Search - Missing Persons :: Spring Session M

Rhyme & Reason....too

Bart Cabezas | Sydney, AUSTRALIA | 07/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm supposed to say something about Spring Session M., which is definitely a "must have" MP cd since it practically showcases Dale Bozzio's unique phasing of words but forgive me, for I cannot help but react and agree with one reviewer regarding another work by this fabulous 80s rock band. Missing Persons was also very well known for their flambouyance, courtesy of Ms. Bozzio, of course and some really rockin' music, a distinguishing charateristic of most 80s stuff.For the cut "Words" alone, you simply have had ur money's worth. I happen to own the Spring Session M. cd, their Best of cd and of course...The Rhyme & Reason album (vynil format)which for me is FARRRR SUPERIOR than their Spring Session stuff. Songs like The Closer That You Get, Surrender Your Heart, Right Now & Clandestine People...WOW! I also am a proud owner of the 12 inch lp format of the single GIVE which i think is one song that marked the emergence of confident female rockers in the 80's...the likes of Martha Davis (The Motels) and Terri Nunn (Berlin). But really, it's a PITY AND SHAME that Capitol Records (big HELLO Capitol!)overlooked the re-release of Rhyme & Reason album on cd format but I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that it'll be re-released probably by Cema budget records or some unknown record company in Japan. Meantime, all my Missing Persons stuff (specially Rhyme & Reason lp) are kept under lock and key. If your into guitar riffs, a little bit of synths and some out of this world vocals...try listening to MISSING PERSONS...their previous materials are almost as rare as a panda...grab em when u chance upon them and enjoy!"

Amazing musicians, amazing recording... influential!!

Arbon M. Reimer | Golden, CO United States | 03/13/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I remember seeing "Words" on MTV so many years ago when I was very young and thought it was pretty weird.I saw "Words" on MTV recently and thought it was pretty weird.But the music on Spring Session M is so well crafted and performed such that I think it's one of the most influential albums of the period. So much music in the following years emulated Missing Persons.I wouldn't describe this album completely as pop... I call this progressive rock. Drummer Terry Bozzio, bassist Patrick O'Hearn and guitarist Warren Cucurullo are all Frank Zappa band alumni focusing their ridiculous amount of musical talent on solid songwriting and performance.My favorite band, Rush, must have listened to Spring Session M nonstop because they basically changed their sound so similar to what's on this record with their 1982 "Signals" effort. The drum beat on Rush's song "Chemistry" is lifted from "Mental Hopscotch" to the note. Neil Peart plays Terry Bozzio's fills. Alex Lifeson plays Warren Cucurullo's guitar lines.And they're not without a sense of humor... "Walking in L.A." is especially tongue-in-cheek, as is "Words". I recommend this record to anyone who wants to listen to really solid song-oriented rock and while the sounds may be dated, performances and songs of this quality won't go out of style. But blue hair will. Oh well."

The "Must Have" Missing Persons Album

ransom22 | 01/04/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"While not their best effort (that came later, with Rhyme & Reason), this album is still the "must have" disc. Everyone who remembers the early 80's should have a copy of this one - Missing Persons were one of the truly interesting and innovative new wave bands, and their music is worth listening to. In particular, "Windows," "Destination Unknown" and "Words" are exceptional. I still remember the first time I heard "Destination Unknown" on MTV. It was an absolutely mesmerizing song, and now, after all these years, it still has an effect on me. One final note: I'm glad they decided to re-release all three Missing Persons albums on CD, but I do wish they would have left them as they were originally. Tacking on extra material is silly, as none of it was good enough to make the cut the first time around, so why bother? Also, the live material at the end of "Rhyme and Reason" is really poorly recorded . . . I could have done without hearing it."