In February 1980
Nazareth's eleventh studio album was released.
After a triumphant and very productive decade "Malice in Wonderland" was the album that should bring
Nazareth into the 1980's.
"Malice in Wonderland" might be the most controversial
Nazareth album. After a string of consistent rock albums and the success of the brilliant "No Mean City"
Nazareth changed their sound.
According to the liner notes it was A&M Records who suggested
Nazareth change their sound to a more laid back West coast sound and A&M Records had the tool in shape of producer Jeff Skunk Baxter from Doobie Brothers/Steely Dan. The idea of bringing in a true super guitarist to produce
Nazareth was fine since the predecessor "No Mean City" was the most guitar oriented album from the Scottish rockers. However, "Malice in Wonderland" is the least guitar oriented
Nazareth album. A song like
Fast Cars has xylophone and the arrangement is very slick.
The quality of the song writing is high though. The opener
Holiday is a different
Nazareth song, but the most successful example of the change in style. The song is catchy - almost primitive. Zal Cleminson once again brought some great songs for the band with
Showdown at the Border as the most extraordinary.
The album still divides the waters and even though
Nazareth changed towards a softer sound the album has become a fan favorite. The songs are well crafted but still the rocking
Nazareth feel is missing even though Dan McCafferty delivers his unmistakable vocals with same passion as always.
Salvo Records has released "Malice in Wonderland" back to Back with "The Fool Circle". After spinning opening track
Dressed to Kill you immediately notice that "The Fool Circle" is the sister album to "Malice in Wonderland" - they were also released only a year apart. Jeff Baxter has also produced "The Fool Circle" and it continues the smooth West Coast sound. Ironically the new wave of British Heavy Metal was starting to rise in England while
Nazareth was in the Caribbean islands recording a pop oriented album.
The songwriting is once again top notch and it really suits
Nazareth giving the songs a bit more time instead of rushing them.
We are the People and
Another Year are perfect examples that despite big production it still come down to the songs.
For this album
Nazareth was back as a 4 piece. Even though Zal Cleminson was a big part of "Malice in Wonderland" there is no visible difference between the two albums. Zal Cleminson is not forgotten since he plays on the amazing live recording of J.J Cale's
Cocaine.
The
Nazareth "Loud N' Proud" reissue campaign is value for money because the albums sound great being re-mastered but each album has added lots of bonus material. The gem on "The Fool Circle" is
Crazy (A Suitable case for treatment), which only was released on the "Heavy Metal" soundtrack. The rocker certainly deserved to be included on this album and it is high quality bonus material.
Written by
Michael Thursday, August 19, 2010
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