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http://www.angelfire.com/hi/kingofeightiesmusic/mikepeters.html There are two things in music that I hate.... 1. An artist or band that uses the word "ART" instead of the words "lack of talent" 2. An artist or group that sells their soul to WAL-MART. For those of you that don't know what the second one is, let me explain. A lot of bands that were around in the 80's were original, groundbreaking, stylish and made their own sound. The purpose was NOT to copy someone elses sound. Now, they try to make a comeback and turn their back on originality and just copy what is popular now. As far as I am concerned there are enough bands out there trying to sound like NINE INCH NAILS, we don't need another, thank you very much..... That is why I am so glad to see the new CD of MIKE PETERS: RISE. There is alot of experimenting on this CD, I am glad to see that !!! It has a feel of different moods per cut.This is a review of the songs, cut by cut, including the extra cuts found on the U.S version... WHITE NOISE PART II: This track starts out as if it is going to be a techno/industrial track, then breaks into a great rock & roll track, sing along chorus line, should be very popular at live shows. The guitar tracks done by BILLY DUFFY (formally of THE CULT) give this one a great sound. IN CIRCLES: "Where were you when the stars went out???" Big '60's feel to this one, this is the one you could see JOHN LENNON performing if he were still alive. Mike's own description on this one: "It's about living in the present, stopping to appreciate the here and now. It's about life as the best drug available and the human being as the most interesting life form in the universe." This one gets my vote as the best track on the CD.. TRANSCENDENTAL: Also a bit of LENNON-like feel to it, very dreamy love song with a dance-like drum track, good mixture. Quite possibly if the drum track were different, it would not be as good a song. Also the odd little swirling organ in the background that doesn't quite keep up with the beat is very reminiscent of FOR THE BENEFIT OF MR. KITE. If you are familiar with the song, you know what I am talking about... RISE:Good rock track, love songs the way I like them..If you like songs that are going to put you to sleep, give CELINE DION A LISTEN.. It has an 80's rock feel to it, 'course that's what you get when you cross THE ALARM with THE CULT, right??? GROUND ZERO This one could have been the song we all would rather have heard on the radio besides THE SPICE GIRLS. Lyrics have a bit of language to them, but that will not be a problem for radio play, just can't print it on my page. If they give this one a chance on the radio in the U.S., it might be a top forty hit.. HIGH ON THE HILL: Don't let the title fool you. True, the chorus is "I'm so High..." but it's not about drugs...a good acoustic song, once again a bit dreamy sounding, but basically about enjoying life and reflecting on it..very well put together. I can see this one also being a crowd favorite.. YOU ARE TO ME Very good track, another one of my favorites. A love song that will probably be a hit in ENGLAND rather than in the STATES. Don't mean anything by that, I just don't see AMERICA buying that one as a single, great track, has an 80's feel to it also... MY CALLING: Must admit, this one is not one of my favorites, not that it is bad, but there are better songs. It will probably be a single with my luck, and here I am saying this....oh well. *I WANT YOU: One of the three U.S bonus tracks, very good song, as a bonus song in the U.S I hope that means it will be a release here, could do very well on the radio, good rock track.. FIRST LIGHT: Sorry, this is not one of my favorites either, sounds like the long lost CROWDED HOUSE song. Another love song but this one just doesn't keep my attention like the others, find myself hitting the "NEXT SONG" button with this one.. THE WASTING LAND:A song about looking at the mistakes you have made in your life and learning from them. Good song, and very good lyrics/subject matter. Something us "80's children can relate to.. could be a hit.. One can hope... BURNOUT SYNDROME: It has been said that the best songs are those that you don't know the meaning of and just draw your own experiences from. This could be one of those songs...again, sing-along chorus, great guitar by MR. DUFFY, but this one could be about anything. One of THOSE songs..... *THE MESSAGE: Uummm, this one is a tough one. First of all, I can't stand RAP.... but there is something about it, cant explain. I mean it has a techno track that he raps to, (don't know what to compare it to since I don't listen to RAP.) This is another U.S. bonus track - do not be surprised if this one makes it on the radio...very catchy. *WHITE NOISE PART III : This is a techno remix of part two, love it...would not be suprised to walk into a club and hear this playing. In the immortal words of every 15-17 year old that played RATE-A-RECORD on the t.v. show AMERICAN BANDSTAND, "It's got a good beat, and it's easy to dance to." Well, if you expected me to candy-coat my review, then you haven't read any of my other reviews I guess...I dont mince words or beat around the bush about my opinions. I am sure that you will not agree with me on all views that I have given, would not expect you to...I do hope you respect my opinion as a big fan of THE ALARM..And I'm sure you think you could have done a better job yourself. Just remember this, though... "Oh sure, we all thought about it, but I had the guts to do it !!!!"- DR. CLAYTON FORESTER, (Mystery Science Theatre 3000: The Movie) later...... KING RICHARD |
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