Genre Leaders Return via Outstanding Titles

A trio of new albums and a music documentary newly out on DVD and Blu-ray are all essential for rock fans.

Artist: A Flock of Seagulls (with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra)
Title: Ascension (August Day Records)
You might like if you enjoy: A Flock of Seagulls, The Cars
Tell me more: It's wonderful to hear all four original members of A Flock of Seagulls back together on Ascension, an album that finds the groundbreaking English quartet joining forces with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra to offer up creative reworkings of many of the band's most-loved '80s hits. Brothers Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) and Ali Score (drums), Frank Maudsley (bass guitar) and Paul Reynolds (guitar) carved out a groundbreaking synth-pop sound during the early 1980s and released a slew of infectious songs (including three top 40 singles) that explored the synthesis of love, technology and science fiction during the dawn of the personal computer. It's no wonder the band was selected to perform at Apple co-founder Gary "Woz" Wozniak's US Festival in May 1983 (the event held at Glen Helen Regional Park in 1982 and again in 1983 is widely recognized as the predecessor of Coachella). Ascension is A Flock of Seagulls' sixth studio album, and the first since 1984 (the wonderful The Story of a Young Heart) that features all four original members. Among the early tracks that most benefit from the new symphonic arrangements are the pulsating "Modern Love Is Automatic," buoyant "Telecommunication," lush "Space Age Love Song" and intoxicating "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)." Later-disc standouts include the edgy "Nightmares" (which fully utilizes the fusion of band and orchestra), the driving instrumental "DNA" and sublime "The More You Live." Information: aflockofseagulls.org.

Artist: Gin Blossoms
Title: Mixed Reality (Cleopatra Records)
You might like if you enjoy: The Gin Blossoms, Matthew Sweet
Tell me more: Formed in Tempe, Arizona in 1987, the Gin Blossoms created a melodically-rich style of modern rock; the band's 1992 breakout disc New Miserable Experience resonated like few alt rock albums that decade and spawned four Top 40 singles (including "Hey Jealousy" and "Found Out About You). Fast forward to 2018 and the talented troupe has returned with Mixed Reality, the Blossoms' first new studio album since 2010's No Chocolate Cake. The great news for Gin Blossoms fans is the group's timeless sound and strength as songwriters endures across Mixed Reality. Those looking to be swept up in the band's driving rhythms, shimmering guitars (courtesy of Jesse Valenzuela and Scott "Scotty" Johnson) and Robin Wilson's signature lead vocals will find all those outstanding elements on full display across the ambitious 15-track Mixed Reality. The highlights abound on the LP, with the harmonies-rich "Break," exhilarating,"Face the Dark," wistful alt-country ballad "Girl on the Side" and guitar-fueled jangle pop standout "Still Some Room in Heaven" among this writer's early favorites on the disc. The stellar track list continues with the lovely "Wonder," freewheeling garage rocker "Shadow" and melodic "Mega Pawn King" among the later treasures. Working with legendary producer Don Dixon (The Smithereens, Tommy Keene) and noted engineer Mitch Easter (R.E.M., Game Theory), Mixed Reality is a stellar return for one of power pop's most beloved modern-day heroes. Information: Information: ginblossoms.net.

Artist: Dave Matthews Band
Title: Come Tomorrow (RCA)
You might like if you enjoy: Dave Matthews Band
Tell me more: Despite years of success as a touring collective and a string of celebrated album releases, the Dave Matthews Band remains unique. Blending jam rock, roots, blues, jazz and a genre-defying eclecticism, DMB's timeless approach continues to radiate brightly on the newly-released Come Tomorrow, which is the troupe's first new studio album since 2012's "Away from the World." Take the lead-off track "Samurai Cop (Oh Joy Begin)," with its mix of anthemic celebration and melancholy somehow locked in perfect unison. The affecting "Can't Stop" wins with its heavy use of percussion, sublime layers of vocal harmonies and a sonic cacophony throughout the song's latter half. "Here On Out" finds Matthews treating listeners to an almost-Baroque Pop treatment worthy of Burt Bacharach or Ron Sexsmith's most intimate material. "Come On Come On" is a beautiful expression of the power of love, and the song's soundscape captures that with power and sonic tone. The sonically diverse title track "Come Tomorrow" is propelled by both rhythm and symphonic swings; the closing track "When I'm Weary" features Matthews' most intimate singing voice, at times going into a falsetto and packing an emotional wallop in its brief two-minute span. My favorite track is "Virginia In the Rain," an expansive and beguiling song whose sway grows with each subsequent listen. The DMB will headline at the Hollywood Bowl on Sept. 10, 2018. Information: DaveMatthewsBand.com.

