According to Merriam Webster's online dictionary the word assume has a few different connotations based on meaning and usage, but the one I was using which was to take as granted or true was number four from a list of seven variations. I should probably just use the word "Suppose" next time to avoid confusion. After all, I don't want to make an ass out of you or me.
Sometimes you can judge a book by it's cover, or an album by it's art - sometimes you can't. Whatever preconceived notions I had formulated in my developing brain would turn out to be nonsense. I suppose what supported my assertion (almost said the ass word, tch tch) that Straight Eight were Canadian was the label: El Mocambo. This was a pretty infamous Canadian Club and also a small label that was the home of Canadian underground legends Maclean And Maclean. It was a relatively small imprint and from what I can gather they weren't a subsidiary to a major for distribution - but I could be wrong.
What has this got to do with anything? I'm working my way there, just hang on. Now if I'd spent just a little longer on the back cover I'd have noticed this was recorded in England, and while it's not unusual for Canadian band to record there, as soon as I dropped the needle and the opening track "I'm Sorry" blared (yeah, I'd cranked it a little ... you only get one chance to make a first impression) my first thought was, "Holy shit, this.is.awesome!" Followed closely by, "These guys are.not.Canadian," and then the realization that I had totally misjudged the band based on the cover.
After playing the album through a couple of times, it was time to check these guys out. Who were they? How come I'm just hearing this now? El Mocambo got the rights to Canadian distribution for the band's first two albums, No Noise From Here and Shuffle 'n' Cut while RCA picked up the US market for this one. The band would record a third album, but it wasn't picked up in North America. Our loss. From what I've read it isn't even clear if it was even released until much, much later.
Shuffle 'n' Cut is a wonderful new wave album that is all swagger with bright and pulsating guitars and big hooks. There were even some little nods to progressive rock with some John Wayne canned voice over on one of the tracks. It was really good. The whole album was really good, and there were more than a couple of sparkly tunes that would have made a good single back in '81.
I suppose if there's a downside it's that as good as it was, it was also a tad generic and despite a strong collection of songs there just wasn't that one defining "HOLY SHIT" moment that would have pushed Straight Eight to the top of the heap. This isn't meant to be dismissive, the album is great all the way through.
The album was produced by Mike Howlett who knew a thing or two about working with new wave bands. He produced the first two Flock of Seagulls records, Thompson Twins, China Crisis, Martha and the Muffins, and even a Joan Armatrading album.
The band was good too. Nothing extraordinary, but efficient and they sounded good.
- Rick Cassman - lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
- Boot Kingsman - lead guitar, vocals
- Steve Cherry - bass, vocals, keyboards
- Paul Turner, drums, percussion, keyboards
You should look.
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