Releases
music
Notes
Love Don't Come Easy Anymore
Written by Michael Maxwell
Recorded & Mixed at The Grange
Toronto ON , October - December1983
except guitars added and mixed,
Montreal QC, April 2021 - March 2022
Engineer: Rick Knight, Robert Morgan
Love Don’t Come Easy Anymore Is an up-tempo pop/rock song with an 80s flair and a lyric theme indicative of the need to strive through adversity for the sake of ultimately finding true love. It features composer Michael Maxwell and David Round in an energetic dual lead vocal that is tight, punchy and rich: a signature of the band. Robert Morgan slowly builds layers of sinuous multiple guitar textures, including a focused dual lead break and a swirling, unrestrained, Hendrix-like growl that weaves in and out of the powerful vocal climax on the fade-out.
Flounder
Written by David Round
Recorded & Mixed at The Grange
Toronto ON , October - December1983
Engineer: Rick Knight
Flounder has a relaxed but infectious groove that is part funk and part spaghetti western. It is powered by driving guitars and bass, and a drum performance that’s “right in the pocket”. The lead vocal is sung by writer David Round who is joined by Michael Maxwell in the last verse for a powerful step-up in energy to conclude the song. The real star of the show though is the repeated bridge which consists of an apparent full blown choir of heavenly proportions but is actually just Mike and Dave overdubbing and layering their beautifully blended voices many times over. Flounder has always been a fan favourite.
Sing Out
Written by Robert Morgan
Recorded & Mixed at The Grange
Toronto ON, August 1982
Engineer: Rick Knight
David Round delivers a very smooth lead vocal in Sing Out, which is a Robert Morgan composition that started as a fluttering, guitar riff with a jazzy syncopation. It really comes to life when a straight quarter note groove is overlaid with solid bass and drum parts. This unexpected juxtaposition results in a catchy foot tapper propelled by an almost banjo-like guitar. The strong three-part harmony hook is actually the main part of the verse so it also functions as a chorus. These verse/choruses are separated by bridges for an unusual take on arrangement. The key word for this one is “catchy”.
It's a Wonderful Life
Written by James Malcolm
Recorded & Mixed at 18 Heaton St.
Toronto ON , April 1984
Engineer: Rick Knight
Written by James Malcolm, who is considered the poet laureate of the band, It’s a Wonderful Life has a great sing-along style chorus complete with hand claps that beg the listener to join in. The upbeat and positive message about love as the source of a wonderful life is always tempered by the qualifying line ”if you can get it”. It is easy to miss the irony at first because the song is so hopeful and bouncy but deeper reflection reminds us of the often difficult road to happiness.
More and More
Written by Michael Maxwell
Recorded & Mixed at The Grange
Toronto ON , October - December1983
Engineer: Rick Knight
A Michael Maxwell composition begun in the late 60s but not completed until the early 80s, More and More expresses the angst of knowing that a new found love may have passed the point where it might fade away. The singer cries out for more from his lover as he feels it slipping away. There is bit of in-your-face teenage attitude in its springy march tempo that is hard to resist.
I and You
Written by James Malcolm
Recorded & Mixed at The Grange
Toronto ON , October - December1983
Engineer: Rick Knight
Written by James Malcolm, I and You brings the conversation regarding sexual attraction down to its most basic, in other words, as little conversation as possible. Full of sparkle and fun, its up tempo drive oozes with anticipation.
Michael Maxwell and engineer Rick Knight at The Grange studio.