Customer Reviews

Wired to the Moon

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

 

 

Originally released two years before his commercial breakthrough, 1986's "On the beach", "WTTM" is one of Rea's overlooked early albums. Unlike his later work, which is much more vocal- and guitar-centered, the music of "WTTM" is primarily arranged for keyboards, with guitars often providing sonic texture instead of functioning as a lead instrument. Rea also plays most of the other instruments. Lyrically, "WTTM" doesn't venture beyond the tenets of pop music - Rea writes love songs to his wife and his daughter. While this concept is rarely challenging and not nearly as interesting as his late-'80s/early-'90s themes, the music on "WTTM" is very pleasant and doesn't sound too outdated. More important, nearly every song would qualify for radio airplay. "Bombollini", in particular, delivers a densely percussive sound with wonderful guitar/marimba/keyboard exchanges. The 6 1/2-minute "Winning" truly lives up to its title and features a Stonesy guitar riffs. The album's best known songs, however, are the title track, "I don't know..", and the ballad "Ace of hearts", the latter being re-recorded by Rea for his hit compilation "New light through old windows". With lots of different guitar/keyboard textures, uncommon drum rhythms and clean production, "WTTM" is one of Rea's most interesting performances. But since he's a very good singer/songwriter as well, all these features turn "WTTM" into one of the best albums Rea has ever made.

This is not a hard album to review, in fact it is one of the most straightforward albums you could imagine. None of the songs are very innovative, but the overall impression generated is one of satisfaction. The opening track, 'Bombollini' is well constructed with an excellent rythmn section, and 'Ace of Hearts' is an up tempo ballad which works well. The title track remains my favourite, with a catchy tune and wonderful slide guitar.

Time appears to have passed this album by; the next few releases from Chris Rea were probably his best to date, but this album is still worth a listen.

My first experience with Chris Rea music was "On the beach", and I liked it very much. After hearing "Stony Road", a completely different style, I discovered an impressive artist, and this work "Wired to the moon" seems to me another excelent composition.

This CD gives you an idea of where Chris Rea went after his 1970s pop success ("Fool If You Think It's Over") and before he started writing longer, Dire Straits-type guitar-based tunes. Worth it if you are a fan.

This album is one of Chris Rea's earlier albums and it is one that I am particularly fond of. The music is smooth - or as smooth as Chris gets - and it is so good to simply sit down in your favourite place and let the worries of the world just pass on by. This is one of about ten of my chill out albums and for that reason alone I love it. I think that you will like this album too if you give it a listen.

What can I say,,,Chris Rea,,,don't get any better than this,,great CD,,it stays in my car,,,love the man and his music,,,think I have said this before,,,BOMBOLLINI,,love that song but wish they had put the slower version on CD that he played in Germany while on tour years ago,,,but it is all good,,,Wired to the Moon,,,what a passion he has for music


Mary