... of the most overlooked albums by one of the best unknown 80s bands(except by those who know how to ...
931394
Probably one of the most overlooked albums by one of the best unknown 80s bands(except by those who know how to find the best.) If you love good 80s rock then Icons "Icon" is for you.
2591229
I would rate this a 3.8 out of 5 stars. As a Rush album that is where I put it. As an 80s album I would definitely give it a full 5. A little bit too much synth at times is why I don't see it as their best. I am glad they didn't leave out their spectacular musicianship though. In fact, I think they greatly improved in that area. It goes up there as an 80s album along with Michael Jackson's Thriller in my book and if that is the sound you are looking for, then go ahead and get it right away. Most Rush fans I believe would know their feelings about this era and probably have or don't have it in their collection for whatever reason.
3646250
This nearly unknown album by this nearly unknown band is better than most new stuff popping up these days. I bought this on a whim years and years ago after listening to a couple tracks briefly in a record store (one that no longer exists) and listened to it occasionally but quite honestly forgot about it. I ripped it to MP3 as I always did back then but the disc is long gone... I just stumbled upon it again and must say, it surprised me how good it is - better than I remember. Very catchy, lilting sort of pop hooks. Something along the lines of a Radiohead sort of influence in a much thicker and accessible pop sensibility.... quite upbeat but not irritating on a Goo Goo Dolls level. A fine album. I'd give it just shy of 4 stars, but I'll round up. I'm surprised there are no reviews.
1604211
Simply one of the greatest albums of the 80s; a true hidden treasure of sorts, and one of my all time favorite bands. Anyone I turned this album onto loved it. Also, on a bit of an odd note, Riot has the song "Run For Your Life" on this album; then on a later disc, with Mark Reale as only original member, they had a different song with the same title. Never saw that before. R(ock).I.P. Guy Speranza...
3941103
Most of the tracks on this album have guests from other bands, which kindave add their own little flavor to each of the songs. I'm surprised I just heard of this album in 2017 and not during the 90s! Underrated album and artist. Mike Watt is one of the best bass players and he should be more well known.
3077304
This is an excellent album from an (no reviews=obviously) unrecognized band. Two major singles on this cd: Someone New, and Substitute. Both great songs; very different videos (Someone New, not so good; Substitute, amazingly hilarious). If you like Truckfighters, Unida, Sunride...this is good.
1277142
As the actual intelligent reviewers have noted, this is a very good piece of 90's psych, with walls of guitar wash and solid lyrics. This band was sadly overlooked while other bands of the day were grunging it up or overly concerned with being too clever with their pop or helping bring about the near death of good hip hop. Check it out, and ignore the dullards who thought this was Herb Alpert.
2381167
Never heard of this band before. Wish I did. These are great albums of 70s rock recorded in the 80s. I love how they incorporate the native american chanting into some of the songs (if thats what you call it?). Very entertaining.  The album covers are very cool. Makes me want to buy the records.
1593175
By 1985, Rick Wakeman seems to have been mostly forgotten by all but longtime diehard fans.  Compared to most artists at the time, who were cranking up the volume in a desperate bid to grab some attention, on SILENT NIGHTS Rick seems content to just relax, have fun and make good music.  Accompanied by (I believe) Gordon Neville on vocals, this album ranges from mid-tempo "rock" to quiet ballads, with a couple of quirky bits tossed in.  Standouts for me are "Tell 'Em All You Know", the rousing opener, "Ghost Of a Rock N Roll Star" (an eerie stab at autobiography?), "The Dancer" (call it a "novelty" song-- I'm SURE this 1920's-sounding competition complete with color commentary is not meant to be taken seriously), and probably the masterpiece here, "Elgin Mansions", a gorgeous piano piece.  I believe this, along with "Gone But Not Forgotten" (from COST OF LIVING) may have pointed the direction for much of Rick's later music.  Why try competing with louder and louder rockers when you can play a grand piano like that, anyway?
895107
Don't be misled by my title; this is still a fine collection of songs.  "Baby What A Big Surprise" and "If You Leave Me Now" are both fine mellow hits, and tracks like the very catchy "Alive Again" and the nice non-hit "Gone Long Gone" are also quality tracks.  Overall, though, this collection doesn't quite hold up to either their quality, unique brand of rock in the early '70s or their sparkling, gorgeous pop of the '80s.  This in between period was a bit of a downer for the band, but the songs are still very good to great.  Definitely a worthwhile purchase that covers the band's career in the mid to late '70s.
4672566
"Before the Dream Faded" may be the closest thing to the Dead Sea Scrolls for devotees of early psychedelic music and garage rock. "Before the Dream Faded" is a rare document of a marginally famous band that was at ground zero of the underground music movement.  It's a shame that Amazon doesn't include "Before the Dream Faded" on their list of Essential Rock and Roll CDs. The lack of recognition the Misunderstood from rock critics with a shallow knowledge of rock and roll shows that "misunderstood" has evolved into an almost prophetic name for this great band.

The expert playing and musical finesse of the Misunderstood made the garage band label a misnomer The Misunderstood had a bluesy psychedelic sound well in front big guns of UK Sixties psychedelica, like Jimi Hendrix, Pink Floyd and even the Yardbirds. The Misunderstood's music was a Molotov cocktail mixed with equal parts raw blues and mind bending psychedelic guitar.  One need only to listen to the Misunderstood to find the point of inspiration for  Jeff Beck when he'd play his ear splitting, guitar shattering "rave-ups" with the Yardbirds.

