FOR THE FIRST TIME EVER ON CD WE HAVE A CLASSIC UNDERGROUND POMP ROCK / AOR / PROGRESSIVE ROCK GEM FROM 1980!! A HIGHLY COLLECTIBLE ALBUM AMONG VINYL COLLECTORS , NOW YOU CAN GET THIS ELUSIVE TREASURE ON CD. HERE'S AN EXTREMELY ACCURATE REVIEW OF 'LIFER'...
This is a totally undiscovered POMP pearl from a band called LIFER. They were from Indiana and released, as far as I know, this only album. It would be too easy to compare this band with KANSAS or old STYX, but to describe this band's music, a lot of other great past pomp bands come to mind.
The opening track OLD SAILOR'S DREAM reminds very much to what FAIRCHILD did on their debut or the Canadian ROSE on their last. Strangely, this first track is a ballad kinda song with dramatic sounding guitars and nice piano keys. Good opener though. Next up is SWEET LADY, starts with a BIGHORN-kinda intro with suble keys. The song contains some strings, great harmonies and catchy chorus.
EDDIE CANASTA is the " rocker " on the album, something every late 70's - early 80's pompband had on their albums. It's the weakest song on the album, but still nice. Bit like GAMBLER.
TAKE IT AWAY, is the most progressive and uptempo one on the album with great breaks, keys, plenty guitars and fairly aggressive singing. Almost the best song.
Moving on to YOU'LL SEE ME THROUGH, is very GROUNDSTAR like. Starting with a 2 minute spacey intro, this is an uptempo mostly guitar driven guitar rocksong with great chorus and nice harmony vocals. Again a great song.
FATHER, their best song in my opinion, is very KANSAS- PATRIARCH sounding. This semi ballad has some impressive uptempo instrumental parts towards the end and has a classy pomp chorus.
YOU STEP ON ME on the other hand is very TRICKSTER - JAUGERNAUT (first albums) alike and has a bit of a melow chorus. Anyway, I love it. Last, but not least, STINKIN' THINKIN', brings the album to a close and has a spooky similar FLY BY NIGHT guitar sound and ends with an almost 3 minute jazzy outro. Great ending. Yes, before you know it, the trip is over and everyone who adores pomp-rock must look out for this album. If you ever see it, don't think twice...
|
