Here's a collection of catchy songs by Straight Eight, a long-forgotten band from West London that in the late Seventies and early Eighties almost hit the big time. With its distinct American rock sound (think The Cars and, later, Foreigner) that belied Straight Eight's British roots, these guys toured with Queen, recorded with and for Pete Townshend on his fledgling label Eel Pie Records and were slated to open for The Who on a world tour when Keith Moon's deteriorating condition sidelined those plans.
On top of all that, Straight Eight's third and final album, Straight to the Heart — recorded for RCA in 1982 as a "heavy rock AOR album" at the label's request — sat on the shelf until Angel Air unearthed it for this two-disc set featuring all three of Straight Eight's albums: No Noise From Here, "Shuffle 'n' Cut and Straight to the Heart.
These 38 songs were recorded between 1978 and 1982, and among the four bonus tracks is the rarity "Spread It Around" — the cut Straight Eight made with Townshend producing and playing keys. Surprisingly, it's weaker than many other tracks here, both structurally and sonically. What's more, Peter Makowski's liner notes could be more informative, but some history is better than none.
Once again, Angel Air has given new life to vintage artists that deserve the recognition they never received.
Track Listing
CD 1:
1) I Idolise You
2) Tell Me If You Wanna Bleed
3) Nicotine Boys
4) Another Loosa
5) Running
6) Modern Times
7) Heartbreaker
8) Nothing to Live For
9) It's Down to You
10) Night and Day
11) Angel
12) Take It All Back
13) I'm Sorry
14) I Can't Stop
15) Power Cut
16) Tonite
17) When I'm Alone With You
18) Tombstone
19) On the Rebound
20) Christine
21) Will You Love Me
22) Don't Turn Your Back
23) Satisfied
24) Only You
CD 2:
1) Faded Stars
2) Tomorrow
3) Desperation
4) You Are What You Are
5) Walls Can't Keep Us Apart
6) Straight to the Heart
7) One More Chance
8) I Don't Need Your Lovin'
9) Only the Truth Hurts
10) Next Time
11) Spread it Around (Bonus Track)
12) It Ain't Easy (Bonus Track)
13) Oh No (Bonus Track)
14) Stay With Me (Demo)
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