Power in the Darkness-2 lp's [Import]

Tom Robinson | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 20, 2004)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Import
• Label: EMI-harvest
• Copy Protected
• ASIN: B0002WTJYE
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #88,162 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Up Against The Wall

2. Grey Cortina

3. Too Good To Be True

4. Ain't Gonna Take It

5. Long Hot Summer

6. Winter Of '79

7. Man You Never Saw

8. Better Decide Which Side You're On

9. You Gotta Survive

10. Power In The Darkness

11. Don't Take No For An Answer

12. Martin

13. Glad To Be Gay (1978)

14. Right On Sister

15. 2-4-6-8 Motorway

16. I Shall Be Released

17. I'm Alright Jack

18. Waiting For My Man (Live At Lyceum 1977)

19. Power In The Darkness (2004 Remix)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars POWERFUL BLAST FROM THE PAST, September 23, 2005

By 

BYTHERIVERE (New York, New York) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power in the Darkness-2 lp's (Audio CD)

I loved this album when it came out, and I love it even more nearly thirty years later. It is a good-rockin', tour de force by a bunch of English guys with political points to make. The lyrics are good, and at times dark and foreboding, but they bring out the turbulence of Great Britain in the late 70s. The propulsive power of politicized songs like "Long Hot Summer", "Winter of '79" and "Better Decide Which Side Your're On" is matched by the hard-drivin' rockers like "Grey Cortina" and "2-4-6-8 Motorway" (a big hit in England in early '78).

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Political And Timely, April 15, 2009

By 

Mike B. - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power in the Darkness-2 lp's (Audio CD)

This was an important album when released in 1978. Tom Robinson Band's "Power In The Darkness" was a clarion call to oppressed people everywhere to stand and be counted. This struck a chord with young listeners in England during that tumultuous time. Unemployment was sky-high, the government was nearly bankrupt, and the whole country seemed on the verge of going belly-up.

It's sad that near identical circumstances have now besieged America (and by extension, the world). When this record reached our then-comfortable shores, it didn't make nearly the impact it did in Robinson's homeland.

Gays in the U.S. were heartened to finally have an out-and-proud rocker speaking on their behalf - if they heard him at all. Remember, it was the disco era. Likewise, punk had difficulty gaining a foothold. The happier American punks (luv ya Ramones) couldn't even make it, what to speak of these angry sounds emanating from the Sex Pistols, Clash, and TRB. Sure, they found an underground following and could fill small clubs or medium-sized halls - but it was nothing compared to the disco phenomenon (or the reaction these bands elicited in Britain).

Guess you had to be there. Now that we are, this record finally resonates meaningfully for us in the states - and warrants a close listen with fresh ears. In addition to its current timeliness, it also holds up remarkably well musically. With passionate lyrics delivered in a voice that's part Ray Davies/part Joe Strummer, Tom Robinson came up with a batch of songs that easily equal the great Clash debut.

If you're a Clash fan, then this CD purchase is a no-brainer for you, and a must to own. If you're gay, the tracks "Right On Sister" and the anthemic "Glad To Be Gay" will speak to you. Fans of songs about cars and driving will enjoy "Grey Cortina" and their British hit single "2-4-6-8 Motorway", which for my money is almost as good as the Modern Lovers' "Roadrunner". Robinson adopts a cockney accent reminiscent of Ian Dury for the endearing "Martin", an hilarious ode to a friend. The remaining tracks have mostly political overtones, such as the title song, which exhorts all to "stand up and fight for your rights" - and Robinson sings them stridently and with confidence. The band is great, especially the guitar and keyboards.

This is something of a forgotten classic waiting to be re-discovered. It might have been better remembered if his star hadn't fallen so fast. They disbanded after releasing "TRB TWO", which wasn't nearly as strong as Power. It already seemed like a weak re-hash of their debut, and the songs weren't as good. The usually astute Todd Rundgren mixed Tom's voice too low, and his production imparted an ill-fitting Utopia sheen. In retrospect, they may have been better served had they stuck with legendary Power producer Chris Thomas. Robinson then went "new wave" for a one-off with his new band Sector 27, which he bankrolled to the point of personal bankruptcy.

