GENE LOVES JEZEBEL – Dance Underwater (2017)
I don’t know you, but GENE LOVES JEZEBEL always have been one of my favorite ’80s bands. ‘The Motion Of Love’ is one of those songs that never gets old, and still rocks fresh today. After 30 years ago when Gene Loves Jezebel started rehearsing and writing songs for the album (titled The House Of Dolls) including that hit, the band are getting together again for “Dance Underwater” (to be released soon), their brand new CD produced by legendary Peter Walsh.
For a band to stay relevant across decades is unusual — but to do so with much of the same lineup for most of that time is exceptional. Such is the case with Gene Loves Jezebel, which indicates that these musicians come together not only out of an appreciation for the memorable music they create, but also because they truly like and respect each other.
Jay Aston (vocals), James Stevenson (guitars), Pete Rizzo (bass) and Chris Bell (drums) — with Peter Walsh producing — have created extraordinary GLJ songs for 30 years now.
With their new album, they honour that legacy by expanding it.
Jay Aston founded Gene Loves Jezebel in London in 1981 and quickly gained a fervent following. ‘Promise’, the band’s trailblazing debut, appeared in 1983. Though he shared vocals with his brother Michael, Jay was the primary songwriter. Jay’s songs, spotlighting his uninhibited and highly distinctive singing style, made Gene Loves Jezebel instantly memorable and identifiable.
‘Immigrant’ followed in 1985, marking Pete Rizzo’s first recordings with the band; his inventive and complex bass lines instantly became an essential part of the Gene Loves Jezebel sound.
The band matured even further on ‘Discover’ (1986), when James Stevenson joined and demonstrated his talent for delivering guitar work that is both melodic and powerful. Discover was also the first Gene Loves Jezebel album that Peter Walsh was involved in, starting a symbiotic relationship that continues with their new album.
Then, on ‘The House Of Dolls’ (1987), Chris Bell joined the band full-time, his drumming providing a flawless foundation. The album led to a big jump in their UK and US popular chart success, as well as substantial MTV exposure, a trend that continued when this same lineup released ‘Kiss Of Life (1990)’ and ‘Heavenly Bodies’ in 1992.
Gene Loves Jezebel continued recording albums but slightly changing the sound and approach.
I am glad to say that “Dance Underwater”, their first new studio album in 14 years, is a true return to form, to the classic sound. The record is varied, dynamic and has all the hallmarks of a truly great Gene Loves Jezebel album that will please the fans and appeal well beyond.
The first single lifted from the CD, ‘Summertime’, is sure to be an anthem for this Summer, catchy and breezy, it’s Gene Loves Jezebel at their poppy best with ‘that’ classic sharp guitars.
“Dance Underwater” sound playful and fresh: opener ‘Charmed Life (Never Give In)’ is plenty of keyboards but driven by Gene Loves Jezebel’s signature guitar riff.
The rockier strains of ‘World Gone Crazy’ and ‘Cry 4 U’ are propelled by skittering Bell / Rizzo backlines and stoking guitar work from Stevenson. The former, with Aston’s vivacious vocal about what seems to be one-night stand party culture, could easily be tucked away on the band’s 5-album box set as an unreleased 1987 ‘House Of Dolls’ song.
Then ‘Chase The Sun’ comes close to chill-wave, and it’s unusual for a band closing out its third decade to sound so relevant. Though it’s unlikely anyone outside of the band’s existing fan base will hear it, the track wouldn’t be amiss on FM radio as the catchiest of the bunch.
At around three quarters of an hour, “Dance Underwater” is short & punchy with catchy and solid tunes to enjoy. Walsh’s production is crisp with each instrument purposeful and clear with attention to detail. Nothing ever sounds gratuitous.
Indeed, much of this record sounds like the kind of ’80s ‘retro-future’ releases bands half their age have been peddling over the last few years.
But Gene Loves Jezebel are unique, and I highly recommend “Dance Underwater” to all readers of this blog.
01 – Charmed Life (Never Give In)
02 – Summertime
03 – How Do You Say Goodbye (To Someone You Love)
04 – IZITME
05 – Ain’t It Enough
06 – Cry 4 U
07 – Flying
08 – World Gone Crazy
09 – Chase The Sun
10 – I Don’t Wanna Dance Underwater
Guitar, Vocals – Jay Aston
Bass, Keyboards – Peter Rizzo
Drums – Chris Bell
Guitar – James Stevenson
Pre Order:
www.shinybeast.nl/item/446937/gene_loves_jezebel_dance_underwater.html
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