Probably because their séants arisen between too many chairs, probably because he never quite managed to impose its not quite to them, Be-Bop Deluxe never became the huge training they deserved. This is particularly evident on Axe Victim, first game of the little guys Wakefield, Yorkshire, where, greatly influenced by the contemporary adventures of a David Bowie, training led by singer / guitarist and keyboardist as Bill Nelson (a complete musician whose voice recalls David Bowie ... you guessed it) produces a beautiful cake varied but unfortunately too fragmented, inconsistent say evil spirits, to win the votes of a public that likes nothing better than to know exactly what it will matter. And it's a shame because there sacred songs on this inaugural feature game starting with the inaugural rock, Axe Victim where good melody and excellent play of Nelson six-string offset a certain lack originality, rapid Love Is Swift Arrows that its acoustic rhythm to her vocal melody has proud allure of a Ziggy Stardust found, like the theater and the Silver Jet Dolls of Venus following, however, symptomatic of the large defect album: want to stick to the skirts of a Bowie which then has the wind in its sails. In fact, there would be satisfactory chatter guitaristic of Nelson, a high-class performer, his ability to lay good songs too, of course, all this would have excessive derivates gaits, almost embarrassing clonesques paces. In this case, if the kinship with the above is often shouting, almost pervasive, it is in the nuances Be-Bop Deluxe created its particularities (that will only grow following their cakes, phew!) That confirm live bonus of this reissue with a Piece of Mine superbly tucked and a monumental Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape with overhanging exploits of Nelson on his instruments (boy, really talented, also heard it on ebony and ivory keys keyboard). A little too follower of trends of the day in general and a certain David in particular (but never more so than Jobriath, for example), Be-Bop Deluxe therefore experience, in his brief recording career (1974-1978) quite transformations. Besides, hardly separate group, Bill Nelson will launch between synthpop and new wave in the opportunistic Red Noise project, it said. But Axe Victim, aeuvre effervescent and entertaining, good rock with some glam and progressive variations (No Trains To Heaven, orchestral Darkness) deserves your attention, it is these albums a bit lost in the limbo of time n ' not so old that won a patina and are enjoyed today with the pleasure of a discovery out of time. Recommended.
1. Axe Victim 5:14 2. Love is Swift Arrows 4:12 3. Jet Silver and the Dolls of Venus 4:10 4. Third Floor Heaven 2:27 5. Night Creatures 3:34 6. Rocket Cathedrals 3:00 7. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape 3:23 8. Jets at Dawn 7:19 9. No Trains To Heaven 6:39 10. Darkness (L'Immoraliste) 3:22 Bonus 11. Piece of Mine (Live) 5:13 12. Mill Street Junction (Live) 4:43 13. Adventures in a Yorkshire Landscape (Live) 7:56
Bill Nelson - lead vocals, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, keyboards Ian Parkin - rhythm guitar, acoustic guitar, organ Robert Bryan - bass guitar, lead vocals on "Rocket Cathedrals" Nicholas Chatterton-Dew - drums & backing vocals
