Customer Reviews

Peace of Mind

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is one of my most cherished CDs and perhaps one of the best albums ever recorded. Though brutally wiped out of most people's memories over the years, Breathe is one of those few bands out of the 80's that I still carry the torch for. If you remember and enjoyed Breathe's 1987 `All That Jazz', you will be blown away by their 1990 release `Peace of Mind', a terribly overlooked, but highly outstanding work of art. (Sadly their last album.)
Quite a shift from `All That Jazz', which consisted of jazzy fun-boy pop tunes and soulful ballads, `Peace of Mind' validated the band's maturity and is a superb demonstration of their strong musical potential. Yes, the boys are all grown up on this one. Gone are the songs about deceptive girls, monkeys, and hollywood stardom. If words can describe this second album, the music here is a smooth, jazzy, sophisticated, insightful, soulful, and impressive blues splendor. Ingenious lyrics and David Glasper's immaculate voice will take you on a journey through the good times and the bad, which in turn will leave you wanting to hear much more than the 12 tracks provided. It's really quite amazing how these guys were only in their early twenties when they came out with this stuff.
Though I thoroughly enjoy all of the songs on this CD, the following are my favorite tracks:
-I Hear You're Doing Fine
-Does She Love That Man?
-Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
-Got To Get By (Talk about ethereal!)
-A Perfect Love (This is where you go into a trance.)
The only complaint that I have is with the "Say a Prayer-Remix". It's actually one of the better remixes I've heard of that song, but a very LOUD one. This comes right after the calm and peacefulness of "A Perfect Love". Talk about a rude awakening!
All in all though, I would say this album deserves more than 5 stars. 'Peace of Mind' may have been terribly underrated, and unfortunately is now out of print, but though over 10 years old, it does not sound outdated. Help yourself to a copy via online auctions or Amazon Z-shops. You won't be disappointed. It will have a magical way of remaining glued onto your CD tray for a long time to come.

After listening to Peace of Mind the first couple times, I almost weeded it out of my collection. The album had been a staple on used CD racks for several years at this point, so perhaps Breathe really did succumb to the all-too-common sophomore jinx. For whatever reason, though, I kept listening to the CD, and Peace of Mind eventually won me over in a big way. In fact, I've played it more times than the brilliant debut All That Jazz.

The sophomoric release from Breathe became so habit-forming for me largely because it was such an audacious effort by the group. They certainly took a risk that arguably paid off, at least from an artistic viewpoint. With the exception of "Does she love that man?", which was a rather lame attempt to have another smash-hit power ballad, Peace of Mind is more cohesive and atmospheric than its predecessor. The only track that sounds discontinuous from the rest of the album is the remix of "Say a prayer". It's a great standout track, however, for listeners who like albums that end with a big, loud unexpected bang. Besides being almost danceable, the remix sounds punchier and displays the vocals in a much more flattering light than the original mix.

The album in its entirety has the same slick production and high fidelity one would expect after appreciating All That Jazz. Musically, the biggest difference is more bluesy lead guitar and less horns. The biggest commonality with both albums is David Glasper's outstanding vocals. Glasper extends himself even more on Peace of Mind, singing each song with passion and conviction. Peace of Mind has some hidden classics, too, such as "Say hello" and "Without your love". "Woman" and "Where angels fear" are also very strong tracks. To anyone who previously ignored or pawned off this album, I urge you to give Peace of Mind another chance. It could very well grow on you.

After the pop perfection of All That Jazz Breathe members David, Ian and Marcus decided to pursue a different direction. Here they pursue a deeper perhaps more spiritual and introspective journey through joy, heartache and loss. There are more down tempo songs and less traditional pop tunes giving the listener more time to relax and ponder what's lies inside of them. The standout song for me is "Does she love that man?". It is down beat and heartfelt and truly beautiful, a song about love lost and regret. It conveys honesty rarely matched in modern music. Here as through the whole album David Glasper's voice shows nuance without being sappy and range without being extreme or harsh. The story told is part of the human condition that I think all of us can relate to. "Does she love that man" is one of my favorite Breathe songs. At first when I heard Peace of Mind I surprised that it wasn't all out like Breathes debut album All That Jazz. Initially I was disappointed but with each listen the album revealed itself to me and I was able to appreciate it for what it was. The song that took me the longest to warm up to was Mississippi Water. The lyrics at the beginning are to me the weakest Marcus and David have ever written. For over a year after I got Peace of Mind I couldn't listen to more then 30 seconds of the song. It just didn't work for me. One day I was working out to Peace of Mind and couldn't skip the song like I usually do and to my surprise the song takes an unexpected turn in the middle and that moment instantly became one of my favorite Breathe moments. I truly do miss Breathe. The colors they presented to the world are varied and unique. I pose the same question that all Breathe fans pose. Where are you David Glasper? Marcus is working in web development and Ian has passed on to the after life for some much deserved rest. As a musician I have been inspired by Breathe and even with the loss of two original members would love to be inspired again.

All That Jazz was the first disc in my CD collection. I've had Peace of Mind on tape for years, and recently decided to upgrade. I have loved David Glasper's voice since I first heard "Hands to Heaven" on the radio (so long ago). He has a beautiful range and the band compliments him so well with their amazing talent. I appreciate their ability to move so fluidly through the jazz, rock and pop styles in their music........sad that they were only able to record two albums ('glad that i have those albums to enjoy for years to come). David Glasper shows so much emotion when he breaks into the bridge of songs like "I hear you're doing fine" and "Does she love that man?" (2 of my favorites), and although it's a small portion, his take on "Amazing Grace" in "Got to get by" (another favorite) is one of the most beautiful I've ever heard (I'm a bit partial). "Peace of Mind" is a lovely album and must-have for any Breathe/David Glasper fan.

Sometimes you just need the sugary sweetness of some good pop, and this band, unfortunately only two albums deep, provides just that. The first album, All That Jazz, is still one of my favorites when in the mood, and this one is a great add to the equation. Great pop executed with a tinge of pop/jazz coupled with some thoughtful lyrics - more than can be said for lots of late 80's early 90's work. Highly recommended.

This is one of those cd's that you are ashamed to let people know you have.
But I do so love the 80's ballads of Breathe. The cd was in great condition
and arrived in good time.

As the pronounced possessor of Breathe's integral repertoire, I'm rather familiar with the penetrating musicality of the Yately-borne threesome. Even so, 'Peace of Mind' ushers in an entirely divergent degree of profundity. Anchoring this composition are the would-be hits "Say A Prayer" and "Does She Love That Man" -- both structurally grand and deeply perceptive. Proclaiming the seemingly hopeless despair of the brokenhearted, one can't help but be moved by "Where Angels Fear". I, for one, simply adore the consummate saxophone solo featured therein. Other noteworthy, dulcet tracks include "Woman", "Say Hello" and "Without Your Love".

Truthfully, 'Peace of Mind' has become synonymous with the eventual demise of Breathe, however, the album serves as testament to their cohesive dexterity. Indeed, this group demonstrated a maturity far beyond young men of their twenties.

After this album--their second--Breathe called it quits, which is surprising given that both records contain strongly-crafted, engaging pop. "Where Angels Fear" and "A Perfect Love" are haunting and worth the purchase alone.

Breathe / Peace Of Mind
Year: 1990
Track Title
1. I Hear You're Doing Fine
2. Say A Prayer
3. Does She Love That Man?
4. Mississippi Water
5. Will The Circle Be Unbroken?
6. Woman
7. Got To Get By
8. Say Hello
9. Where Angels Fear
10. Without Your Love
11. A Perfect Love
12. Say A Prayer (Remix)