Rich Kids – Ghosts Of Princes In Towers (LP) / Midge Ure
When encountering this album it’s clear from the start that The Rich Kids are not Glen Matlock’s trip alone, singer/guitarist Midge Ure steps up to the plate with some great songs that provide a nice contrast to Matlock’s material. While guitarist Steve New and drummer Rusty Egan provide both flash and muscle on their respective instruments. Steve New would actually emege later as a gifted songwriter on the material from the group’s aborted second album.
The opening number “Strange One” is just that, a strange opener that actually carries the post-punk sound of 1979 a year early, it reminds me a great deal of early Ultravox blended with the sound of late period Buzzcocks and even Wire. It’s an impressive beginning and really sets the table for this great album. “Hung On You” is a blast of high charged power pop that sounds like the Dwight Twilley Band on steroids, this would have made for a smashing 45. Following it is the aforementioned title track “Ghosts Of Princes In Towers” which just never gets old and is as good as British rock gets, clearly a song for the ages!!! “Cheap Emotions” is nothing really special but is certainly worthy of an album slot as it bridges the gap to the most experimental track on the album Midge Ure’s “Marching Men” (the group’s 2nd single), this number is quite a change from the group’s normal sound but it is fantastic in it’s own right. Similar to “Strange One” the song leans heavily on keyboards and atmosphere before exploding in a rousing climax. This ends side one of the original record.
Side two opens with 2 reasonable power-pop charmers in “Put You In The Picture” & “Young Girls” both of which bring to the underrated UK group The Boys. The record closes out with one firecracker after another, beginning with the hell bent slasher “Bullet Proof Lover” this is followed by the group’s debut single “Rich Kids” which of course is spledid, some have said this song sounds like The Monkees in that is a musical introduction the group itself in a similar fashion as “The Monkees Theme” I’m A Monkees freak myself so comparing anyone to The Monkees is a high compliment. “Lovers & Fools” is another wonderful melodic rocker with an interesting groove and rattling percussion (this would have also been a great 45 on an LP brimming with them.) The original album closes proper with the positively inspiring “Burning Sounds” which has the power of The Clash with the melodic grace of Gen X at their best! A fantastic finale to a truly underrated album that just begs for re-discovery. In my opinion The Rich Kids reduce anything Oasis have ever done to ashes.
Label: Rich Kids
Country: UK
Media Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)