Sweet: Reincarnation

I’m not sure that I have the vocabulary, musical or otherwise to describe this release which label Metalville calls ‘legendary’. I’m going to have a go, but rest assured, this album is the very epitome of ‘for completists only’. Unfortunately, there are two ‘bonus’ tracks to listen to on top of the original offering.

Andy Scott, Mick Tucker, Paul Mario Day (Iron Maiden), Phil Lanzon (Uriah Heep), and Mal McNulty (Slade) were the band which recorded Reincarnation and surely there should have been enough talents there to make an album that was at least listenable but my, you would be wrong. Very wrong. Super wrong in fact.

To my ears Reincarnation is as close to unlistenable as anything which has crossed my desk in sixteen years reviewing for Sea of Tranquility. It starts badly but gets worse as it goes along, which is a very impressive feat. It should be obvious to anyone with ears or a pulse that the Four Tops did the definitive and completely untouchable version of "Reach Out… (I’ll Be There)" but here Sweet/Metalville give us two awful clunky 1980’s keyboard-based versions of the song which are both wholly misconceived monstrosities.

Worryingly, it is arguable that they are the best things on this expanded edition of the album as the other songs are desperate. Everything is drenched in Phil Lanzon’s keyboards and there is nothing at all reminiscent of Sweet in any way, shape or form on any of the songs other that Andy Scott’s always solid guitar work. "Over My Head" and "Jump the Fence" sound like Huey Lewis joined Go West for a blandness competition whilst "Shot Down in Flames" simply reeks of a lack of energy.

I’m off to delete the review download on the most permanent of permanent bases.

Track Listing
1. Reach Out… (I’ll Be There) (Single Version)
2. Over My Head
3. Jump the Fence
4. Shot Down in Flames
5. Gunner of Love (Studio Demo)
6. Fire In My Heart (Studio Demo)
7. Reach Out… (I’ll Be There) (12� Mix)

Added: April 7th 2026
Reviewer: Simon Bray
Score:
Related Link: The Sweet Online
Hits: 64
Language: english

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