Customer Reviews

Living in Fear

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This second Power Station continues beautifully where the first one left off a decade earlier. Everyone seems to have different opinions on this one, but mine is that the album is even stronger than the first. The only thing you'll miss here are chart-topping singles, which mystifies me because there are several tracks that should have put the band back in the spotlight.

I don't understand what happened to John Taylor, since he's credited with co-writing all the tunes, but Bernard Edwards totally kicks on bass.

If you liked the debut album, I highly, highly recommend the second and final installment from PS.

The glam/pretty boy days of Duran Duran long behind him, Andy Taylor displays that he can rock with the best of 'em. This is a well produced album that is likely to be unfortunately dismissed as an 80's-style rehashing of washed up artists trying to recaputure their glory. The guitar sounds are heavy and raw but crisp and tasteful. Palmer's vocals arrangements are creative and his lyrics (although cliched at times) show maturity. Punchy horns and a funky rhythm section round out the menu. Too bad this effort did not and will not get the recognition it deserves.

I think that this is one of the BEST,if not should I say the last recording that Benard Edwards had produced for the Power Station before he passed away. The playing on this recording is rock solid with Tony Thompson's drumming and Andy Taylor's guitar playing all so ever great...and may I add that Robert Palmer's writting is strong as ever.But most of all this is Benard Edwards last studio recording so if you are a serious fan of Chic or just a good fan of Benard Edwards playing then you should go out and buy this one!!!
May I add that the import has one different song then the U.S. version but that shouldn't stop you from buying this copy. In the future I hope to see more recordings come out from this supergroup and hopefully they can carry on the torch that Benard did leave for them.

Power Station was a great "woulda-coulda" band. In their energetic, coke-fueled heyday of 1986, the band could do no wrong. And yet, their debut was too short, and it always seemed odd that Robert Palmer returned to a solo career so shortly after their successful debut. Fast-forward to the mid-1990's, and Power Station re-united for a second go. Unfortunately, none of the players were at the top of their game. John Taylor worked on initial sessions but got caught up in rehab. Andy Taylor certainly lost some of his fire after the twin successes of the Power Station and his early solo singles. What happened? The late Robert Palmer clearly had some drug/alcohol issues and eventually died young. Tony Thompson was a marvelous drummer, but he never seemed to have the same energy or confidence after the automobile accident he suffered in England around the time of Live-Aid. Bernard Edwards subbed for John Taylor on these sessions, and he sounds good. However, he was also suffering from illness and would die shortly thereafter on tour with Chic in Japan. The first track, "Notoriety," has an amazing Edwards/Thompson groove that promises great things for the rest of the album. However, it never takes off from there, and the whole project leaves us to think about what could have been if only . . .

Living In Fear was the 1996 lp that reunited the short lived 80's supergroup The Power Station (combining members of Duran Duran and Chic with singer Robert Palmer). Over 10 years since their first (and only other) lp, the group reconvenes for a decidedly hard rock sounding disc that lacks some of the dance sensibility of the original effort. Lyric wise the material is far superior to 1985's multi platinum debut album, but songs like "Shut Up", "Dope", and the title track are extremely negative in lyric and tone, a departure from most of Robert Palmer's more upbeat (emotion wise, not music sound) rock material. Still, if anyone ever doubted if the guys from Duran could rock, this album, more than the group's debut, should shut all detractors. Highlights of this set include "Notoriety" with excellent guitar work from Andy Taylor, a Beatle-esque sounding ballad "Scared", and an actual Beatles cover, a terrific beat oriented hard rock take on "Taxman". There is definately an infusion of R&B soul in numbers like "Fancy That", a clear nod to producer (and former Chic member) Bernard Edwards, who produced the band's debut album, as well as later hit solo records for Palmer and even Rod Stewart (Out Of Order lp). While the fun, lighthearted mood of the original is lost here, quality hard rock is not. Fans of the original, and Robert Palmer solo fans, should definately enjoy. Taylor's guitar work is some of his best ever on record, more challenging than almost anything in the Duran Duran catalogue.

The 2nd offering from The Power Station is, in a way, a continuance of the first alum and a radical departure at the same time. The Taylors can still play, and the ,Late GREAT Robert Palmer is in fine form(as always). No other Rock singer has EVER used thier vocabulary in the way RP does. With phrases like FEIGN indifference, Quid Pro Quo, and Coitus Interruptus, he's definitely reppin' his education= Good on ya, mate!

I also find the lyrics to be very poignant- Life forces has a line "Just When You Think You've got a grip on your future, Destiny changes your plan. There is big-time diversity on this album too- From hard rockers like She Can Rock It and Living in Fear to the Dance/disco beat of "I'll Fancy That" to a real Love song in "Love Conquers All" and the already mentioned "Life Forces".

Bottom Line- If you like Duran Duran, 80s Rock, he first Power Station album, Robert Palmer's solo stuff, more modern sounding music(digital quality, great mix) or any combination of the above you'll LOVE THIS ALBUM. This is a great album that got no air time on FM and sold poorly in stores. Pick it up in the reduced bin or on ebay- You won't be sorry.

This album happens to be one that not too many people know exist's, unless you are a die hard Duran Duran fan, or John Taylor fan, or an Andy Taylor fan, or an Arcadia fan, or a TRUE Power Station fan. This album is very entertaining and has a few bonus tracks that are NOT found on the original album. For the most part you can ONLY purchase this album from Asian countries. Unfortunately, I would have to say that it is NOT worth paying OVER $25.00 altogether UNLESS you are a true die hard fan of one of the above or ALL of the above. Hope this review helps. Peace.

Robert Palmer continues to flex his muscle as the top vocalist in hard rock. Equal parts powerful and soulful, Palmer displays a range and variety of talent that puts his singing and songwriting head and shoulders above his peers. He also makes the players behind him sound better, although with Andy Taylor on guitar and Tony Thompson on drums, he was working with musicians of the finest quality.

This is a pretty decent album, the artists play well, and Palmer sings as well as he does anywhere. I give them all credit for putting this album out, as they had to have known there was no real market for this kind of music (and there still isn't.) It's polished rock by veteran players who know what they are doing, but had no hope whatsoever of having a radio hit. If this had been released in 1988, She Can Rock It and a couple other songs might have dented the Top 40, but at this point, even Rush only sells albums to Rush fans, and this music is fairly similar to what they do. I think Andy Taylor is the only musician in this version of the band that's actually still alive, which is too bad.

This album happens to be an album that NOT TOO many fans are aware of. Recorded prior to Bernard Edwards & Robert Palmer's passing (R.I.P.). This album contains typical Power Station jammin' tunes. The album opens well with the catchy tunes of Notoriety and Scared. Let's Get It On sounds like a rendition of Murderess. The album ends with a Beatle's do over of Taxman. Overall the album is typical Robert Palmer music and is worth listening to. You can really hear Andy Taylor's contribution as well. Hope this review helps. Peace.