Ian Lloyd – Goosebumps

Ian Lloyd formerly of the band Stories strikes with his second solo LP ‘Goosebumps’ for Scotti Bros There’s lots of top guests that make an appearance.

Written by: gdmonline

ARTIST: Ian Lloyd
ALBUM: Goosebumps
LABEL: Scotti Brothers
SERIAL: SB 7104
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA

LINEUP: Ian Lloyd – lead and backing vocals, rhythm guitar * Jim Vallance – rhythm guitar, keyboards, organ, bass, percussion, synthesizer, drums * Mick Jones, Lindsay Mitchell, David Sinclair – lead guitar * Jimmy Crespo – rhythm guitar, lead guitar * Ric Ocasek – rhythm guitar, backing vocals * Steve Buslowe, Benjamin Orr – bass * Larry Fast – synthesizer, sequencer * Jimmy Maelen – percussion, siren, whistle * Michael Becker – tenor sax * Dennis Elliott – drums * Bruce Fairbairn – production, backing vocals * Lou Gramm – backing vocals

TRACK LISTING: 01 She Broke Your Heart * 02 Love Stealer * 03 First Heartbreak * 04 Slip Away * 05 Holiday * 06 Open Soul Surgery * 07 Goosebumps * 08 Easy Money * 09 Time Of The Season * 10 New City Lights * 11 I’m Ready * 12 Love Is A Ship

WEBLINKS: FB Page

Ian Lloyd Background

Ian Lloyd has led somewhat of a storied career (pun intended). By the middle of the 70’s decade he was out on his own as a solo artist. By this stage his music was dead center of the pop-rock genre. Perhaps left of a guy like Nick Gilder, but way right of his former band Stories.

Eric did interview Ian some years ago, and within that article (click Ian Lloyd tag below) you can glean some nuggets from this timeframe.

The Songs

1979 was the height of the disco era, but there’s enough here to suggest that late 70’s pop rock was on Ian’s radar. Combined with the burgeoning new wave scene we saw participation from members of Foreigner and The Cars among others.

Vancouverites Bruce Fairbairn and Jim Vallance heavily involved with the production of this record. Their influence can’t be overlooked from a songwriting, production and music playing point of view.

‘Slip Away’ was the major hit, reaching inside the Billboard top 40 singles chart. This was written by Ric Ocasek the track featuring himself plus The Cars bandmate/bassist Benjamin Orr.

There’s a stomping backbeat to the album’s second single ‘She Broke Your Heart’, which reminds me of The Sweet or even debut era Trigger!

‘Love Stealer’ should be familiar to those who remember the 1990 album from the German band Boysvoice. The track incidentally written by two British blokes Phil Wainman and Richard Nyhill back in the 70’s. It’s very interesting listening to Ian’s version, obviously not as heavy as our German friends named above.

‘First Heartbreak’ recalls the footstomp rock of the aforementioned The Sweet and Slade. This would’ve sounded great back in 1975 for sure.

‘Holiday’ is feature-filled with keyboard parts though is a relatively short piece and is a Gibb brothers co-write. The album ramps up at this point with a cover of Canadian legends Prism and their debut album track ‘Open Soul Surgery’. The solo provided is by lead guitarist Jimmy Crespo and not Lindsay Mitchell.

Instead, Mitchell appears on the next track ‘Goosebumps’ which is preceded by the nail scratches you can imagine just by looking at the album cover. Erghh.. Lol. It’s good pop rock co-written by ex Thin Lizzy guitarist Brian Robertson and Terry Britten (Cliff Richard‘s guitarist and producer).

The opening synth sequence on ‘Easy Money’ is straight out of pomp school 101, listening to this reminded me of British pompsters Trickster. Cool track. ‘Time Of The Season’ has some good moments. The guitar solo from Jimmy Crespo takes on a Dire Straits or Al Stewart identity.

‘New City Lights’ was written by Kiwi/Aussie blues guitarist Kevin Borich (who I saw live in the summer of 1981). The song blown wide open by the OTT sax solo from Michael Brecker. It’s a slightly funky tune that is not out of place here.

‘I’m Ready’ is a cover of the Bryan Adams track that is also featured on his 1982 album ‘Cuts Like A Knife’. I do like that version, but Ian’s version is good too.

Album closer ‘Love Is A Ship’ tries to invoke a calypso vibe, though isn’t that convincing. The track was written by Paul Da Vinci, a British vocalist associated with pop/doo-wop kings The Rubettes.

In Summary

All in all, we get twelve tracks, the longest of which is a touch over three and a half minutes. The original album was officially released in 1989 as a barebones German CD imprint without too much info (now OOP).

Many years later, a Japanese CD reissue called ‘Love Stealer’ (year of release unknown) came out featuring all twelve songs though in a different track order.

Ian Lloyd continued on with Scotti Brothers with a third album called ‘3WC’ (Third World Civilization) in 1980 with another top-notch lineup. We will probably get to that album for review purposes too in the near future.

Not forgetting the 1984 LP by Fast Forward which is essentially the fourth Ian Lloyd solo album. In the meantime, if you haven’t discovered this album yet, check it out. I’m sure there are many moments of interest and enjoyment.

Ian Lloyd on Video

Slip Away