by Alexandra Mrozowska
– Senior Columnist —
How many bands from the ‘80s were thought of as promising or attention-grabbers back in the day, only to fall into obscurity and be lost in the midst of time as soon as the decade ended? A countless number, perhaps, as one can count on their fingers each of those that survived up to 2014. Some of those now-obscure acts have managed to leave the trace of their tenure on stage, however, and these out-of-print, rare albums are wildly desired by every record collector now. One of these classic rarities is Idle Tears, a 1986 self-titled album by the female-fronted AOR group that originated from Chicago, USA but moved to L.A. following their record deal with MCA Records. The band members went their separate ways soon after the release of it and if you look at the Idle Tears’ line-up, some names should definitely ring a bell – but apart from them resurfacing elsewhere, this year it’s Idle Tears all AOR fans will be chatting about, discussing their newly re-issued debut album. Yes, you’ve just read it right – Idle Tears has just been re-mastered and re-issued via Munich-based record label Yesterrock in co-operation with Erik Scott, Idle Tears’ bassist back in the day.
An intro to the album is “Star Spangled Banner” on guitar… or rather, much distorted, out-of-tune version of the national anthem of the U.S. – the effect that turns out to be deliberate as the female laughter (of the lead singer Liz Constantine) resonates. That’s how the first track “Fingers on the Pulse of America” starts – a fine piece of feisty AOR, led by a groovy guitar riff and Constantine’s sensual Lita-Ford-meets-Patti-Smyth vocals. Next are “Take Me Home” a slow-ish song driven by the omnipresent synth, and a neat, charming ballad entitled “Oh No”. While there’s nothing degrading to be said about either of these songs, it’s perhaps the slightly more uptempo repertoire Idle Tears were better at. Hence, its killer hooks of “Until You’re Down” or the captivating, synth-laden groove of “F.B.I” that is the album’s highlights rather than the slower tracks.
What else can be found on the album? A minute-and-a-half long interlude entitled “Hysterical Broads In Space”, featuring some wacky instrumental improvisations, the organic, “tribal” charm of “Paradise” and melodic-to-the-utmost “Love In The Dark”, another strong song among the entire number of nine that have made it to Idle Tears. The album finishes with a soaring, melancholic ballad “Heroes Never Cry” that brings to mind the grandiose ballad moments of female-fronted rock and slow-ish classics of Heart or Lita Ford.
For those not familiar with Idle Tears, this year’s re-issue of the group’s one and only release is a great opportunity to take a look into their repertoire. Especially that band members resurfaced in many notable rock bands later on – from Mark Free-fronted Signal to industrial metal act Ministry. And if they happen to be die-hard AOR aficionados, fond of the female-fronted minority of the genre, it’s certain they will enjoy the self-titled effort of Liz Constantine and the boys. The fact of Idle Tears being re-issued is also splendid news for the restless record collectors who sought after the album for decades but were never able to include this rarity in their meticulously gleaned collections. Either way, Idle Tears’ debut album is definitely the one worth of being unearthed and given a new lease of life into, as its pure ‘80s female-fronted AOR at its best. Recommended.
Genre: AOR, Melodic Rock
Band:
Liz Constantine – vocals
Dan Pritzker – guitars
David Resnik – guitars
Erik Scott – bass
Gregg Rich – keyboards
Tom Crowley – vocals, percussion
Additional musicians:
Craig Krampf – drums
Steve Ferrone – drums
Randy Jackson – bass
Track List:
1. Fingers On The Pulse Of America
2. Take Me Home
3. Oh No
4. Hysterical Broads In Space
5. Paradise
6. Until You’re Down
7. Love In The Dark
8. F.B.I
9. Heroes Never Cry
Label: Yesterrock, Alive
Hardrock Haven rating: 7/10
