Customer Reviews

Strange Man Changed Man

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

 

 

I'm surprised to be the first to review this, 2 weeks after it's long-overdue CD reissue. Bram Tchaikovsky left the Motors to form his own band, releasing this great debut album in 1979. Amazing that it took almost 30 years for the CD to appear. "Girl Of My Dreams" was the hit, but just about every track is wonderful. The All Music Guide points out that the production (by Motors leader Nick Garvey) was a bit thin, which I totally agree with, but the great songs, punchy performances and fine three-part harmonies more than overcome the production shortcomings.

Aside from the hit, other outstanding tracks include "Lady From The USA", "I'm The One That's Leaving", "Lonely Dancer", "Sarah Smiles", and my personal favorite, the title track. This is one the great albums from the heyday of power pop. The mix of upbeat and slower tunes is especially effective. A good album to compare it to is "Tommy Tutone 2", another album with a fondly remembered hit ("867-5309/Jenny") that was totally solid from start to finish.

After this, Bram made 2 more albums, neither of which is anywhere near as appealing. With his commercial fortunes falling he retired from the music biz, and as far as I know he hasn't been heard from since.

Too bad they couldn't have thrown in a few of the stronger tracks from the other 2 albums, that would have made this perfect.

A long overdue CD release for the US. This is one of the top power pop CDs from the 80's, in my opinion. Just about every song is a gem. One track that deserves mention is their cover of "I'm a Believer", the old Monkees song; more power, less pop.

A couple of years ago, I had to pay premium bucks for an old, discontinued Asian CD of this album. I tried to track this down stateside and was shocked to discover that it had never been released in the US.

If you're a new wave / power pop fan, you NEED this CD.

I have to agree with previous postings. This is one of the best albums of 1979--and that's saying a lot, because 1979 was a year that saw a lot of terrific music released. As I type this, I'm listening to my vinyl copy of this album. As soon as the CD comes, I'm framing the lp cover and putting it on my wall.

Finally got to hear this album again after over 30 years. Girl Of My Dreams was one of my favourite songs back then and I did have the vinyl single bought 10 years after second hand. To those who don't like the sound of this album and to remasterers and remixers, the sound of the music and when it is from is a big part of it. The appeal of this album was it's sound, not the typical American fat sound that others, such as The Shoes, would do after releasing an independent single.

I don't have anything important to add the the other reviews. Great album, too long neglected. I deducted one star for poor audio quality, although that may be a bit unfair.
I'd been watching for it on CD for ages and finally gave up. Now, in 2009, I remembered to check again, and it was out briefly, then discontinued, and now $49.95 used.
I gritted my teeth and paid it, but from now on I'll check for unissued albums more often.

Bram Tchaikovsky really only had one good album in them but what a good album! It is always hard to say if the music is great on its own or whether it is just the warm and fuzzy glow of nostalgia that makes it sound so good. But there is no denying that it is very catchy and it makes you feel good.

Unbelievable that it has taken nineteen years for this masterpiece to finally be issued on CD.

No question one of the coolest albums to come out of 1979. Sometimes you go back to an album you thought was fabulous in your misguided youth only to find it reeks of cheap glitter and greasepaint. Not this album - it actually sounds even better to me 30+ years on. I first picked it up on vinyl back in 1981 when in college simpply because of the cover art. I did pick up the Japanese re-issue last year which also has some live tracks included.

If you listen to the Motors recordings with Bram on them you can see where his direction came from, but somehow with this album the whole band just nailed it: the hooks, the artful and and sometimes cynical lyrics, the excellent harmonies, put together with the coolest album art provided by Mad Russian. This one is a gem and I highly recommend tacking down a copy....