Third time’s a charm, right? More like three strikes and yer out… The irony of naming their third album Mainstream was not lost on any of Lloyd Cole & The Commotions’ fans. Especially since the album’s inexplicable inability to garner the ever elusive mainstream recognition it sought would prove to be the band’s undoing. Released in 1987 and produced by Tears For Fears keyboardist Ian Stanley, Mainstream veers back and forth between moody, atmospheric tracks and upbeat rockers. It’s the sound of a band that seems to have comfortably hit a groove — not a rut — with Lloyd’s lyrics and the band’s musicianship meshing perfectly.
As one fan commented on Amazon, it’s Lloyd’s ability to mix an album with slow introspective songs right along with hook-happy pop tunes that makes listening to Mainstream such a pleasure. Indeed, the album is full, lush and confidant without sounding too overproduced. As for pretension? Well, as always, Lloyd expertly balances along that fine line and avoids, I think, the pratfalls of sounding like a prat.
I had the good fortune of seeing the band right around this time at the old 9:30 Club. They certainly didn’t come across as a band on the verge of breaking up. Instead, I recall them being cool — in the jazz sense of the word, not aloof — extremely professional and totally in sync. The lights dimmed and the smartly dressed band took up their positions on the club’s small stage. Awash in deep blue light, swirling cigarette smoke and shadows, they launched into… the “James Bond Theme.” For a Bond aficionado like myself, this choice as an opening number clinched the deal for me. As the Commotions neared the end of the classic spy riff, the lead singer slipped onto the stage and, without missing a beat, they segued perfectly into “Perfect Skin” and 90 minutes of jangling pop perfection. Lucky me.When Andy was a baby, Lori would put Mainstream on the stereo, tuck him into her shoulder and dance around our little living room with him. For some reason, music from this album alone would always quiet him down if he was upset.
Mainstream was originally released in 1987 and reached #9 in the British charts. Like its two predecessors, three singles were released: “From the Hip” (#59), “Jennifer She Said” (#31) and the only Commotions song to chart in the U.S., “My Bag” (#13). The Happy Medium Song of the Day is sidestepping all three in favor of “Mister Malcontent,” a song that might have been written as Lloyd Cole pondered the next stage in his career: flying solo after three brilliant albums with his bandmates failed to ignite the kind of commotion they truly deserved.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
As one fan commented on Amazon, it’s Lloyd’s ability to mix an album with slow introspective songs right along with hook-happy pop tunes that makes listening to Mainstream such a pleasure. Indeed, the album is full, lush and confidant without sounding too overproduced. As for pretension? Well, as always, Lloyd expertly balances along that fine line and avoids, I think, the pratfalls of sounding like a prat.
I had the good fortune of seeing the band right around this time at the old 9:30 Club. They certainly didn’t come across as a band on the verge of breaking up. Instead, I recall them being cool — in the jazz sense of the word, not aloof — extremely professional and totally in sync. The lights dimmed and the smartly dressed band took up their positions on the club’s small stage. Awash in deep blue light, swirling cigarette smoke and shadows, they launched into… the “James Bond Theme.” For a Bond aficionado like myself, this choice as an opening number clinched the deal for me. As the Commotions neared the end of the classic spy riff, the lead singer slipped onto the stage and, without missing a beat, they segued perfectly into “Perfect Skin” and 90 minutes of jangling pop perfection. Lucky me.When Andy was a baby, Lori would put Mainstream on the stereo, tuck him into her shoulder and dance around our little living room with him. For some reason, music from this album alone would always quiet him down if he was upset.
Mainstream was originally released in 1987 and reached #9 in the British charts. Like its two predecessors, three singles were released: “From the Hip” (#59), “Jennifer She Said” (#31) and the only Commotions song to chart in the U.S., “My Bag” (#13). The Happy Medium Song of the Day is sidestepping all three in favor of “Mister Malcontent,” a song that might have been written as Lloyd Cole pondered the next stage in his career: flying solo after three brilliant albums with his bandmates failed to ignite the kind of commotion they truly deserved.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)