Sunday 12 August 2007

The Front - The Front (1989)


I really liked this album, the only one from a band who at the time were touted as another of those alterno-metal groups of great promise, but like so many others, i.e. Kik Tracee, Saigon Kick, Liquid Jesus, Mindfunk, I Love You, etc, etc, never lasted despite writing music that was refrshing and at times, accidentally wonderful, although it could be said that a handful of bands from the scene at the time, such Saigon Kick, Love/Hate, were actually truly amazing yet misunderstood and criminally ignored.
The Front certainly never had the majesty of say Saigon Kick, their sound coming across like a mish-mash of The Cult, The Doors, U2, a pastiche of various ‘60s groups and in the vocals of Michael Franano, Billy Idol, although I don’t think Mr Franano intended this comparison.
Even so, The Front’s only record, before changing their name to Baker’s Pink and then evaporating after one record, is still a pleasant listen, wading through a ‘60s groove, especially on ‘Sister Moon’ and ‘Sunshine Girl’, and also touching on mid-‘80s British goth rock.
I’ve always had a soft spot for the record and would recommend it to anyone, as it pretty much sums up that particular alternative metal scene that exploded yet faded so quickly simply because the bands who promised so much were just too lightweight and at times nonsensical in their alleged mysticism. Shame.

8/10

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