you like guitar players like Ronnie Earl, Dave Specter, Alex Schultz and Steve Freund. Featured special guest artist is Kim Wilson on harmonica. The Hollywood Blue Flames literally burn their way through a set of fresh originals sprinkled with well-chosen covers.