Great things were expected from this sophomore album from Fotomaker and they did not disappoint, all ten tracks were as solid as they can be, yet the public at large were apathetic and ‘Vis-A-Vis’ disappeared in the cut-out bins a few months after its release.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Fotomaker
ALBUM: Vis A Vis
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: SD 19208
YEAR: 1978
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Wally Bryson – lead guitar, vocals * Lex Marchesi – lead guitar, vocals, acoustic piano * Frankie Vinci – keyboards, vocals * Gene Cornish – bass * Dino Danelli – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Miles Away * 02 Does She Dance * 03 Snowblind * 04 Just For You * 05 Name Of The Game * 06 If I Can’t Believe You * 07 Come Back * 08 Two Way Street * 09 Sweet Lies * 10 Make It Look Like An Accident
Background
After a year of heavy touring, Fotomaker returned to the studio with renewed confidence and energy. The debut album sold relatively well, generating the minor hit ‘Where Have You Been All My Life’ and great things were expected from their sophomore album and they did not disappoint with ‘Vis-A-Vis’. All ten tracks on the album were as solid as they can be yet the public at large were apathetic and ‘Vis-A-Vis’ disappeared in the cut-out bins a few months after its release.
The Songs
Saddest of all is the fact ‘Vis-A-Vis’ is such a great record, a power pop classic and deserved better. Here ex Raspberries Wally Bryson takes a greater role in the lead vocal department and shines on ‘Snowblind’ and ‘Name Of The Game’, the later a perfect fit for FM radio of the day.
Still, even with Bryson’s strong showing, it’s the tracks with vocalist Frankie Vinci that I find most appealing, including the single ‘Miles Away’ which like the groups previous hit bubbled under major air play. The song is about as close to pop perfection as one can find in 1978, but not far behind are ‘Just For You’ which bares more than a passing similarity to The Raspberries and ‘Two Way Street’, a sugar sweet ballad with a hook that gently embeds itself in your mind wishing it will never end.
In Summary
Bryson would leave Fotomaker in 1979 which was probably for the best as the band would turn into a soul/disco band with ‘Transfer Station’ and mercifully split up, having totally lost the direction that made them so special to begin with. Both the Fotomaker debut and Vis-A-Vis’ are available on CD from our friends at Wounded Bird Records and are a good spending choice for any music budget.
Fotomaker on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
