Those of us who know the first two Rex albums would agree that Rex Smith and his band offered some of the best American hard rock that so few heard from that mid-late 70’s era.
Written by: Eric
ARTIST: Rex Smith
ALBUM: Sooner Or Later
LABEL: CBS
SERIAL: 35813
YEAR: 1979
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Rex Smith – vocals
Members of the Skye Band: Emily Bindiger, Mark Cunningham, Lenny Mancuso, Egleton Leroy Woodside Jr
TRACK LISTING: 01 You Take My Breath Away * 02 Sooner Or Later * 03 Simply Jessie * 04 Better Than It’s Ever Been Before * 05 Love Street * 06 Never Gonna Give You Up * 07 Sway * 08 Oh What A Night For A Romance * 09 Ain’t That Peculiar * 10 If You Think You Know How To Love Me
WEBLINKS: Site Link
Background
I can’t and won’t speak for everyone here, but those of us who know the first two Rex albums, in particular 1977’s ‘Where Do We Go from Here?’ agree the man and his band offered some of the best American hard rock that so few heard from that mid-late 70’s era.
Perennial opening act for Ted Nugent, Blue Oyster Cult, Angel and everyone under the sun, sales of both albums fell short of expectations.
This was a problem suffered by brother Michael Lee Smith and Starz as well, yet Rex had something going for him beyond a great rock voice and that was his boyish good looks which drew a substantial number of female fans to his cause.
In hindsight, it should have been no surprise ‘Sexy Rexy’ as he was playfully referred to would go on to bigger things, but for rock fans it was a major let down.
In late 1978 the marketing campaign was in full swing with Smith ordained the hottest face since Leif Garrett appearing in all the teen magazines with news of an upcoming album and a made for TV movie starring our hero who was retooled and made over.
The Songs
‘Sooner or Later’ was the movie appearing on the NBC network and co-starred Denise Miller a sitcom actress popular at the time that has since faded into obscurity. The album of the same name coincided with the premier and generated the hit single ‘You Take My Breath Away’ which was inescapable in the dog days of summer 1979.
As syrupy as the movie, the song is a classic 70’s ballad and the album is no slouch either. In fact, it’s a personal favourite and as much as I love those first two Rex albums, I know I’ve listened to ‘Sooner Or Later’ far more often.
That’s right, I’m coming out loud and proud, but I am somewhat perplexed by those who trash ‘Sooner Or Later’ assuming it’s crap when they have never heard the album outside the single. Case in point the title track is a fine example as any of period AOR with plenty of pompy keys ala Le Roux or how about the sweet west coast of the Greg Guidry penned ‘Never Gonna Give You Up’?
Oh sure, ‘Sway’ reeks of disco cash-in with lyrics and a chorus that should have turned Smith red faced with embarrassment but the mid tempo Russ Ballard offering ‘Oh What A Night For Romance’ more than makes up for the previous indiscretion with a fun filled pop tune that would have made for a nice single choice.
‘Ain’t That Peculiar’ is a throw back to Rex of old and is the heaviest track on the record and although I have ever been that impressed with the Chapman/Chinn closer ‘If You Think You Know How To Love Me’ there are far worse songs I’ve endured over the years. It’s a catchy little number, but maybe I expected a more dramatic end to this excellent record.
In Summary
Cheers to Wounded Bird for giving ‘Sooner Or Later’ the reissue treatment and the movie is out on DVD if interested. I consider it a 70’s cult classic along with the KISS made for TV one shot ‘Phantom Of The Night’.
Not forgetting Ron Howard’s first film also made for television – ‘Cotton Candy’ about a pop group competing in a battle of the bands competition. All very 70’s and a lot of fun much like the album reviewed here. Yeah, Rex rocked on those first two gems, but ‘Sooner Or Later’ taken on its own is worth a listen or two, or three, or four or..
Rex Smith on Video
Click to go to YTM album page.
