Autograph - Sign In Please
Nominating a genuinely classic melodic rock album is unquestionably a subjective process. But even the most objective of fans would have to agree that Autograph's 'Sign In Please' is one of the great debut albums.
It's clearly been recognised by those enthusiastic industry veterans at Rock Candy Records, thus this welcome reissue, suitably remastered and reloaded.
The album is 24 years old and still we marvel at its energy, at Steve Plunkett's raucous, mischievous vocals, at Steve Lynch's amazingly innovative lead guitarwork and Steve Isham's keyboard fills and thrills.
 
It's one of those rare occasions where an alchemy takes place twixt cup and lip, where words and chords are transformed into mesmerising musical magic as they shake and shimmer from your speakers.
The magic casts its spell immediately. 'Send Her To Me' is a strong opener, a ripe, fully formed melodic rock song, ready for mass consumption. Suddenly, on the 3 minute mark, comes a late-in-the-day axe solo. The upwardly shifting, pulse quickening gear changes of Lynch's singing, soaring, truly rocking axework gains the track - and the album - an unstoppable momentum. As it goes into the fade, we pull ourselves forward on the chair, anticipating the next track.

'Turn Up The Radio' was written in a rush by Plunkett just before the recording of the album began. Ironically, it became the band's signature song, and was equally emblematic of an era. A sound not so much suspended, but positively oscillating in aspic, such that it now has the power to take us to a faraway place, where summer evenings are warm and welcoming, where rock radio is playing, where our lives slow down to enjoy the moment.
 
What's really impressive is the band's ability, time after time, to write a conquering chorus and a headlining hook. Not every one is razor sharp, but they all cut the mustard.
After the US chart success of 'Turn Up The Radio', the hi-energy, fun, feelgood 'My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Isn't Me' is the one picked up by radio, but inexplicably, the label refused to release it. A very familiar 'we know best' scenario. They didn't...a decision that arguably, ultimately, cost the band bigtime.
 
As for the remainder of the album, the real peaches come a little further on.
There's the pounding, powerful 'Thrill Of Love', with producer Neil Kernon adding layer after layer of sound en route to an explosive chorus.
'In The Night' is a veritable killer cut, recorded with a heart tugging undercurrent of melancholy, the kind that separates great AOR from the ordinary.
The reissue closes with a remix of 'Turn Up The Radio', a magnificently apposite end to a truly wonderful melodic rock album.

Written by Brian
Friday, January 2, 2009
Show all reviews by Brian

Ratings

Brian: 9/10

Members: 8/10 - Average of 1 ratings.



Member ratings

Profile pictureLittle Drummer Boy

Rating: 8/10
No review was posted

This article has been shown 3201 times. Go to the complete list.



RevelationZ Comments


Comment by Little Drummer Boy (Member) - Wednesday, January 7, 2009
Profile picture

View Profile


Comments: 166
Ratings: 46
I have not listened to this one in years, but the first 7 tracks can still be rehearsed in my head. Another one of those great party Lps of the 80's. All three "Steves" in the band had excellent chemistry. I would have to agree with 'My Girlfriend's Boyfriend Isn't Me' being a huge mistake on RCA part for refusing to release it as a single.

Surprisingly they still had 4 studio releases (The Buzz featured an entire line up change with only Plunk as an original) and 2 additional releases from the vaults from material that never saw the light of day with RCA and or Epic. This is one of those bands that could never recover from the grunge era.

R.I.P Steven Isham died on Dec 09 2008.



Posted by Little Drummer Boy
Wednesday, January 7, 2009










Review by Brian

Released by
Rock Candy Records - 2008

Tracklisting
Send Her To Me
Turn Up The Radio
Nighteen & Non Stop
Cloud 10
Deep End
My Girlfriend's Boyfriend
Thrill Of Love
Friday
In The Night
All I'm Gonna Take
Turn Up The Radio (remix/bonus)


Style
Melodic Rock

Related links
Visit the band page

Other articles


Z supported shopping






Ratings
1 - Horrifying
2 - Terrible
3 - Bad
4 - Below average
5 - Average
6 - Good
7 - Very good
8 - Outstanding
9 - Genius
10 - Masterpiece
666 - Unrated

More details...


Daily Spotlight
D:A:D - Riskin' It All
CoverThis was my first D:A:D album and in fact the first time I really started taking notice of Rock music back in the day. 1991 t....
Read full review















Retro Reviews

(Yoni)
Symphony X - The Divine Wings of Tragedy
CoverOne of the most popular acts in the progressive metal world is the band Symphony X. Comprised of five, this is an outfit that reshaped my view of contemporary music in the 90's and 00's through their ....
Read full review






(Tajs)
Cynic - Focus
CoverCynic started out as a death metal band in 1987 and over the next several years sent out five demos until they finally in 1993 released their first full length album, Focus</s....
Read full review








Archive
 · Albums of the month
 · Retro Reviews
































Back to the top - © 2002-2011 RevelationZ Magazine - Back to the top