Artist: Jeff Beck
Title: Still On The Run – The Jeff Beck Story (Eagle Rock Entertainment)
You might like if you enjoy: Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, David Gilmour
Tell me more: Jeff Beck has long been recognized as one of the most talented and innovative electric guitar players on the planet. On the aptly-titled documentary Still On The Run – The Jeff Beck Story, a parade of musical greats help tell the story of the Surrey, England native. Over the course of the 90-minute documentary, old photographs and historic film and video clips showcase his development as an artist, and interviews with band mates, album producers and industry insiders help tell the story of the enigmatic artist. Highlights of the fast-moving and fascinating documentary include details on Beck's friendship with Jimi Page (the two met in their early teens and were bandmates in the Yardbirds), his success with several different incarnations of the Jeff Beck Group and his solo masterworks (including Blow By Blow and Wired). The scenes of Beck building and restoring hot rods add depth and seem to provide a comfortable setting for the admittedly-reserved Beck to open up on camera. Among the many great artists who help tell Beck's story are Eric Clapton, Slash, David Gilmour, Joe Perry, Jan Hammer, Beth Hart, Rod Stewart and Ronnie Wood. A bonus feature on the DVD is the performance of five previously-unreleased tracks from Beck's performance at the Montreal Jazz Festival. Information: eagle-rock.com.


Robert Kinsler

Sights and Sounds: A Flock of Seagulls, Like Totally ‘80s Festival

The '80s provided the world plenty of great artists to be sure. Here is a round-up of news definitely geared toward music fans of that fabled decade...

A Flock of Seagulls returns with much-anticipated 'Ascension'

Legendary quartet's new album to be released June 29, 2018

In the words of VH1's Aamer Haleem A Flock of Seagulls is a band reunited!

For the first time since 1984, all four original members of the band appear on record together for their new album Ascension. The recording puts a new and unique spin on their greatest hits by performing orchestral versions with the Prague Philharmonic providing the backing.

A Flock of Seagulls may well be known for their bizarrely teased haircuts as much as their hit single "I Ran." A Flock of Seagulls were one of prime movers in the 80ís new wave era. Growing out of the synth-heavy and ruthlessly stylish new romantic movement. Hairdresser Mike Score (lead vocals, keyboards) formed A Flock of Seagulls with his brother Ali Score (drums) and fellow hairdresser Frank Maudsley (bass) in 1980, adding guitarist Paul Reynolds several months later. The group released its debut EP on Bill Nelsons Cocteau Records early in 1981, and while the record failed to chart, its lead track, "Telecommunication," became an underground hit in Euro-disco and new wave clubs.

The band signed a major-label contract with Jive by the end of the year, and their eponymous debut album appeared in the spring of 1982. "I Ran (So Far Away)" was released as the first single from the album, and MTV quickly picked up on its icily attractive video, which featured long shots of Mike Score and his distinctive, cascading hair. The single climbed into the American Top Ten, taking the album along with it. In the U.K., I Ran didn't make the Top 40, but "Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" reached number ten later that year; in America, that single became a Top 40 hit in 1983, after "Space Age Love Song" peaked at number 30. "Wishing" was taken from the group's second album, Listen in 1983. The band released 1984's "The Story of a Young Heart" which fielded the minor hit "The More You Live, The More You Love." Shortly after Paul Reynolds left the band.

Mike and Ali moved to the US shortly after basing themselves out of Pennsylvania. The band now as a trio released the album Dream Come True in 1986. Ali and Frank left in the years afterwards. Mike released the Light At The End of the World album in 1996.

A Flock of Seagulls never really broke up. Mike carried on touring with session musicians and quietly, surely and steadily the folk lore surrounding the band began to grow. The references in culture from TV (Ross’s Haircut in Friends), Computer Games ("I Ran" was the standout track on Grand Theft Auto Radio), Film (The band and haircut are reference in Pulp Fiction, X-Men and The Wedding Singer) cemented the bands reputation and brought the band to a whole new legion of fans.

In 2003, the original line-up of Mike, Ali, Frank and Paul reunited for a one-off performance on the VH1 series Bands Reunited. In September 2004, they reformed again and did a brief tour in the United States. From 2004 to 2017 Mike was as busy as ever touring the band around the world. In 2017 the band appeared on record together for the first time since 1984. The Ascension album was recorded in multiple studios around the world and featured the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra providing backing to their hits.

