Phil Dirt - Reverb Central - PO Box 1609, Felton, CA 95018-1609 USA
The Rapiers - You're Never Alone With The Rapiersdotdotdot
artworkThis is the first new album in almost a decade from one of Britain's early rock bands. They have retained their credibility and edge very well. The production, while modern and clean, is much as Joe Meek would have done it back in the early sixties. Highly compressed and thick, yet with every detail crisp and clear. 9 excellent instros and 6 vintage rock 'n' roll vocals grace the disc. While well within the British rock instro genre made most familiar by the Shadows, this is fresh and very much the Rapiers own sound. An excellent CD.
Picks: Lynch Mob, The Phantom Stage, Barney's Blues, Captain Scarlet, Robbesque, Spanish Armada, Lauren's Theme, Shady Character, The Lonely Man Theme

Track by Track Review


Lynch Mob dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

A Faster track, very much like Hank Marvin might do it. It is an interesting melody, intensely played. Lots of energy.

The Phantom Stage dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Thick cowboy tinged and adventurous, this Euro instro sports lots of drive and spunk. The thickness of the production has hints of Joe Meek. Quite cool.

Barney's Blues dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

"Barney's Blues" is a soft blues instro with a jazzy edge. A little like something from Chet Atkins or Johnny Smith, this floats through a smooth arrangement of soft sounds and tones.

Captain Scarlet dotdotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Giant compressed drums and space effects power this quirky instro. It's a bit like the poppier side of the Tornados, and heavy handed with compression. It's quite a marvel what the Joe Meek compressors can do. Really cool.

Robbesque dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This galloping instro is light hearted and adventurous, in a heavier Shadows tradition, with eastern European elements. Quite a nifty track.

Spanish Armada dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

A moody organ opens this funky plucky track. The Shadows basis is not overpowering, and the haunted echo brings a sense of risk. Thick production and a quaint British instro sound. Quite enjoyable. I don't detect a Spanish influence.

Lauren's Theme dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

This "Sleep Walk"-ish number floats on a boulevard of post teen hop romance. Drifty and light weight, "Lauren's Theme" waxes eloquent about the object of desire.

Shady Character dotdotdot
Rock (Instrumental)

Big tom-toms open this uniquely British tune. Dramatic, exotic, and a bit ethereal, yet brash and spunky. Lots of drum solos pushed to the huge side with chamber reverb. In some ways, there's the feeling of a fifties Latin jazz epic like "Cuban Potato Chip." Goodness!

The Lonely Man Theme dotdotdot
MOR (Instrumental)

"The Lonely Man Theme" is a fluffy MOR dreamer, with echo used to the max to create that dream state. melodic and mature.