Canadian Ian Thomas is well covered on this site, his career going way back into time. With this album ‘Levity’, it comes at the tail-end of his storied solo releases and just prior to his period with The Boomers.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Ian Thomas
ALBUM: Levity
LABEL: WEA Canada
SERIAL: CD 55556
YEAR: 1988
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Ian Thomas – vocals, guitars, keyboards * Dave Pilch – bass * Neil Wilkenson, Kevin McKenzie – drums * Steve Piggot, Lou Pomanti – keyboards
TRACK LISTING: 01 Levity * 02 Losing Control * 03 Only Believe * 04 Another Chance * 05 Back To Square One * 06 Modern Man * 07 All About Her * 08 These Are Not Gods * 09 Let The Stone Roll
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Background
Canadian Ian Thomas is well covered on this site, his career going way back into time. With this album ‘Levity’, it comes at the tail-end of his storied solo releases and just prior to his period with The Boomers.
Having navigated his career through several record labels, Ian signed on with Warner Bros during the mid 80’s after his stint at Anthem Records ended in 1985. He would record the tracks for this album in between Canada and the UK, and would use Christopher Neil to produce some of the tracks.
Neil had previous associations with Mike + The Mechanics, and it’s that hi-tech AOR sound and big production values from the late 80’s that would reveal itself on ‘Levity’. The musicians playing on the album aren’t that well known, apart from former Wrabit keyboardist Lou Pomanti.
The Songs
Title track and opener ‘Levity’ immediately sets the tone, using Yes‘s ‘Big Generator’ sound as a reference point. Second up ‘Losing Control’ is an urgent track, fusing bits of The Outfield and The City in its hi-tech delivery.
‘Only Believe’ also drives hard, and is topped by a terrific chorus not unlike Tom Cochrane from his Red Rider days. ‘Another Chance’ moves in a different direction altogether, more like a jangly Crowded House meeting The Rembrandts.
I loved the synth-laden ‘Back To Square One’, with Ian’s vocals heavily soaked in reverb, his tone somewhat similar to Paul Young. A lovely tune nonetheless. ‘Modern Man’ is a funked up track, lots of percussion and synth effects typical of the AOR albums from this timeframe.
Another favourite is the lush atmosphere built around ‘All About Her’, perfectly weighted AOR in my books. Getting back to an earthy form of melodic rock is ‘These Are Not Gods’, touched by more hi-tech hi-jinx and a breezy arrangement.
To finish the album is another lush beauty, ‘Let The Stone Roll’. The arrangement has a slight Spanish feel to the melody, and is held together by strong harmony vocals, weaving guitar parts and rhythmic percussion lines.
In Summary
This is our fourth review of an Ian Thomas album, and there are more to come. I can’t reiterate enough, just how good this guy is. It’s AOR of the most thought-provoking kind and essential listening. The fact that it has a big 80’s production always helps, and it’s an album I keep coming back to often. Grab it and enjoy.
Ian Thomas on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
