The Records “Music on Both Sides” (CD) One of the Great Lost Albums of All-Time
One of the great lost albums of all-time is The Records last album, “Music on Both Sides” which is now available on CD with 9 bonus tracks of previously unreleased recordings and is one great package for all fans of power pop.
I remember when “Music on Both Sides” was suppose to be out in 1982 and I thought this was a mistake because I literally could not find this album anywhere. Apparently from what I can construe, the albums release was delayed a year and not promoted because by then the Records has broken up. If anyone has better information please let me know. So the bottom line is few people knew this album was out and had heard it and I think that extends to today! Well, I’m letting you know “Music on Both Sides” is out today and its a great listen.
I remember it was some time in 1983 I stumbled on “Music on Both Sides” at some obscure small record store and I thought I had found the Holy Grail! Until that moment I didn’t think the album actually existed and I was shocked. I ran home as fast as I could. Before I put it on, I was surprised to find out that there were 2 new members of the Records: Chris Gent on lead vocals who replaced John Wicks still in the group but no longer the lead vocalist but still rhythm guitarist, vocals and main songwriter (along with Will Birch) and Dave Whelan on lead guitar replacing the excellent Jude Cole. I was surprised John Wicks was no longer the lead vocalist as he was really good.
So I had incredibly great expectations when I put the new Records record on the turntable. This was about the time CDs were starting to come out full force. Guess what, for some stupid reason at the time, probably because I had such ridiculous over expectations like I was going to be playing the greatest album ever, I was totally disappointed and thought the album was a dud and never listened to it again which turned out to be one of my biggest mistakes ever. The only thing I can attribute to my insanity was that the stars and I weren’t aligned that day!
Anyway, 25 or so years later, by chance I heard some of the tracks online and I thought my God this stuff is terrific, what was I thinking back then? So I bought the album and its great. Chris Gent’s voice is really impressive not so much better than John Wicks but more upbeat and powerful while John’s is more introspective, Dave Whelen plays some tasty guitar lines and the songs are wonderful with some of the best hooks and choruses. To me the first 9 tracks are as good as I’ve ever heard on an album as they’re some of the sweetest yet powerful rock grooves I’ve heard in a long time but not saccharine sweet. The bonuses are great including some demos of some of the tracks sung by Chris Gent but with John Wicks on lead vocals. The Chris Gent versions sound so much better. There are also some excellent unreleased studio tracks including “Your Own Soundtrack” which opens the album and was originally meant to open the original but for some reason was left off and would be a great song to use to promote MP3 players in commercials. At the time it was about Walkmans, seriously! The rest of the original album follows in order after “Your Own Soundtrack” followed by the rest of the original album. Will Birch and John Wicks provide interesting album notes. Here are the album tracks:
[1] Your Own Soundtrack (*)
[2] Imitation Jewelry
[3] Heather and Hell
[4] Selfish Love
[5] Clown Around Town
[6] Not so Much the Time
[7] Keeping up with Jones
[8] Third Hand Information
[9] Real-Life
[10] King of Kings
[11] Cheap Detective Music
[12] Everyday Nightmare
[13] Your Own Soundtrack (John Wicks lead vocal demo) (*+)
[14] Not So Much the Time (John Wicks lead vocal demo) (*+)
[15] Third Hand Information (John Wicks lead vocal demo) (*+)
[16] On Time (demo) (*+)
[17] Insomnia - live at Hull (*+)
[18] Affection Rejected - Live at Portrush (*+)
[19] Starry Eyes - Live at Leeds (*)
[20] Lovin’ You Ain’t Easy - with jane Aire, vocal (*+)
* = bonus track
+ = previously unreleased
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