‘Breakdown In Paradise’ would be the end of the road of their Mushroom era, Chilliwack would return for 1981’s superior ‘Wanna Be A Star’ (signed to Millenium/RCA) where they would finally strike into the US charts with two minor hit singles.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Chilliwack
ALBUM: Breakdown In Paradise
LABEL: Mushroom Canada
SERIAL: MRS-5015
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Bill Henderson – lead and backing vocals, guitars * Brian MacLeod – lead guitars, keyboards, vibes, drums, backing vocals * Ab Bryant – bass * John Roles – guitars, backing vocals * Bucky Berger – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Communication Breakdown * 02 Trial By Fire * 03 Guilty * 04 148 Heavy * 05 Let It All Begin * 06 So Strong * 07 Last Time * 08 Are You With Me * 09 Road To Paradise
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
1979 was a year of transition for Canadian band Chilliwack. It marked their eighth release, it would also be their last for Canadian label Mushroom, with whom they had partnered with successfully throughout the 70’s decade. In fact, 1979 would see the demise of the label, following the passing of label boss Shelly Siegel, an entrepreneurial young man who died relatively young at the age of 32 due to a brain aneurysm.
Despite the falling out with his first successful project Heart, Siegel still commanded respect within the industry, and it was sad the Chilliwack’s fortunes seemed to follow suit, as there was no marketing involved for ‘Breakdown In Paradise’, along with the handful of other Mushroom signed acts, though funnily and ironically, we did see a few of their vinyl for sale in New Zealand during 1979, including Jerry Doucette‘s LP’s. Wonders will never cease!
Unfortunately for Chilliwack, the poor promotion of 1978’s ‘Lights In The Valley’ saw the departure of previous members Glenn Miller, Ross Turney and Howard Froese, to be replaced by ex Prism bassist Ab Bryant, guitarist John Roles and drummer Bucky Berger.
The Songs
For the record, the album featured a handful of useful tracks, despite the album placing no tracks into the charts. Bill Henderson’s notable tenor is reflected throughout, while Brian MacLeod is relatively restrained when compared to his performances on future recordings.
The band lead off with the somewhat bizarre ‘Communication Breakdown’, solemn sounding sounding keys and vocals, before breaking out by the halfway mark. The synth solo at the 3 min mark borders on new wave wackiness. A victim of the times huh? Getting back to a traditional hard rocking style is ‘Trial By Fire’. This one reminds me of fellow Canucks Trooper.
‘Guilty’ features a heap of vibes and bell-blocks, a good song, it’s followed by the airport drama of ‘148 Heavy’, for which I am still trying to work out the lyrics for. ‘Let It All Begin’ is very typical of the Chilliwack style and they muscle up for the appropriately named ‘So Strong’, where Henderson dominates with a powerful vocal performance.
‘Are You With Me’ is equally rocky,with some stinging lead guitar on offer. Two ballads round out the album: ‘Last Time’ and ‘Road To Paradise’. In fact, the album was going to be called ‘Road To Paradise’ but decided against it as a testament of good judgement considering label boss Siegel’s recent passing. Wise move.
In Summary
This being the end of the road of their Mushroom era, Chilliwack would return for 1981’s superior ‘Wanna Be A Star’ (signed to Millenium/RCA) where they would finally strike into the US charts with two minor hit singles.
Just a final fling on this LP. It was interesting to read about Chilliwack over at Prog Archives. Why the hell are some of the idiots there bothering reviewing this band when firstly, they are not prog (apart from the first two albums), and secondly, for a majority of their history they’ve squarely aimed up at the FM Radio/AOR market. Giving the band like one star and saying they’re not progressive is kinda obvious don’t you think? Sheesh, rant over.
Chilliwack on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
