These guys are a very odd little band that had to jump through hoops to even get this released – thanks to The White House. This album was actually released in ’88 under the band name Dear Mr. President, and apparently The White House didn’t like that very much and actually bought the rights to the band name – so the album disappeared from sight. Cue the name change! Then they reissued the album with this title, but cut two tracks. Only in America eh!
Looking at the image of the band from the picture on the back of the album, you would be forgiven for thinking that they were your typical sleaze late eighties glam band, but that is not the case. They are a cross between a late eighties indie band, and an aor/melodic rock band – certain songs even remind me of the Aussie band Midnight Oil.
Opening track, Fate, would have you thinking that maybe it’s the Cure or even U2. Hey Daddy Have You Ever Been Arrested is a really good track, and a great balance between rock and indie. They take quite an original approach that I really like. Side 2 opener, Fred Astaire, sounds like Trent Rezner fronting some early eighties back with frilly shirts and haircuts, with a Michael Jackson drum track. It sounds weird, but it works really well. Fatal Desire is closer to what you would expect, and has a big guitar riff to start and then the indie sounding chorus and melody kick in. I can see why they never really amounted to anything, as at this point in time, every band was pigeon holed. If a band were hard to categorize, it was a struggle as the labels were not sure how to market them. A very odd record but an enjoyable one all the same.
8/10 from The Grooveman.