Since 1986, Robinson has found greater renown as a BBC radio DJ and talk host. He still releases an occasional record, though it's been some time now. I haven't kept up with them, but they're supposed to be folk/roots records. He married, settled down and had kids, and now describes himself as "a gay man who happened to fall in love with a woman". Addressing this, he humorously titled one of his later albums "Having It Both Ways".

But for one shining moment, Tom Robinson was one of the best and brightest. "Power In The Darkness" deserves to find a new audience. It was - and should be again - an enduring classic.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Rock masterpiece, January 13, 2011

By 

Bloodbath_and_Beyond (usa) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Power in the Darkness-2 lp's (Audio CD)

Tom Robinson Band are a gem among gems when it comes to punk or rock n roll in general. Their 1978 debut album Power In The Darkness is a qualifer for one of the best rock albums ever. A furious blend of political/social rock mixed with working class anthems, cooking guitar, forceful vocals, and a perfectally stable drum/bass combo, musically they are a great rock n roll band, fitting to the anthems they are singing. Robinson himself on bass/vocals, Dolphin Taylor on drums, Danny Kustow on guitar and Mark Ambler on the keyboards, who most notably give the band a Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers sense with the stabs of organ here and there.

Gearing up with Up Against The Wall, a White Riot style opening rocker that gives you a glimpse of what youre up for here. Grey Cortina another short punchy number that is a small highlight no thanks in part to how catchy it is. The band slows it down for Too Good To Be True a keyboard driven number which features a sizzling guitar solo from Kustow. The album really peaks with its mid section in 3 in your face rockers. Ain't Gonna Take It, a stomping Clash style rocker with an unforgettable chorus and that awesome gang like backing vocal the band provides that really brings it all together. Long Hot Summer, a sort of Graham Parker and the Rumor style tune thats verse sung phrasing really gives it a rocking drive that stands out. And then there's Winter of 79, one of those great slice of life social anthems this band does so well. It's hooky, melodic, yet a blistering rocker all the same and has to be one of the best songs of the late 70's British rock/punk/new wave era. When Tom starts singing, you automatically listen, this is in no short the kind of epic classic Springsten never wrote for Born To Run. Of course the other masterpiece cut here is Better Decide Which Side Youre On, a slow paced but brutally grooving rocker that really gets in your face with its chorus lyrics. The tone is angry and forceful and you can feel the boiling thought provoking attitude in this song. It breaths with rock n roll attitude. The Man You Never Saw is a cool fast punk style number that also works like Grey Cortina in how catchy it is, its simple but youll find yourself moving to this one for sure. Along With You Gotta Survive another pub rock style organ/guitar style tune with plenty of swagger. The record ends with the title track, complete with cowbell!, this mid paced anthemic rocker rounds everything out well. Another stand up and fight style song, (talking about your freedom) it shouldnt be missed. The grinding guitar underneath Toms sneering vocals gives it that edgy sound which makes it a song you dont wanna skip.

The new remastered/special edition adds on the singles the band released an EP which includes Don't Take No For An Answer, Martin and his gay/womens rights anthems Glad To Be Gay and Right On Sister. Some feel the last 2 tracks sort of undermine Tom's more deep and sincere form of songwriting slip into shock rock somehow? The bottom line is if you enjoy in your face rock n roll that has something to say, this album is a MUST. If you dont like politics mixed with your music, you might wanna avoid it. However if youre in the middle and enjoy music for what it is, PITD is still a must have. Any self respecting punk fan need it. The bands energetic and hugely inspired and passionate mix of pub rock, Punk, rock n roll and slight new wave leanings musically alone make it a jewel, but its really Tom's lyrics and his infused singing that backs it up and makes it work. The songs have something to say and even if youre just listening to the tunes at a distance for the music, a lyric or 2 will catch your ear and make you realize this is powerful stuff.

While sacrificing political rage for rock n roll grandoise the most famous cut here is the bands top 20 single 2-4-6-8 Motorway. An immensely catchy commercial rock tune thats so good if you dont get up and dance you're just dead. The guitar leads in it so good, they burn with a purpose that prevents this song from being a "pop" number. In amongst the angry social rockers, this kinda song works brilliantly, the anthem is fist pumping and infectious as hell. Anyone with a ear for truely passionate and note for note rock n roll that never lets up for any of its cuts including the bonus ones, this album is an essential. Up there with London Calling, The Ramones, Nevermind The Bollocks but not just for punks. It can resonate with anyone with a thirst for real songwriting and rock poetry