Description
Dark Star – Real To Reel LP (UK issue, inner, FM Records, released in the UK by FM Records in 1987. Catalogue NO: WKFM LP 927
VINYL: The vinyl is quite nice and shiny. Mint condition
LABELS: Mint condition
SLEEVE: EX The sleeve has some edge wear and extremely faint shelf wear on the surfaces.
NWOBHM最強の有名な曲「Lady Of Mars」を生み出したNWOBHMの超名曲は、再会後、1987 1stとはがらりと変わり、超メロディアスなサウンドで生まれ変わった彼等に当時驚いたファンも多かったと思いますが、その”メロディアス・ハード”としての完成度の高さにも驚かされたのも事実。才能の有るバンドは何をやっても優れているというのを実証した一枚であり文句なしの名作です。#1曲目超名曲 オリジナルと同じ10曲を収録。
1. Voice of America 04:13 Check edited sample: https://clyp.it/cu1q4cqi
2. Rock’n’Roll Heroes 04:22
3. Only Time Will tell 05:22
4. Spy Zone 05:37
5. Homicide on First and Last 03:02
6. Stadium of Tears 04:48
7. Sad Day in London Town 03:55
8. One Way Love 03:53
9. Goin’ Nowhere 04:30
10. Two Songs Don’t Make a Right 03:29
43:11
Mark Oseland Bass
Steve Atkins Drums
Dave Harrison Guitars
Bob Key Guitars
Rik Staines Vocals
Now highly regarded as a minor classic, this LP drew positive comparisons to Def Leppard and Diamond Head and led to touring in the U.K. and continental Europe.
A distinct change from their debut, but that was many years back. This is satisfying melodic rock AOR with quality production and arrangements.
So, what actually transpires here for the entire 43 minutes of music found on this album is pretty laid back and enjoyable by today’s standards, without being cheesy or anything like that. Good ole-fashioned heavy rock with a couple of harder edged touches every now and then pressed against a glossy but balanced sound.
To my knowledge, the band had pretty much broken up by 1987, so what we have here is the original singer Rick Staines, guitarists Dave Harrison and Bob Key, as well as a host of guest/session musicians as illustrated on the back. That qualifies as a pretty patchy line-up, but surprisingly the album itself works as a whole.
Highlights include the anthemic opener “Voice of America”, the nostalgic “Rock n Roll Heroes”, the memorable ballad “Only Time Will Tell”, the furious “Spy Zone”, the funky “Sad Day in London Town” , and just weird album closer “Two Songs Don’t Make a Right”.
I must add here that the band features a saxophone player on some tracks, something that hardly feels out of place with the mood of the album.
Overall the band more than makes up for it with great musicianship and enthusiasm. Dark Star never made it , but this, their swan song is definitely a great way to end a respectable career.
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Dark Star were NWOBHM contenders when they released their self-titled debut in 1981. By the time Real To Reel hit the streets in 1987 it was far too late for anyone to care. In fact, the album was said to be completed as a studio-only project, as Dark Star’s days of a gigging band were over. I guess that’s how the album got it’s clever title. For fans of the warm and welcoming debut, Real To Reel is a worthy second act. Rather than barrage you with a wall of guitars and thundering drums, Dark Star greeted you with a pleasant smile and a firm hand shake. Check out the perfect bit of songwriting that is One Way Love. What a tasty little rock snack!
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THIS MIDLANDS band, originally called Berlin, were years ahead of their time.
Dark Star were led by the strange, charismatic and hairy Rick Staines, who had a penchant for leather trousers and kimonos. His band appeared on the classic first ‘Metal For Muthas’ volume 2 released by EMI with their best cut, ‘Lady Of Mars’.
The song was to appear again on their cult début album ‘Dark Star’ put out through Avatar in 1981.
‘Dark Star’ was full of weird and wonderful, slightly spacey, British Metal that came across as refreshingly
original for the period, when so many were content to plagiarize old Sabbath and Judas Priest riffs.
Amazingly enough, a slightly revamped, more mature version of Dark Star reappeared after a five year absence
in 1987 on the FM/Revolver label with a new album called ‘Real To Reel’ but by then the band had moved into a totally new direction.
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Formed in Birmingham, England, in 1978, by ex-Sweaty Betty vocalist / keyboard player Rik Staines and ex-Suicide guitarists, Dark Star are best known for their single ‘Lady Of Mars’ which was included on the legendary NWOBHM compilation ‘Metal For Muthas Volume 2’, and was a firm favourite in rock clubs at the time.
They released their début self titled album in 1981, which gave us classic NWOBHM tracks like ‘Kaptain Amerika’, ‘Backstreet Killer’ and ‘Green Peace’.
Over the years Dark Star toured with bands such as Budgie, Magnum and Ten Years After, also embarking on the ‘Metallical Mystery Tour’ with labelmates Limelight and Chevy.
In 1985 Dark Star sadly called it a day, with a further studio album ‘Real To Real’ emerging on FM Revolver in 1987.
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