Bram Tchaikovsky's Funland is an album of earnest, capable, appealing rock n' roll. While delivering no New Statement, the skill and sincerity with which old lodes are mined revivifies standard rock song forms and makes for a refreshing listen.
No pretension here but that's probably because there's little here to justify a big head. More like a clear head, as Bram and cohorts deliver eleven muscular tunes that invite bopping if not thought.
Brilliant power pop, unlike the first two albums which were more pub rock, similar to Bram's first band The Motors. This must have been Bram's musical statement as most of the songs only credit him as the author.
He does however get a lot of help from former Motor mates Nick Garvey and Andy McMaster with Nick being the co-producer along with Bram. Starting right off with "Stand and Deliver" they set the tone for what follows. With layers of power chords I would probably call this power pop with texture. Most of the first side follows this formula. The second side is more diversified with each of the six songs crossing a different genre. The closing "Egyptian Mummies" even has a psychedelic tinge.
The big and airy production, not so much "Wall of Sound" as hedge or thicket of sound, understands the importance of the drum kit, giving snare and kick wide room and reverb enough for thunder.
The guitar playing, however (by Bram and Denis Forbes), highlights the action: a savvy mix of Roger McGuinn's chiminess and Pete Townshend's suspended chord drama, countered by some nice trebled sounds strong on twang - less New Wave than a nod to the old masters - More Ricky Nelson than Ricky Wilson. Though the lyrics are mainly cleverly inoffensive, there's one real bit of wit in "Why Does My Mother 'Phone Me? (just to say that she don't like me)"
Ultimately, not enough Necessary Negative (hurt, bitterness, arrogance, spite) twists this well done offering into great rock n' roll. Bram's parent group, the Motors, remains the more imaginative and Tchaikovsky takes his place among the English Positivists (Edmunds, Lowe et. al.) - Elvis Costello without the headache or the touch of genius.
Side one
1. Stand And Deliver - 3:30
2. Shall We Dance? - 3:06
3. Heart Of Stone - 3:30
4. Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache - 2:40
5. Model Girl - 4:32
Side two
1. Why Does My Mother 'Phone Me? - 3:29
2. Used To Be My Used To Be - 2:56
3. Soul Surrender - 3:30
4. Together My Love - 3:50
5. Miracle Cure - 2:44
6. Egyptian Mummies - 4:18
Companies, etc.
- Phonographic Copyright ℗ – Arista Records, Inc.
- Copyright © – Arista Records, Inc.
- Record Company – Ariola Benelux B.V.
- Produced At – Rockfield Studios
- Published By – Bram Tchaikovsky Music Ltd.
- Published By – Warner Bros. Music Ltd.
- Published By – Screen Gems-Columbia
- Published By – Virgin Music Ltd.
Credits
- Backing Vocals – Bram
- Bass Guitar – Lord Richard Itchington
- Design – Howard Fritzson
- Drums – Derek Ballard
- Engineer – Michael Barbiero
- Engineer [Assisted] – Don Wershba
- Guitar – Bram Tchaikovsky, Denis Forbes
- Illustration – Carolyn Beale
- Lead Vocals – Bram Tchaikovsky
- Producer – Bram Tchaikovsky, Nick Garvey
Notes
Release: 1981
Format: LP
Genre: Pop, Rock
Label: Arista Records
Catalog# 203.725
Vinyl: VG
Cover: VG
Prijs: €10,00
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