ALPHA CENTAURI 'S/T' CANDY408
AS HIGHLY RATED collectibles go the Alpha Centauri album has to be one of the most coveted records of all time. It’s an album that spent years lurking in the shadows, heard by few but lauded quite rightly as a masterpiece of 70s rock, embroidered with the all the moves and grooves of the great headlining acts of the day. Compared favourably to such heavy hitters as Deep Purple, Uriah Heep, Styx, Angel and Head East, the band’s style was a formidable blast of pompous energy but not, it must be said, a carbon copy or pastiche. This was a unit that knew how to play and also how to write serious material.
Originally thought to have originated from Canada, it came as something of a surprise to eventually find out that they were formed and mainly based in Colorado, but had moved to Winnipeg for a while to expand their horizons and record an album. Represented by an expat British manager, they planned to issue the record for promotion (it’s thought that 300 copies were pressed at the time) using it to attract major label interest. However, despite concerted efforts and a professionally filmed half hour live-in-concert appearance for Canadian TV, it all failed to achieve the desired attention.
Issued in 1977, on the band’s own Salt Records label, the album is a masterclass in heavy pomp rock, showcasing a band who could not only write catchy melodies but also imbue them with the sort of stunning arrangements normally associated with far more successful groups. Tracks such as ‘Hard Life’, ‘Love Is A Curse’ and ‘One Night At A Time’ benefit enormously from stellar instrumental dog fights. In particular, the guitar playing of Jess Redmon is off the chart, drawing accurate comparisons to Ritchie Blackmore and Tommy Bolin.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet – 3,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with unpublished photos and new band interview.
TRACK LISTING: 1. HARD LIFE 2. ONE NIGHT AT A TIME 3. I’M A REBEL 4. EARTH IN MOTION 5. LOVE IS A CURSE 6. YOU SHOT ME DOWN 7. LOVE ONLY YOU 8. MAKE IT AT ROCK ‘N’ ROLL
MAX WEBSTER 'A MILLION VACATIONS' CANDY393
WHEN IT COMES to capturing the imagination and interest of progressive rock fans then Max Webster must surely be one of the successful. Once you get your head around the fact that they weren’t actually named after a real person, so no one in the band was actually called Max Webster, then suddenly all the weirdness becomes acceptable and endearing. It’s amazing to think that at one point the band actually grazed the UK singles chart and appeared on Top Of The Pops, the bastion of British light entertainment.
This was Max Webster’s fourth album, their most commercially palatable album by a country mile, and it’s one that secured them not only a Platinum record in Canada, with three hit singles, but also opened up the international market when they supported Rush on their 1979 ‘Hemispheres’ European tour. The album, in keeping with their quirky unconventional approach, was helmed not by a record producer who was a TV advertising executive and jingle writer. It was actually a smart move as the record not only celebrated their progressive rock roots but also showcased a determined ambition to widen their appeal to a broader market.
Recorded in their native Canada, at Phase One Studios, Ontario, the album contains a number of key tracks; including ‘Let Go The Line’, ‘Night Flights’ and the title track. Best of all though is ‘Paradise Skies’, a triumphant and hugely captivating composition that nearly, but not quite, secured them an international hit. It’s also a record that captured some of band leader Kim Mitchell’s most fluent and impressive guitar solos.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet – 4,000 word essay, enhanced artwork with and interview quotes.
TRACK LISTING: 1. PARADISE SKIES 2. CHARMONIUM 3. NIGHT FLIGHTS 4. SUN VOICES 5. MOON VOICES 6. A MILLION VACATIONS 7. LOOK OUT 8. LET GO THE LINE 9. RASCAL HOUDI 10. RESEARCH (AT BEACH RESORTS)
THE SCREAM 'LET IT SCREAM' CANDY384
THERE ARE TIMES here at Rock Candy HQ when our jaws hit the deck and much scratching of heads ensues. This was exactly what happened when we reacquainted ourselves with The Scream’s solitary album, a record that flew under the radar when it was first released, but has subsequently become one of the most respected and revered releases from the early 90’s. It represented a high point for blistering blues-based hard rock. But as we know, grunge engulfed them and others but at least they didn’t go down without a fight.
‘Let It Scream’ was recorded in LA. It was the product of an experienced line up that featured former members of Racer X and Americade, fronted by former Angora singer John Corabi. The band attracted the interest of a few labels and eventually signed with the newly-formed Hollywood label (funded by Disney). Produced by industry legend Eddie Kramer (Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Fastway) and originally issued in 1991, the album is a riot of riffs and thrills, with Corabi surrounded by the sort of thunderous mayhem that wouldn’t sound out of place on an Aerosmith, Cinderella or Skid Row record.
Although the album failed to sell well it did turn heads, not least of all Nikki Sixx and Tommy Lee of Mötley Crüe who, the very day that Vince Neil had left the band, placed a fateful call to Corabi encouraging him to audition as his replacement. Not unexpectedly he accepted the offer, leaving behind an impressive legacy before moving on to other projects, and eventually joining the Dead Daisies.
SPECIAL DELUXE COLLECTOR’S EDITION. Fully Remastered Audio, 16 page full colour booklet – 4,500 word essay, enhanced artwork with and new interview.
TRACK LISTING: 1. OUTLAW 2. I BELIEVE IN ME 3. MAN IN THE MOON 4. FATHER, MOTHER, SON 5. GIVE IT UP 6. NEVER LOVED HER ANYWAY 7. TELL ME WHY 8. LOVES GOT A HOLD ON ME 9. I DON’T CARE 10. EVERY INCH A WOMAN 11. YOU ARE ALL I NEED 12. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN 13. YOUNG AND DUMB BONUS TRACKS (LIVE 1992) 14. OUTLAW 15. GIVE IT UP 16. I BELIEVE IN ME 17. FATHER, MOTHER, SON 18. CATCH ME IF YOU CAN 19. LICK AND A PROMISE
