Snips: La Rocca!

Formerly of the '70s band Sharks, Snips, aka Steve Parsons released his solo debut Video King in 1978 and followed it with La Rocca! in 1979. On the album Snips reunited with former Sharks band mate Chris Spedding and the result is pure pop perfection. Thirty-five years later La Rocca! is now available on CD. Besides Snips (vocals, guitars) and Spedding (guitar, keyboards) we have Bill Nelson (synthesizers), Jackie Badger (bass), Dave Mattacks (drums, drum synthesizer) and Clem Cattini (drums).

I wasn't aware of Snips when this album originally came out but there is no time like the present to become familiar with long forgotten treasures. La Rocca! is an energetic and vibrant poppy new wave record that will keep your feet tapping as the great melodies are seemingly endless and with eighteen tracks, including six bonus tunes, there is a lot of great music to absorb. Throughout the album the guitar and keyboard hooks and Snips easy to like vocal delivery brings back a certain nostalgia that is just a joy to listen to. Songs like the punky new wave of "Nine O'clock, produced by Midge Ure, the quirky guitar rhythms in the irresistible title track and "Skies Of England", a homage to Brian Jones of the Stones are lively and irresistible pop songs. Another highlight is the catchy "Police Car" which reminded me a little of The Clash.

Really, this album should have been much more popular than it probably was but it's still not to late thanks to our friends at Angel Air Productions. Hopefully, this rerelease will catch some well-deserved attention. Highly recommended for fans of pop and new wave music of the late '70s/early '80s.

Track Listing:
1. Nine O'clock
2. La Eocca
3. Skies Of England
4. The Rain
5. Dark Outside
6. Backs Of Millions
7. Police Car
8. Happy Sometimes
9. Tight Shoes
10. Work
11. Telepathy
12. What Is Pop?
Bonus Tracks
13. You're A Wonderful One
14. Noise
15. Tight Sloes (single mix)
16. Mister Dillinger
17. Lolita
18. What's Your Number?

Added: July 2nd 2016
Reviewer: Jon Neudorf
Score:
Related Link: Label's Official Site
Hits: 1778
Language: english

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