Ian Matthews - Spot Of Interference
Line Records  (1988)
General Folk

In Verzameling
#150

0*
CD    11 tracks 
   01   I Survived The 70's            
   02   She May Call You Up Tonight            
   03   I Can't Fade Away            
   04   The Hurt            
   05   Driftwood From Disaster            
   06   Why Am I?            
   07   No Time At All (See How They Run)            
   08   For The Lonely Hunter            
   09   See Me            
   10   Civilisation            
   11   What Do I Do?            
Details
Cat. nummer ROC 112
Verpakking Jewel Case
SPARS DDD
Geluid Stereo
Opmerkingen
With his previous outing, the overly polished Siamese Friends (1979), Ian Matthews failed to capitalize on the Top 20 success of "Shake It," from his 1978 release, Stealin' Home. He quickly returned the following year with a new U.S. label, a new direction, and a new album, Spot of Interference. His third straight record produced by Sandy Roberton, Spot of Interference leaves behind the MOR feel that had dominated his last four or five years, in favor of a power pop and new wave sound that fits him curiously well. Aside from pairing once again with Roberton, he also continues his work with Siamese Friends songwriting collaborators and musicians Bob Metzger and Mark Griffiths. These teamings yield some fine moments and performances, but it's covers like the frenetic pop/rock of "I Survived the '70s" and Jules Shear's "Driftwood From Disaster" that push Matthews, as well as his ordinarily sweet tenor, to the limit. And though this may seem a bit out of character, he never comes off like a misplaced folkie. Other highlights include former bandmate Richard Thompson's social rant, "Civilisation," as well as an updated version of the Left Banke's "She May Call You Up Tonight," which sounds as fresh here as it did in 1967. His one and only release for RSO Records, Spot of Interference was Matthews' best album since Some Days You Eat the Bear and Some Days the Bear Eats You in 1974.