Why Reckless didn’t do better at the time still remains a mystery to me. There are some absolute pearlers on this their first album, produced by the very talented Paul Gross.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Reckless
ALBUM: Reckless
LABEL: EMI Canada
SERIAL: EMC 3362
YEAR: 1980
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: Canada
LINEUP: Jan Melanson – vocals * Steve Madden – guitars * Gene Stout – bass * Gil Roberts – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Victim Of Time * 02 Givin’ It All Away * 03 Ready For Action * 04 Heartache Rock And Roll * 05 Too Much To Bear * 06 Reckless * 07 Child Of The Night * 08 All Night Woman * 09 Could This Be Love? * 10 Yesterday’s News * 11 Passion And Pain * 12 Searching For A Dream
Background
Why Reckless didn’t do better at the time still remains a mystery to me. There are some absolute pearlers on this their first album, produced by the very talented Paul Gross.
I remember the buzz Reckless got in the UK media during 1981, even though the album was released the year before. ‘The next big thing’, according to the AOR scribes of the time, namely Paul Suter and Geoff ‘Def’ Barton. Seems this album was actually recorded some time before (1979 by my reckoning), but it took one more year to hit the stores during 1980.
The Songs
However, the strength of this album lies in the solid melodic overtones permeating right throughout. The guitar work from Steve Madden is exceptional, while Jan Melanson adds the focal point from the front, with a voice similar to a more melodic Grace Slick.
‘Victims Of Time’, ‘Ready For Action’, ‘Reckless’, ‘All Night Woman’, ‘Passion And Pain’ and ‘Searching For A Dream’ are near classics. Twelve tracks all up makes for some fairly spectacular listening, considering this dates back to 1980 – or even earlier..
In Summary
The International Encyclopaedia of Hard Rock And Heavy Metal described Reckless as a Poor Mans’ Van Halen‘. I think the guy who wrote that (was that you Mr Jasper?) was probably on something at the time. They sound nothing of the sort!
Again, if you see it in the bins, grab it. Word of warning. If you see their other album ‘Heart Of Steel’, it’s nothing like this one, with just about completely new lineup. As at 2008, ‘Reckless’ the album finally saw a CD release on Rock Candy Records.
Reckless on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
