This is the Max Webster’s fifth album, released back in 1980. They were quite a big deal in Canada, all their albums were certified gold and a Million Vacations was platinum. They made a little headway in the UK, but before any momentum was built the band quit in ’81. Kim had quite a successful solo career in Canada and some parts of the US and he is still gigging today. In the UK, they supported Rush on this tour (I think). The Rush guys play on this album, on the track Battle Scar.
I really like this record and it is the only one of theirs I can fully appreciate all the way through. It’s quite a hard album to categorize as yes, it’s rock but it’s also very progressive. All of Side 1 is a classic but it does tale off somewhat on Side 2. Kim is what I would call, an unsung guitar hero. He has some killer chops and he can riff with the best of them. Check for instance is all about Kim, and that riff. It’s a great, fun tune that oozes the band’s sense of humour. Most people seem to go for Battle Scar as their favourite tune just because of Rush playing on it, but I’ve always loved the more obscure Drive And Desire. It’s a more straight up rock tune with a great riff, but it’s the melody and the hook line that I love. A close second is the close out tune Cry Out For Your Life, which has a touch of King Crimson about it.
This is a band that definitely deserves to be heard by a much wider audience.
8.5/10 from The Grooveman.
