Search - Power Station :: Power Station

Outstanding tribute/retrospective package

Brent A. Anthonisen | Alpharetta, GA, USA | 04/14/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ages ago I wrote that "The Power Station" was one of the most important records of the decade of the 1980's, and I still stand by that. It certainly was was the most important record for the late Robert Palmer as he spent the rest of the decade re-making it to considerable success as he reviatalized his solo career on an exponential basis.



But it also changed the way popular music was written and recorded and ushered in (for better or for worse) an era when drums were given massive boosts in recording mixes and when guitarists were given free reign to rock in what had been an ocean of synth-pop sterility for the years leading up to 1985; pop music once again rediscovered the sound of the wailing electri guitar solo.



Twenty years later we have this re-issued deluxe package which includes (as far as I can tell) every studio recording the Power Station's orignal line-up ever released from their 1985 recording sessions, including (FINALLY) a song which had been earmarked for release with live material on an EP that never materialized as Duran Duran (almost) reformed near the end of 1985; the song was originally called "We Fight For Love" and appeared during the end credits of one of AH-NOHLD Schwarzenegger's more forgettable early action films "Commando"; it is the only studio track ever recorded with guest touring vocalist Michael Des Barres and is arguably the most hard-edged song they ever produced. On this release it is retitled "Somewhere Somehow Someone's Going To Pay" (which originally appeared on the "Commando" movie posters) and it gives a hint as to what direction The Power Station would have gone had they remained together with Des Barres singing; it's extremely thought-provoking, actually (though not necessarily artistically brilliant).



Also included is a DVD transfer of the orignal "made-for-MTV" Sony mini-doc of the making of the album and "Some Like It Hot" video, as well as videos for "Some Like It Hot", "Bang A Gong", and the rarely seen (and obviously hastily pieced together "Communication". I still have this on VHS somewhere, actually...nice to see it on DVD; it was completely unexpected.



But the most interesting added nugget is the old "Saturday Night Live" performance of "Some Like It Hot". There is a flaw or two in the source tape, but the performance itself is exceelent and it is, as far as I know, the only time the band performed live with Robert Palmer singing...definitely a nice touch.



The only drawback (for this edition, anyway) is the lack of liner notes included with the release, particularly considering the addition of new materials and the extremely poignant fact that, save for John and Andy Taylor safely recording and touring with Duran Duran again, almost everyone else assoicated with this band is now deceased (Robert Palmer, drummer extraordinaire Tony Thompson, and producer/spot bass soloist Bernard Edwards). Even the lyrics provided with the CD's original release are gone. It's a small complaint, and it certainly doesn't affect th enjoyability of the listening/viewing experience, but it seems glaringly obvious that some sort of literature or documentation would be accompanying this otherwise outstanding re-issue of a truly fantastic seminal recording."

The definitive supergroup!

Jason Voorhees | Camp Crystal Lake | 05/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Most supergroups fail. Take a look at Audioslave, in which Chris Cornell and the rejects from Rage Against the Machine made a disastrous album of fake "alternative" rock. The Power Station, on the other hand, is a different story. Robert Palmer with John and Andy Taylor of Duran Duran made history by making one of the most hotly anticipated albums of all time. Throw in drummer Tony Thompson and you've got a record that will give you goose pimples. Duran Duran is a brilliant group to begin with but they take it to a whole new level with classics like "Some Like it Hot." Well, this whole album is "hot," and it shows why Duran Duran is the most in-demand group around. Oh, I could listen to this CD a thousand times and never get bored. This is the way a REAL rock record should sound like.

"

Power Station... Powerful and more powerful

RW Griffith | Linear North | 10/30/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This was one hell of an amazing collaboration, Robert palmer plus the guitarist and bassist from Duran Duran, as well as the extremely talented Tony Thompson. From beginning with Some Like it Hot to the end, the album just explodes with all kinds of power and just incredible guitar rock thanks to the very talented Andy Taylor who just holds nothing back in any of his solos. John Taylor also of Duran Duran had to himself get some learning to play his bass better than ever on this album, he does and Tony Thompson definitely makes this album come alive especially in the very strong and energy driven beats of "Some like it hot". Whether you're a rock or Duran Duran fan, you MUST get this album or you're doing yourself a huge disservice."