The Glitter Band - Rock'n'roll Dudes (CD, Imported)

The Glitter Band's second album might indeed have borne one of the era's most cringe-worthy titles, and a sleeve that wasn't much better. But, once inside and reveling within the meaty stomps and playful heartbreaks that were the band's raison d'etre once they were away from kingpin Gary Glitter, Rock 'n' Roll Dudes emerges at least as much fun as its predecessor and, in places, even more memorable. Last time, after all, it was "Angel Face" that took the honors, and that was a rhythm they could play in their sleep. This time around, "Goodbye My Love" simply scythes out of nowhere to reveal a romantic streak the size of Connecticut and a handle on all the bittersweetness that an airport farewell could possibly entail. Stunning, too, is "Game's Up," a song that might be better known from Hello's almost-hit cover later in the year, but which still packs a glitter-stomp that is all but unrepeatable. And while the opening "For Always and Ever" rides a guitar and drum crunch that simply summarizes everything you've always thought the Glitter Band should sound like, the song itself has a mid-'60s feel that is as contagious as it is cute. Further fist-waving rockers "Sweet Baby Blue," "I Can't Stop," and "Bring Her Back" follow in similar footsteps, while it still seems incredible that the scarf-waving "Do You Remember" was passed over as a single -- all the more so since "Let's Get Together Again" wasn't. An idiot chant that went out of its way to justify every criticism ever laid at the Glitter Band's door (repetitive, clich‚d, and utterly moronic), the song remains a black mark in the band's output and an unsightly stain on this album. Indeed, though Rock 'n' Roll Dudes may not be perfect, it is certainly better than its best-known number. ~ Dave Thompson