MAX WEBSTER – A Million Vacations [Rock Candy Remastered] (2018) *EXCLUSIVE*

Fronted by talented Kim Mitchell, MAX WEBSTER was an essential act in Canadian Rock history. All their key albums have been recently Remastered & Reloaded by Rock Candy Records, and as requested by many, here they are.
“A Million Vacations” is Max Webster’s fourth album which secured them not only a Platinum record in Canada with three singles, it opened up the international market for the band as well.

When it comes to capturing the imagination and interest of progressive hard rock fans then Max Webster must surely be one of the successful. Once you get your head around the fact that they weren’t actually named after a real person – so no one in the band was actually called Max Webster – then suddenly all the weirdness becomes acceptable and endearing.

Why are Max Webster still held in such high esteem by their devoted fanbase? Possibly because they concocted an ideal mixture of humour and incredible playing / composition. From playful musical sections to the words of lyricist Pye Dubois, Max could also be counted on to poke you in the ribs.

“A Million Vacations” is certainly one of their best albums. At this stage of the game, Max Webster was really cooking. The 10 songs within represent some peak level songwriting, and several are still on Classic Rock Radio today. Through the airwaves, “Paradise Skies”, “Let Go the Line”, “A Million Vacations” and “Night Flights” might be speeding over the air somewhere as you read this.

The Kim Michell/Dubois co-write “Paradise Skies”, one of Max’s most immediate tracks, is the party opener, total mainstream Max Webster: catchy hooks, insane playing, and a chorus that’s ready to blast off.
Terry Watkinson’s “Charmonium” is more complex but no less catchy. The keyboardist wrote the song and does the lead vocals as well. Dig into those keys / analog synth flurries of notes making up some tasty solo sections.

Losing no momentum, “Night Flights” keeps a jaunty pace. Pye Dubois’ poem about the love of touring reminds us how important Pye was to the band. How many bands have a touring lyricist?
Breaking the fun-loving character for just a moment, a day-dreamy “Sun Voices” has connections to the next songs, “Moon Voices” and “A Million Vacations”.

And title track is one of my favorites, a party-ready summer anthem with a great guitar riff by Kim Mitchell and a fun rhythm. “Look Out” is a buried gem: the chorus is written around a catchy keyboard line which suddenly gives way to a conga jam. It’s Max as only Max can do, daring but never fearing.

But ‘side two’ centerpiece is undoubtedly the magnificent ballad “Let Go the Line”, with Watkinson back on lead vocals. Mitchell orchestrates a guitar chorus for the main instrument hook and it’s instant love. For sheer smart rock&pop songwriting, “Let Go the Line” is Max’s finest.
This RC remaster really reveals a lot of nuance in the back of this song that were hard or impossible to hear on previous CD editions.

We have more fun with “Rascal Houdi”, an undeniable party rocker. But the party finale, “Research (At Beach Resorts)” takes it to the max (pun intended).
Elsewhere, compositionally the album is exceptionally strong, and unafraid to take chances. Often there’s a whimsical, satirical flavour to the album’s lyrics, but in terms of musicianship Max Webster are not joking at all. It’s also a record that captured some of band leader Kim Mitchell’s most fluent and impressive melodic guitar solos.

The band recorded two more albums before split, but Mitchell and Dubois continued to work closely together after the band’s breakup, with Mitchell enjoying a successful solo career including several multi-platinum album sales during the Eighties.
“A Million Vacations” is my favorite Max Webster LP, and Rock Candy’s remastering lab – the place where digital and analogue meet, and make friends – has preserved the music’s warm, valve driven ambience.
Highly Recommended

Only at 0dayrox

01 – Paradise Skies
02 – Charmonium
03 – Night Flights
04 – Sun Voices
05 – Moon Voices
06 – A Million Vacations
07 – Look Out
08 – Let Go The Line
09 – Rascal Houdi
10 – Research (At Beach Resorts)

Kim Mitchell – guitars, lead vocals
Terry Watkinson – keyboards, lead vocals
Gary McCracken – drums, percussion, vocals
Dave Myles – bass guitar

BUY IT !
www.clear-spot.nl/item/470045/max_webster_a_million_vacations.html
.