The sound on this fabulous new musical platter from Cats In Space makes you believe that ’70s and ’80s rock never ended. This record feels like the great album that Jim Steinman never produced. The title track joyfully reminisces the best of the Alan Parsons Project. Meanwhile “My Father’s Eyes” could be a song that Bon Jovi thought was simply too good to release in 1986 and then issued “You Give Love a Bad Name” and “Livin’ On A Prayer’ instead. There have been some great power ballads, but has anyone ever created the perfect one? Cats In Space has done it now with the colossal masterpiece called “Crashing Down”. The ghost of the Alan Parsons Project rises again within “Occam’s Razor (Not The End Of The World)”. However, this time the band adds a heavy funk-rock element to some very tasty prog tropes. Steevi Bacon’s drumming is superb, and the brass sound gives the track a towering orchestral jazz feel. Damien Edward’s voice on the fragile, glorious, and simply gorgeous ballad “Forever & Ever” caps a perfect love song. This tune is made for lighters to be lit and swayed in the air in time with the music. (OK health and safety have just told me you can use mobile phone torches but not lighters, but you know what I mean, right?). “Ivory Anthem” sounds like something that Meatloaf might have covered really well and the production is a little reminiscent of Elton John’s “Funeral For A Friend”. If you don’t tap your feet and shake your head to “Run For Your Life” you need to check your pulse and get your family to book your funeral because if you don’t move your body to this great track, then clearly you have popped your clogs!
The aural experience of Peter Gabriel drawing on the sounds of the Orient is what I hear in “This Velvet Rush” but with a fully authentic gold medal (medallion?) hair metal vocal performance. Bad Company appears to occupy “Yesterdays Sensation” with a Brian May influence on guitar. But overall the sound has a pulchritudinous power-pop tone a little like Aussie rockers Sherbert. “Immortal” might seem full of lyrical cliches, but no one uses a lyrical cliche better than Cats In Space. If Paul Williams had needed extra songs for his 1974 classic “Phantom Of The Paradise, ” “When Love Collides” would be first in line. This is followed by three classy ’70s covers. These kick off with the Walker Brothers ’70s comeback single “No Regrets” (a UK top 10 hit in 1975). It is a faithful recreation with lots of soul and passionate gospel-style backing vocals. The depth of feeling and power in the Cats In Space cover of John Miles’ “Music” (A UK number 3 hit from 1976) is palpable. The band takes this song to previously uncharted heights. For me, some of Slade’s best songs were never huge hits, especially “How Does It Feel” (it reached a lowly number 15 in the UK after a run of twelve top 4 hits which included six number ones). Damien Edwards is not Noddy Holder but he draws the essence of Neville John Holder into his performance on the track. The band has transformed the slightly deep Slade cut into a six-minute epic! The album closes with a weird, wonky, and wonderful Ghost Mix of “This Velvet Rush” which changes a lot but retains the perfect vocals!
Having reread what I have just written I wonder if you might think that Cats In Space are just an exceptionally good 70s/ 80s tribute act. They are not, what they are is a great band who keep the flame of classic rock alive with some spectacularly good songs alongside some magnificent performances! You can click here to buy the album direct from the band’s website.
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