Adam Ant and The Gunner’s Daughter, the perfect marriage?
It’s been a long wait, almost 18 years, since Adam Ant released a studio album, so when news arrived that it was actually going to happen there was much excitement amongst the Ant community. It had been mentioned many times but, yes, a new album was most certainly on its way.
First came the single ‘Cool Zombie’ released on iTunes on 21st October last year which pretty much assured us that the long awaited album was on its way and when the demo’s were leaked on the net I couldn’t help myself, I had to hear them!
Hearing the demos, they sounded great, helped to build my excitement for the finished item. As with every album release by Adam it sounded quite different to any other and the title track along with ‘Shrink’ and ‘Cradle Your Hatred’ stood out to me as tracks that were going to be superb.
On the Sunday (before its Monday release) it was released on iTunes and not being able to wait I downloaded it. To be honest I was rather nervous as I went to play it, there had been rumours that the album had not been improved upon and was basically just the same as the demos. Well this is not the case but only just.
There are more tracks one of which is ‘Bullshit’ and I love it, with its drums it really does remind of the ‘Kings of The Wild Frontier’ album. However, to me, it still doesn’t sound quite right.
In my opinion the album sound is rather muffled in places and however you listen it sounds like it’s being played through poor quality speakers, almost like Adam had a cardboard box over the microphone occasionally. There are seemingly misplaced vocals and at times I feel that Adam is too far away from the microphone and at others far too close.
Don’t get me wrong, I love the album and it has some great tracks but I would have to agree with it sounding like an album of demos. Adam is a professional and has, for whatever reason, decided to release the album like this. Looking at the booklet that it comes with there are some photos of Adam that, I think, do not show him at his best. Maybe, as this album is reflecting his journey, the sound is meant to reflect his feelings. Or is he having a pop at the pre-manufactured music that swamps the charts? Only Adam can tell us but whatever the reason this is the album that he decided to release.
Adam sings about his time in hospital under medication, his time in America and how he feels that he’s been treated. A very personal journey shared with us through the media of music. He has overlapping vocals like on many of his songs and I personally love this. Fast songs, slow songs, tunes that I just can’t get out of my head and am looking forward to hearing live or maybe as a single release with much better production as we heard on Cool Zombie.
This is a great album that, for me, is seriously let down by its unfinished feel. Gold is a precious commodity but surely it’s much more attractive when it’s polished.
Review published with the kind permission of @robfossey
Short URL: http://80slegends.com/?p=1755
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I completely agree with Rob’s comments. Great songs but very unpolished.
Thank you for your comment Claire, the percentage of people agreeing is now 89.5
When I first heard the album and tweeted my thoughts a lot of people disagreed, some quite nasty, so I am surprised that this figure is so high
Still, it is the truth…. Some really great songs with a production value that sells them far too short :”)
I was and still am a huge fan of Adam’s, but I have to say after 18 years I expected more. I agree with the above review, luckily I can see the strength of some of the songs that aren’t polished and they have grown on me. If I had to mark it out of ten I would give it a 5, if all the songs were finished to the standard of Cool Zombie, Shrink etc. it would be higher. It is the production that lets it down.
I have to agree with the above review. I was so disappointed after listening for the first time. Admittidly the songs are growing on me and Shrink and Punkyyoungirl are my favourites along with Vince Taylor of course. However, the backing vocals are embarrassing….. better production would have improved it 100%. All this said, I’m happy Adam is making music again and maybe this was an experiment and a sort of dipping his toe in the waters to gauge public reaction. But whatever it is, I’m so looking forward to the next tour.
As a very long time fan of Adam and attendee of comeback concerts I so wanted the new album to be brilliant. It’s not it had moments but is too long, has too many fillers, does sound as though he’s in a cardboard box with a cheap mic and a rookie producer. Coll Zombie is a good single a bit Hendrix but hey joe that shit happens all the time. Punkyoungirl is a total cringefest. Adam you’re better than this. Where’s Marco?
Sorry but I just love it the way it is. Too much work is done in the studio these days so this album sounds raw and I love it. Cheers
I think there are the embers of some great songs here but the overall sound is scarily bad. It’s like my all time musical hero has chucked some ideas onto tape and rather than doing a professionally produced album with his great live band, has embellished the demos and released them. Simply put, the sound quality (especially regarding the vocals) is the worst I have ever heard.
With a proper production and a proper live band this could have made an excellent 12 song album (drum machines on Ant songs is so wrong).
If you think I’m being harsh just put the remaster of Kings and hear the layers of music and vocals and musicianship. Then go back to Blueback and tell me I’m wrong!
That said its Adam blinking Ant so rejoice but I’m not so blinkered to not see the obvious flaws.
I think Adam Ant’s new album is an autobiography of memorable events,people and feelings Adam Ant is an artist portraying what he sees not what he wants people to think he sees hence the production style. With every listen the album gets better & better with Adam’s style shinning through. I think it’s brilliant x