Smash Palace - 87

In 1980, brothers Stephen and Brian Butler released an album as members of the band Quincy, which was followed in 1983 with an EP under the band name Lulu Temple, a change necessitated by a lawsuit from Quincy Jones.  Shortly after the EP’s release that band broke up and the brothers then went on to form Smash Palace, releasing their debut album in 1985.  When their A&R man moved to a new label he asked them to come with him, but after leaving their label the deal with the new label didn’t come through.  Due to this, the demos they had recorded for their second album were never released.  Over the ensuing years they did other things including being staff songwriters and Stephen working with the band Mary Lee’s Corvette.  In 1999 the brothers reformed and released the first of thirteen Smash Palace releases working with various band members over the years.  Now, thirty-eight years after they started working on that sophomore album, these lost songs are getting their day with the new album 87, which contains five tracks rerecorded by the original lineup and five demos from 1987.  The album opens with the five new tracks starting strongly with “Bitter Blue,” a solid power pop tune with a rock edge that comes across a bit like a jangle rock version of the Psychedelic Furs.  Up next are “I’ll Be There,” a gritty alt rocker with a hint of a rootsy side, and the straight-ahead rock of “Poor Man’s Paradise,” both of which have a Petty vibe.  “Top Of The World” is a midtempo track with a really nice groove and “Everything Under the Sun” has a darker alt rock sound.  The influence of the eighties can definitely be heard on the five demo tracks.  “Along For The Ride” has a very radio friendly alt pop sound that is often reminiscent of Simple Minds.  Relying heavily on the synths, “Centipede” has more of a New Wave bounce, while “Stranger Than Strange” is a moodier, midtempo track. “First Time For Everything” is a more laid-back tune but is a bit plodding and probably the weakest song here.  The album closes with “Imaginary Lines,” which is their attempt at a bigger epic rock track and does a good job at presenting that, but is set back a little by the thinner production, which plagues several of the older tracks.  87 is a very enjoyable release that bridges the early days of the band with today, and hopefully is just the first of more from this newly reunited lineup.  

(Think Like A Key Music)