EP review by; DeeDee
It looks like all clouds have a silver lining for Steve Vincent. Not only has he released a brilliant solo album ‘Recovered From My Past’, he has a new line up for his band ‘Paradise Alley’. As the band embark on a few dates with Finnish friends ‘Plastic Tears’ around the UK, both celebrating thirty years in the business, (can you believe it), I take a look at the forthcoming EP ‘Bad Timing & Silver Linings’.
SOHO DAZE
A trip down memory lane, when there was an abundance of UK Glam Rock bands, who crashed out of Soho establishments in the early hours. It’s a wonder anything got produced and sadly a lot failed to do so. Steve steps off the kerb and into the rain washed gutter for this rendition. It’s a cheery bar, a late night kiss and debauched antics, with light dustings of guitar chords and tales told with whiskey fuelled passion.
BACKSTABBER
Rewritten from an old project that never survived, this is another side of being in a band. Sometimes it doesn’t work, friendships fall apart and there can be bitterness and jealously. ‘Backstabber’ whirls with superb guitar sounds and the lyrics pour out the truths. It has a brandishing of smoothness, flaunting a story that becomes wonderfully despicable.
WALK AWAY
Another song that stems from personal experiences, something that Steve writes about with such clarity. It’s one with more growling and rumbling as it wanders and has sturdy backing vocals during the chorus, that provide an increase in depth. It’s a shanty that alternates and flows.
BAD TIMING & SILVER LININGS
The title track is a quote from Steve when asked why ‘Paradise Alley’ never ‘broke through’ and achieved more. Many bands could say the same, bad luck or being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A storming humdinger with all the elements, it trashes the furniture and leaves the surroundings, in wasted abandon.
How cool is this EP. I love the fact that thirty years on, we can still listen and appreciate these songs, as some were almost lost forever. Songs that should never have disappeared, if only the band had been more robust. Worthy of being at the pinnacle of the sleaze rock era, I’m so glad bands like Paradise Alley, have re-emerged onto the circuit.
EP Credits;
Steve on lead/backing vocals, guitar, bass, harmonica and drum programming
Alex Holmes (The Suicide Notes) on lead and rhythm guitars
Kerry Vincent on backing vocals
Artwork; Paul Ford Artwork
Paradise Alley with Steve Vincent on vocals, are now completed by Adam Feasey (Adam & The Hellcats) on guitar, Ian Welch (ex-Tigertailz/Rag Dolls) on drums and Ian “Ged” Norris on bass.
Socials;
Instagram: @paradisealleyuk
All releases available on Bombshell Records at: https://paradisealley1.bandcamp.com
#rockmediauk #rockmediaukreviews #rockmediaukinterviews #rockmediauknews #rockmediauklive #livemusic #bandinterviews #livereviews #EPreview #paradisealley #badtimingsandsilverlinings #glamrock #sleazerock #stevevincent #plastictears #newrelease #newEP