Glen Ross Campbell (not the "Witchta Lineman" dude) was an expert guitarist who doubled on steel guitar. The addition of UK guitarist Tony Hill when the Misunderstood moved to London in '66 gave the band a full throttle guitar sound. Steve Whiting on bass and Rick Moe on drums provided a muscular rhythm section that gave the Misunderstood a sound as powerful as a roundhouse punch.

I was encouraged to read the review of Steve Whiting (see Spotlight Reviews) the original bass player for the Misunderstood. I'm always amazed that musicians like Steve Whiting keep the faith after getting shafted by fast buck moguls and producers who run the business end of music. Steve is absolutely right ....any recorded material by Glen Ross Campbell under the guise of the Misunderstood is inferior to by the original band. This album, "Before the Dream Faded", contains all  the tracks associated with  the Misunderstood's 24 karat gold legacy.
1136625
What's the 4-1-1?
Any 80s heavy metal fan already knows the story of Quiet Riot's third album. I mean, they played that damn Behind the Music special on VH1 a million times. Basically, the group was virtually unknown until the release of this album. The album became legendary (and I use that term loosely) because it was the first metal album to reach #1 on the pop chart. I'm sure the band would have preferred to set that record with a song of their own, but it was with their cover of Slade's "Cum on Feel the Noize" that sent the band into the mainstream.

You know the song I'm talking about. It was the party anthem of the decade. It's loud, bombastic, and undeniably catchy. However, the band's first single was "Metal Health (Bang Your Head);" a track loaded with heavy guitars and string bending guitar solos. The song also has the dubious distinction of appearing in the movie Footloose. The band takes a chance on the ballad-like "Don't Want to Let You Go," but fails because vocalist Kevin Dubrow's voice is just to rough. Killer riffs and driving rhythms make "Slick Black Cadillac" a fun ride, but after hearing the description of the actual car, who would want it?

"Love's a Bitch" works more as a ballad because hard rockers are always pissed off about relationships. "Breathless" has all the makings of a pop-rock hit. "run for Cover" actually justifies the album as a heavy metal one. "Let's Get Crazy" is loaded with hooks as it tries to undo a few in the backseat. "Thunderbird" has always been a live favorite for the band as it pays tribute to their former guitarist Randy Rhodes.

The Verdict
I certainly wouldn't rank Metal Health as one of the greatest albums of all time, but for the time period, it was a solid rock album. It's a shame that it will only be remembered for one song, because there are a few others that are on the same level. Success was short lived for the group, as they used the same formula for their follow-up album Condition Critical. They even tried a second Slade cover. The band continued to release albums (with a different vocalist at one time), and toured the club circuit keeping Metal Health alive.
763814
It's a great cover from one of the most underrated rock bands of the 80s-90s.  I saw them play it live (They are still Rocking In America)
2239981
Gypsy Blood, as well their self-title lp, are still on my top listening lists although they are more than 30 years old.  Timeless rock by one of the greatest unknown groups ever.
3436127
This album isn't as experimental as some of their others, but it's a great 80s pop album (thoughtful, intelligent, alternapop--not of corporate manufacture and control).  There are at least 3 or 4 songs that are completely brilliant.  How many albums can you say that about?
The Insanely Great Songs songs are Renee, Such a Shame, It's My Life, Tomorrow Started.
The good songs are The Last Time, It's You, Does Caroline Know?
The rest of the songs are still listenable and sometimes enjoyable, but I'll skip them as often as not.
Things to love about the good songs on this album: the slurred, moody vocals, the lyrical fretless bass playing (the bass becomes an instrument you want to listen to--not just a supporting one), nice synth sounds, strong arrangements.  Very emotional pop, distinctive and personal.  No one else could have created these songs since they have personality to spare--not formless and bland like a lot of corporate pop/rock that is only trying to sell records or be the flavor of the moment.
You could probably pick up a few of these songs on the greatest hits album, but you may not get all of them by only getting it.
Looking at the liner notes and  pictures I'm struck by how young the band looks on this album.  I would guess that some weren't much more than 18 from the pictures (they have the baby face look).  The kind of songs they put out show much more musical maturity and sensitivity than most people of that age.  Yes, this is pop--but is showcases the kinds of original (yet accessible and listenable) things that can be put into a pop framework.
4818760
A great "so cal" group that no one ever heard of.  As a musician of the 1970s, we knew who they were and it's a shame that they didn't get the recognition they deserved.  I hope they release the other 2 albums on another set like this one.
270800
why do record companies not listen to the people who buy the music??
this cd has some of the best music that this underrated band from the seventies ever made but is still missing tracks which would have made it a must for any cd collection!
tracks such as "if i could have your loving" "every tear i cry"
and the great rocker "bluesy world"
like another great seventies band "badfinger" the sutherland brothers never quite made it to the top but had some world wide hits such as "the pie" "arms of mary"
they have another link to badfinger as the biggest hit they ever had which they wrote  was sung by another artist and that track of course was "sailing" by rod stewart ( badfingers biggest hit was "without you" by nillson) and of course the lead guitarist willie i believe played later on with joey molland from badfinger
best tracks on this cd are of course "arms of mary" " the pie"
dream kid  etc and is a worthwhile additon to those who love good honest pop/rock and well written songs from the fabulous seventies