Search - Badfinger :: Airwaves { Bonus Tracks }

Sometimes the signal gets a little lost or garbled

Wayne Klein | My Little Blue Window, USA | 11/05/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Without Pete Ham Badfinger floundered. The founding member's suicide in 1975 saddened fans of the band and put a creative strain on the remaining members. It also sapped their creative energy. Reportedly both Evans and Molland had their doubts about continuing the Badfinger name. The expectations would be high for their work even without Ham. Still, it did guarentee an audience in the form of the band's fans. Remaining members Joey Molland and Tom Evans () are joined by guitarist/ vocalist Joe Tasnin. Mike Gibbins had been invited back, but fired shortly before recording of Airwaves began. He is sorely missed although session player Andy Newmark and temporary member Ken Harck do an admirable job on most of the songs. Inspite of all this Airwaves succeeds more often than it fails.While the songs are catchy and well written, the arrangements are a little MOR and reflect the lost vitality and uncertainity of the band. Producer David Malloy is frequently criticized for his "over the top" production style, but, in all fairness, it does recall the detailed production work by Todd Rundgren and George Harrison from Straight Up. He seems to be compensating for some of the weaker material. Sail Away, Look Out California amd Love is Gonna Come At Last all would have fit right in with the quality material on Straight Up or No Dice.The late session ace Nicky Hopkins helps to flesh out the band's sound. Despite the evident flaws on this album, it's nice to have Airwaves back after a twenty year absence.The follow up Say No More would boast sharper songwriting from Evans and Molland. Say No More had considerable spark despite pedestrian production due to the inclusion of Yes keyboardist Tony Kaye as a full time member of the band. That album also benefited from Richard Bryans who replaced Mike Gibbins briefly when Gibbins quit in the 70's.Both albums should be added to any fan's collection although they might not be the place to start for new fans."

AN UNEXPECTED COMEBACK THAT DESERVED BETTER

Jason A. Levine | 10/15/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I sure was surprised to see this record re-issued on CD. Grossly ignored upon its original release in 1979, this is the last successful recorded attempt at greatness for two integral members of Badfinger (Tom Evans and Joey Molland). It deserved a better fate. The 9 original songs sound better than ever. The late Tom Evans especially shines on this record. In the past, Evans appeared disinterested on some Badfinger records, barely contributing a song or two. On this record, his writing is in peak form. "Lost Inside Your Love", "Lookout California" and "Sail Away" rank with the best of Badfinger. The quiet vocal/piano interplay on "Sail Away" is simply haunting. Elsewhere Joe Tansin contributes two excellent songs with great vocals by Tom Evans. Ironically, Joey Molland never wrote a Badfinger hit song nor a strong candidate for a single. But on this record he contributes his best songs since "Straight Up". His "Love is Gonna Come at Last" sounds like a hit single if released in a different era. The only minor downside are the bonus tracks. Though all are pleasant enough, none really stand out as anything special. Unfortunately, none feature the wistful vocals of Tom Evans. For one final time, the magic of badfinger was captured on record."

Badfinger In Pristine Digital...(with a touch of 70s kitch)

Jason A. Levine | Seattle, WA USA | 06/27/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"So, 1979...not the greatest year for 'rock and roll'...but with the release of Airwaves, the boys proved that rock was not dead, but alive in those groovy enough to remember how to do it, and do it well. From the opening track (an acoustic snippet, leading into Look Out California) we hear vintage Tommy Evans, belting out a fabulous rocker. And it doesn't slow down there...Lost Inside Your Love has a sweet, almost 'yesterday' like string arrangement, and the vocals (and harmonies) are pure Apple-days. The best, in my opinion, are two Joey Molland tunes, Love Is Gonna Come at Last (which could be a hit today) and The Winner (actually a Tansin number, but sung by Molland)...All in all, a fab collection (with Evans' Sympathy, though a bare production, sounding very clean and punchy). And on a remastering note: it rocks. Unfortunately, the 'Apple' Badfinger catalog was marred by early 90s Abbey Road engineer Ron Furmanek's over-use of No-Noising and as a result, high end (and even low presence) suffered. Not on this release...The cymbals and voices are clean and bright (without being harsh) and the Kick drum and Tommy's bass actually are VERY audible. I'd have to say that the Tansin bonus tracks simply DON'T belong. Decent songs, but clearly recorded in the mid-80s with an Alesis Drum Machine...save for his Evans tribute "Can You Feel The Rain..." Check this one out...It won't disappoint you."