On The Ripple Desk - A Vinyl Excursion: Featuring New England, Lake, and Push

 Another run through the vinyl covering my office.  Keeper or Tosser?  Let's decide. 


New England - S/T 

An album I’m always on the fence about, depending upon my mood.  Very well done, competent MOR pomp rock.   I think the Paul Stanley as producer/KISS association always has me wanting something heavier but when I’m in a pomp rock mood it’s pretty damn good.  Not a mood I’m in too often though.   I know these guys were much loved the Northeast back in the day.  Some songs do carry some weight, others can barely stay on the ground because they're so light.  In the end, it's not groundbreaking, but fun for the right time.  -- Keeper



Lake - S/T

Another band that time seems to have forgotten. Pop-oriented light prog, very much in the vein of Supertramp. From Germany, they had their moment in the sun, selling 400,00 copies of this their debut album, but quickly faded. I think the rather generic illustration covers didn’t help them much. Not world changing, but pleasant. Some songs really have a good muscular vibe, with surprisingly heavy riffs, others are beautifully done.  They opened for Genesis touring this album to give you a taste.  -- Keeper




Push - Til-It-Hurtz

I’m a sucker for DIY 80’s metal, when everyone thought all they had to do was tease out the hair, put on spandex and come up with a gang chorus to be a rocker.  Most of it is pretty cheesy but usually with a fun, party innocent exuberance.  The Push Band may be a nod or two above the average local home town rockers, and probably should have made it as big as some of the lesser Sunset Hair bands.  Truth is, I like this better than a band like Poison.  Singer has a decent voice and lead guitarist screams.  Better production and a few better songs and we’d still be talking about these guys.  --Keeper



--Racer


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