Unlike The Outfield's sophomore album, Bangin', their third album, Voices Of Babylon was already one in my discography for the title track. However, to date, I have yet to get around to hearing the whole thing from start to finish. Well, today is the day to rectify that.
Babylon saw the band working with a new producer, and adopting a new sound. The end result was the album title track reaching number two on the Billboard Mainstream Rock Charts. Additionally, it's follow-up single, My Paradise, reached number thirty-four.
Playing through it, there is a definite sound change. In particular, to that of the vocals of Tony Lewis. They seem more reserved. Not as loud. Smoother, almost. Additionally, the guitars seem to have been pulled back. Gone are the wailing solos, and overall wall of sound that dominated prior albums. None of this is a bad thing.
Voices Of Babylon opens with the title track, and while it's certainly my favorite, it wasn't the last good song to be found. However, with that said, there was nothing I pulled for my shuffle list beyond the opener. This was because, like their prior albums, there's good stuff, but it's not memorable. Ultimately, the goal is to not bog down my shuffle with filler. Rather, get back to music that I won't constantly skip over when it comes around.
Overall, it was a decent listening experience, but not one that left me saying, "I need to hear that again," to the majority of the tracks. Frankly, it's albums like this, where I have one song from it that garners rotation on my playlist, that makes me wonder if it's time to consolidate my CD collection. You know, start doing away with albums that are taking up space, but don't offer much "value" to them. Would I really be distraught if I didn't hear the song Voices Of Babylon again? Probably not. Do I really need to own the whole album for just that one song? Again, probably not.
See, now I'm angry at The Outfield. Their lackluster albums are now making me question owning them. Stop making me regret my life choices! Music is supposed to bring joy, not make you ponder what you've done wrong.
Sales would continue to decline for The Outfield, and the band would leave Columbia Records as a result. They would also part ways with founding member, Alan Jackman. However, what I can't find is the reason as to why he left the band. Was he fired? Did he quit? Don't know.
Tony Lewis and John Spinks would label hop over the next several years, continuing to release albums as The Outfield throughout the 90's and 2000's. Simon Dawson would also join the band as their new drummer on 1998's It Ain't Over..., but depart after the release of 1999's Extra Innings. 2011 saw the return of Jackman, and the original lineup releasing their final album to date, Replay. However, throughout this entire period they would never recapture that moment from the 80's where they had chart topping hits.
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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS August 13, 1983 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS August 13, 1988 |
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