The latest archive release from the Atomic Rooster treasure trove finds the band at the start of the 1980's having left behind their proggier roots and embraced the latest New Wave and Heavy Rock sounds that spawned the NWOBHM movement. By now the bands line-up had reverted to what many consider to be the "classic" trio of Vincent Crane (keyboards), Paul Hammond (drums) and John Du Cann (guitar, vocals). It is Du Cann who worked on the 17 demos here, originally intended for what would have been the bands debut album for Polydor. But after the relative failure of two single releases ('Play it Again' and 'End of the Day') the label passed on the opportunity and recording proper never took place. 

So what we have here is largely Du Cann's own work, some of which offer a tantalizing glimpse of what might have been had record company executives not moved on to the 'Next Big Thing'. Du Cann's vocals are raw and raunchy and with the stark backing tracks as a backdrop songs such as 'A Matter of Time', 'Cut The Wire' and 'City Boy' are all examples of the more commercial sound into which AR had evolved. Quite understandably much of the material here would have benefited from the whole band being involved to give it the final treatment and had the band been allowed time to do the songs justice it is difficult to see how Polydor would not have been content with the end result. 

Included as 'bonus' tracks are the two Polydor singles themselves, together with their respective b-sides, the radio-friendly 'Play it Again' is exactly the kind of song that should have given AR a huge hit. A catchy hook and riff it has an electro-rock rhythm not dissimilar to that which Jethro Tull came up with on Broadsword And The Beast the following year. Whilst they often operated without a bassist for these sessions John McCoy was on hand and his trademark bass sound helps round out the bands sound. Solid live versions of their best known songs, 'Devil's Answer' and 'Tomorrow Night' are worthy additions to this collection from one of our most underrated bands. 

Available now via Angel Air. For further information on the labels other archive releases check out www.angelair.co.uk

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Track Listing

The Dukes Theme
Make Me Strong
The Devil In Me
Fool
It Can Wait Another Day
C.O.D.
Mind Over Matter
A Matter of Time
Cut The Wire
X-MASS
Open Up The Sky
City Boy
The Band Played On
Different Words
Leopard's Skin
The Buck Stops Here
Somebody's Looking After You?
Play It Again
Rebel With A Clause
Devils Answer (live)
End Of The Day
Night Living
Tomorrow Night (live)