Like Totally '80s Festival Recap and Photos

Mike Peters of The Alarm /
Photo by Bob Steshetz

I wasn't able to hit the Like Totally '80s Festival in Huntington Beach on Saturday, May 11 because I was in Las Vegas catching U2. 

However, my pals George A. Paul (reviewer) and Bob Steshetz (photographer) were at the day-long event. 

Check out George's Music Minded blog for an excellent review and amazing photos taken at the event. Several of my favorite '80s bands performed, including The Alarm, Dramarama, and Martha Davis and the Motels!

Sights and Sounds: Mike Score of A Flock of Seagulls fame releases solo LP 'Zeebratta'

Good morning music friends!  Great to see Mike Score is back with new music...

MikeScore

A Flock of Seagulls' frontman Mike Score overcomes loss of recordings and releases new album 'Zeebratta'

Despite losing all his musical equipment and the recorded tracks from an upcoming album, Mike Score, the veteran musician and lead singer of the legendary '80s band A Flock of Seagulls, has released his new album, Zeebratta.

“It’s rough road, but I’m very proud to say that this album is coming out with some new and very exciting music for the fans,” Score said.

 

It was just last July when the band’s van was stolen in Los Angeles along with $70,000 worth of music equipment and with the hard drives that contained the recorded music from the proposed album that became Zeebratta.

 

“I knew that I wasn’t going to give up on the album,” Score said. “I was committed to it and the music so if I had to re-record the whole album from scratch I was going to do it. But fortunately we had back up copies of the music.”

 

As a member of the popular British band, Score was there from the beginning as A Flock of Seagulls took the music world by storm in the 1980s with such hits as “I Ran,” “Space Age Love Song” and “Wishing (if I Had a Photograph of You),” among others.

 

Although A Flock of Seagulls is still going strong, Score always felt the need to record many of the songs that he had written over the years that were never recorded by the band.

 

“They were good songs, but I never thought they really fit the kind of music the Seagulls played, so I put them away, thinking someday I’d record a solo album,” he said.

 

More than 30 years after A Flock of Seagulls made their debut, Score’s new solo album is ready for release on March 1 and a new single, “Somebody Like You,” was released last month.

 

The new album features Score’s own musical sensibilities that mix New Wave, traditional and alternative rock and punk with a variety of sounds that include acoustic guitars, violins, synthesizers and even a set of bagpipes to provide their own unique moods.

 

The songs include the single “Somebody Like You,” which features Score channeling his New Wave roots with a catchy synthesizer riff reminiscent of his Seagull music.  His melodic “Angel” features bagpipes, giving it a military feel that is unlike anything Score has recorded.

 

“I was thinking of the Scottish Hills. I told guitarist Joe Rodriguez, ‘I want bagpipes on the middle 8 and military drums – it was kind of a joke to start with – but once done, they sounded fantastic,” Score said.

 

Music producer and A Flock of Seagulls guitarist Joe Rodriguez, who produced the album with fellow producer Mikal Read said he was pleased with the new album.

 

“Mike has put together a great set of music and it’s to his credit that he didn’t let losing all those tapes stop him from completing this album,” Rodriguez said.

 

The new album includes the tracks “All I Wanna Do,” “Somebody Like You,” “Angel,” “Xtacy,” “The Girl with the Black Eyes,” “Poor Boy,” “Take Your Time,” “I Call Your Name Out,” “Catsong,” “Home,” “Love In,” “Money,” “Valentine,” and “Wasteland.”

 

The album “Zeebratta” is available on iTunes, Amazon, CDBaby.com and elsewhere. To learn more, Mike Score is online at www.MikeScore.com.

 

 

ABOUT MIKE SCORE

The eclectic musician was born in Beverley, Yorkshire, England. Mike and his brother Alistair “Ali” Score and formed A Flock of Seagulls with Frank Maudsley on bass and Paul Reynolds on guitar in Liverpool in 1979. The band soon found superstardom with successive international hits such as “I Ran (So Far Away),” “Space Age Love Song,” “Wishing (If I had a Photograph of You),” and “The More You Live, the More You Love.” The Grammy-Award winning band continued its rise through the mid-1980s until it disbanded in 1986. In 1989, Mike Score reformed the group with other members after its other founding members declined to rejoin the group. The re-formed A Flock of Seagulls continued to release albums in the 1990s and 2000s and were featured in the popular VH1 show “Bands Reunited” in 2003. Today, Mike is the driving force with the band which also features Joe Rodriguez, Pando and Mike Brahm.