Nelson Before the Rain
by Justin Gaines
Staff Writer
Former chart-topping melodic rock band Nelson has come roaring back in recent months. In addition to the brand new studio album Lightning Strikes Twice and the live album Perfect Storm: After the Rain World Tour 1991, the band has opened the vaults and put together a collection of the original demo recordings that earned them their first record contract. Titled Before the Rain, this 18-song collection is a fascinating look back at the band’s earliest days.
The songs on Before the Rain that made it to the After the Rain album are all quite familiar, but subtly different. Obviously there’s a difference in production values, but it’s fascinating to hear the little changes that were made between demo stage and the final recordings. Different solos, vocal melodies and even lyrics show the evolution of these classic songs.
If it were just a collection of demo versions of the After the Rain songs, Before the Rain would be an interesting, but not essential release. But this collection boasts demos for a further 10 songs that never made it to any Nelson studio album. That’s what makes this album an essential purchase for serious Nelson fans. These songs, even in demo form, are outstanding, and have the same spirit as the After the Rain material, not to mention brilliant vocal harmonies, captivating melodies and hooks galore. It’s like hearing an complete Nelson album that the band somehow forgot to release in 1991.
If you’re a serious Nelson fan (and if you love this kind of early ‘90s melodic rock you should be), then Before the Rain is a must-have release. It’s a great look back at the earliest versions of Nelson’s best-known songs as well as a chance to hear vintage songs that never made the album (but were more than good enough to).
Genre: Melodic Rock
Band:
Matthew and Gunnar Nelson (all vocals and instruments)
Track Listing:
1. After the Rain
2. Bits and Pieces
3. (Can’t Live Without Your) Love and Affection
4. Will You Love Me
5. You’re All I Need Tonight
6. More Than Ever
7. (It’s Just) Desire
8. I Can Hardly Wait
9. Senorita
10. Everywhere I Go
11. Lets Get This Show On The Road
12. Far Away From Home
13. It’s Gotta Get Better
14. I Wish
15. That’s Love
16. Avalon
17. Runnin’ Outta Time (The Silence is Broken)
18. Love Is All We’ve Got
Label: Frontiers
Website: www.myspace.com/officialnelson
Hardrock Haven rating: 8/10
What hurt Nelson was the fan base – 13 year old girls – because of the glam look of the times. After the Rain was a SUPERB album from the era, with very strong songs.
I picked this up today and am blown away by the quality of the demos, even the songs that never made it. It’s a shame the Nelsons never really recaptured what they achieved with these demos. Imaginator was a great album, but had a few weak tracks that detracted. Because They Can is very good, but not a “Nelson” album. The newest album, Lightning Strikes Twice, is definitely strong and surprised me they were able to recapture a bit of the magic, but not enough. The tone seems off to me. Something just doesn’t fire fully, although, again a VERY good record.
The live disc they released is fair as well. I’m shocked they never recorded a full show, so the quality is inconsistent. Oddly, they didn’t include Love Me Today either…