The debut Streets album was a good solid effort, and despite the fact it was produced by Neil Kernon, it’s this one ‘Crimes In Mind’ their second I prefer best.
Written by: gdmonline
ARTIST: Streets
ALBUM: Crimes In Mind
LABEL: Atlantic
SERIAL: 81246-1
YEAR: 1985
CD REISSUE: Discogs Reissue List
COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
LINEUP: Steve Walsh – vocals, keyboards * Mike Slamer – guitars * Billy Greer – bass, backing vocals * Tim Gehrt – drums
TRACK LISTING: 01 Don’t Look Back * 02 The Nightmare Begins * 03 Broken Glass * 04 Hit ‘n’ Run * 05 Crimes In Mind * 06 I Can’t Wait * 07 Gun Runner * 08 Desiree * 09 Rat Race * 10 Turn My Head
WEBLINKS: Wikipedia Page
Streets Background
In retrospect the band Streets is a bit of minor supergroup. In mainstream circles that might be the case but in AOR circles they are major news. Some talent in this band that’s for sure.
Streets came about after the very public fallout by Steve Walsh from the band Kansas. This was after several of their members decided to crank up the christianity within the band. He teamed up with Englishman Mike Slamer (previously with City Boy) who had moved to the USA to further his aspirations.
The debut Streets album was a good solid effort. But despite the fact it was produced by Neil Kernon, it’s this second one I prefer best. The songs here are more dynamic and compare similarly to material released by Foreigner and Airrace. This was during the 1984-1985 time frame.
The Songs
The mood is set with a classic AOR opener ‘Don’t Look Back’, which pulses along in great style. It’s ollowed up by ‘The Nightmare Begins’ which features some great hooks.
Steve Walsh really stamps his authority on ‘Broken Glass’ while Slamer gets an opportunity to set his guitar ablazing on ‘Hit ‘n’ Run’.
All the other songs are extremely melodic, catchy, like ‘Gun Runner’, ‘Crimes In Mind’ and the humorous ‘Rat Race’.
In Summary
Streets as a band weren’t the commercial success Atlantic were hoping for. It wasn’t long after that Walsh returned to Kansas taking Greer with him, while Slamer turned his hand to production.
Gehrt played with a couple of Christian rock projects, Joshua‘s fantastic ‘Intense Defence’ being the most notable. Just for the quality personnel involved, this album should sit somewhere in your AOR collection, preferably at the front.
As at late 2002, the album now has an official CD release courtesy of Wounded Bird Records, while Rock Candy reissued this in 2013. Go for it.
Streets on Video
Don’t Look Back
Click to go to YTM album page.
