In the late ‘80s music was Ireland’s biggest money-making export — rivaled only by God’s milkshake, Guinness Stout. Some of the music was bad. Some of it was good. Not all of it was U2, but most of it shared the same fiery passion and intensity. I’m all for that.
Power of Dreams’ first ep was released in the fall of 1989 and garnered all sorts of critical acclaim. It was also awarded the infamous “sounds like U2” sticker that the owner of Yesterday and Today Records in Rockville, Maryland used to put on every new Irish release to persuade me to buy it. (My friends and I used to joke that “sounds like U2” was the musical equivalent to “tastes like chicken” — if you weren’t a fan like me). Needless to say, I took the bait and added A Little Piece of God to my day’s purchase, and never for a moment felt hoodwinked by the comparison. For me, that sticker was more like a safe springboard to something I had never heard before and Skip knew I would probably like, rather than a cheap marketing ploy Skip knew I would fall for.
Six months later the band’s debut album, immigrants, emigrants and me was released. I didn’t need a “sounds like U2” sticker to entice me this time. Power of Dreams had created a masterpiece that distilled the essence of U2 and then injected it with something completely unique and original. It seems like a more mature recording than U2’s first effort, and in some ways, it feels more Irish too. It’s a solid recording that I rescue from the cut-out bins from time to time and whoever I give it to is always grateful and surprised. Following up immigrants, emigrants and me, POD hit the road on a rigorous tour schedule with bands like The House of Love, and The Wedding Present (another incredible concert opportunity missed somehow). The band released three more albums (the last of which, Become Yourself I have never actually been able to find), became huge in Japan, of all places, and then sadly called it a day. Frontman Craig Walker momentarily put together a promising band called Pharmacy. The band released one brilliant single (which Lori somehow managed to slip under the Christmas tree that year), and broke up. Interestingly, a long-dormant My Space page recently announced that the Walker brothers were reforming the band and expected to be touring Ireland this year. Sounds like a good time to check into cheap flights on Aer Lingus…
“Never Been to Texas” by Power of Dreams is The Happy Medium Song of the Day. In 1990 it reached #1 in the Irish charts and #10 in the UK. I’m guessing it’s the first time most of you have ever heard it.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)
Power of Dreams’ first ep was released in the fall of 1989 and garnered all sorts of critical acclaim. It was also awarded the infamous “sounds like U2” sticker that the owner of Yesterday and Today Records in Rockville, Maryland used to put on every new Irish release to persuade me to buy it. (My friends and I used to joke that “sounds like U2” was the musical equivalent to “tastes like chicken” — if you weren’t a fan like me). Needless to say, I took the bait and added A Little Piece of God to my day’s purchase, and never for a moment felt hoodwinked by the comparison. For me, that sticker was more like a safe springboard to something I had never heard before and Skip knew I would probably like, rather than a cheap marketing ploy Skip knew I would fall for.
Six months later the band’s debut album, immigrants, emigrants and me was released. I didn’t need a “sounds like U2” sticker to entice me this time. Power of Dreams had created a masterpiece that distilled the essence of U2 and then injected it with something completely unique and original. It seems like a more mature recording than U2’s first effort, and in some ways, it feels more Irish too. It’s a solid recording that I rescue from the cut-out bins from time to time and whoever I give it to is always grateful and surprised. Following up immigrants, emigrants and me, POD hit the road on a rigorous tour schedule with bands like The House of Love, and The Wedding Present (another incredible concert opportunity missed somehow). The band released three more albums (the last of which, Become Yourself I have never actually been able to find), became huge in Japan, of all places, and then sadly called it a day. Frontman Craig Walker momentarily put together a promising band called Pharmacy. The band released one brilliant single (which Lori somehow managed to slip under the Christmas tree that year), and broke up. Interestingly, a long-dormant My Space page recently announced that the Walker brothers were reforming the band and expected to be touring Ireland this year. Sounds like a good time to check into cheap flights on Aer Lingus…
“Never Been to Texas” by Power of Dreams is The Happy Medium Song of the Day. In 1990 it reached #1 in the Irish charts and #10 in the UK. I’m guessing it’s the first time most of you have ever heard it.
(Please use the comments box to share your thoughts.)