Mr Mister then, is a formation which moved out of the west coast/AOR market, and into a hi-tech studio wizard four-piece, bringing in fellow studio hounds Steve Farris and Pat Mastelotto.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Mr Mister
ALBUM: I Wear The Face
LABEL: RCA
SERIAL: AFL1-4864
YEAR: 1984
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Richard Page – vocals, bass * Steve George – keyboards, vocals * Steve Farris – guitars * Pat Mastelotto – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Hunters Of The Night * 02 Code Of Love * 03 Partners In Crime * 04 32 * 05 Runaway * 06 Talk The Talk * 07 I’ll Let You Drive * 08 I Get Lost Soemtimes * 09 I Wear The Face * 10 Life Goes On
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Background
The 80’s was synonomous with a few acts and artists. The Los Angeles quartet Mr Mister could be grouped into that category with their pair of 1985 hits ‘Broken Wings’ and ‘Kyrie Eleison’.
Mr Mister however had formed two years previously, while the two main instigators Richard Page and Steve George had a track record prior to that as the trio Pages (including lyricist John Lang), who released three albums during their 1978-1982 tenure.
Of course Page and George were equally legendary as one of the best pairing of harmony vocalists in the L.A session scene. Their work can be heard on countless albums.
Mr Mister then, is a formation which moved out of the west coast/AOR market, and into a hi-tech studio wizard four-piece, bringing in fellow studio hounds Steve Farris and Pat Mastelotto. ‘I Wear The Face’ was their 1984 debut, though it was only a low-key entrant into the 1984 market, entering the Billboard charts and making it to #170.
The Songs
The first single from the album was the lead-off ‘Hunter Of The Night’, whch showcases the sound that America would eventually fall in love with the next year. At this point, Mr Mister hadn’t quite perfected their lush style, instead leaning toward a sound that mirrored a hybrid of The Outfield and The Police.
This is especially evident on ‘Code Of Love’, where the production of former Men At Work and future The City keyboardist Peter McIan shines through. I liked ‘Partners In Crime’ too, which is 1984 styled AOR with a hint of Avion in the mix. The hybrid reggae/pop of ’32’ didn’t quite work for me, though it came off like Novo Combo in parts. So too the track ‘I Get Lost Sometimes’, which sounded like I was listening to their ‘Animation Generation’ LP.
‘Runaway’ is another album highlight for me, the lead vocals from Page a standout. ‘Talk The Talk’ is probably the most hi-tech offering here, and apart from the tinkly keys from Steve George, ‘I’ll Let You Drive’ tosses more Outfield like flurries onto the fire, including a superb guitar solo from Steve Farris. The title track ‘I Wear The Face’ goes down the hi-tech/funk route; not quite as flattering as the previous material.
In Summary
Of course, things would go ballistic for Mr Mister the following year with their breakout album ‘Welcome To The Real World’ with the aforementioned two hit singles. Following that success, ‘I Wear The Face’ got a CD reissue in 1986 by RCA, and came with a different album cover than that of the original LP. So far though, we are yet to see a remastered reissue of this one. Maybe one day soon.
Mr Mister on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
