NAZARETH – Malice In Wonderland 1980 [Air Mail Archive Japan / Remastered +7] HQ *Exclusive*

320_1 /// 320_2 /// HQ 1 /// HQ 2

As part of Ａ Ｉ Ｒ  Ｍ Ａ Ｉ Ｌ  Ａ Ｒ Ｃ Ｈ Ｉ Ｖ Ｅ Japanese label reissue campaign of NAZARETH albums featuring 24-bit remastering and cardboard sleeve mini-LP replica, here’s 1980’s “Malice In Wonderland“, including bonus tracks. According to the label, this is ’24 Bit remaster 2006′ especially done for the Japanese market. Sound quality is excellent.
After the heavy lurch of the previous album, the band chose to follow a more commercial path to hit the American market and “Malice In Wonderland” produced the hit singles “Holiday” and “Heart’s Grown Cold”. This is the second and last studio album to feature guitarist Zal Cleminson (ex- Sensational Alex Harvey Band as a member of the band) who contributed a lot with songwriting.

As the 1980s began, NAZARETH decided to return to the AOR experimentation they had toyed with during the 1970s on albums like Close Enough for Rock & Roll and Play ‘N The Game. Slickly produced by Doobie Brothers / Steely Dan guitarist Jeff ‘Skunk’ Baxter (a hero of the band), ”Malice In Wonderland” alienated many old-school fans, but brought new ones into the fold, especially from America.
However, they managed to retain their identity as a hard rocking group this time out by tempering their pop experimentation with a tougher sound that took advantage of their new dual-guitar lineup. The harder songs have a THIN LIZZY / UFO rockin’ feel with sublime hooks.
The end result is an album that effectively blends the energy and firepower that fueled Nazareth’s best hard rock recordings with a slick, radio-friendly soundscape that is easy on the ears.

A good example of this careful balance is the album opener “Holiday,” a witty send-up of rich rock & rollers that effectively layers a sing-along chorus done in a mock-calypso style and some slick harmonies over its boogie beat and fat power chords. Other experimental highlights include “Big Boy,” a midtempo rocker with a reggae chorus, and “Ship of Dreams,” an acoustic rocker with a Spanish-inspired flamenco melody.
Meanwhile, the group satisfies their hard rock fanbase with tracks like “Talkin to One of the Boys,” a lightning-speed rocker built on a blinding dual-guitar riff, and “Showdown at the Border,” an insistent guitar showcase with riffs and solos to spare.

”Malice In Wonderland” also produced a notable hit for Nazareth in “Heart’s Grown Cold,” a kiss-off ballad that starts with a delicate acoustic melody and builds into an all-stops-out production where bombastic guitars support a group of backup singers wailing the song’s chorus.
All in all, ”Malice in Wonderland” is one of the high points in Nazareth’s career and the best-ever fusion of their hard rock and AOR tendencies. Guitar-lovers will enjoy the strong contribution from Zal Cleminson whose playing and writing give the album a witty, eclectic edge that is reminiscent of his work with Alex Harvey. So… no monster mascots here, but this is still killer stuff anyway.
In short, it’s required listening for the group’s fans and also an album likely to please hard rock lovers and AOR fanatics alike. An overlooked gem for rock fans that like it classic and classy.
Highly Recommended

Ａ Ｉ Ｒ  Ｍ Ａ Ｉ Ｌ  Ａ Ｒ Ｃ Ｈ Ｉ Ｖ Ｅ
AIRAC～1272
Cardboard Sleeve (mini LP)

02 – Showdown At The Border
03 – Talkin’ To One Of The Boys
04 – Heart’s Grown Cold
05 – Fast Cars
06 – Big Boy
07 – Talkin’ ‘Bout Love
08 – Fallen Angel
09 – Ship Of Dreams
10 – Turning A New Leaf
BONUS TRACKS:
11 – Holiday -Single Edit Version-
12 – Ship Of Dreams -Single Edit Version-
13 – Heart’s Grown Cold -Live Version-
14 – Talkin’ To One Of The Boys -Live Version-
15 – Showdown At The Border -Live Outtake Version-
16 – Holiday -Live Outtake Version-
17 – Heart’s Grown Cold -Live Version-

Dan McCafferty – lead vocals
Manny Charlton – guitars
Zal Cleminson – guitars, synths
Pete Agnew – bass, backing vocals
Darrell Sweet – drums

Out of print
cdjapan.co.jp/product/DAKAIRAC-1272