Reviewed by Gerald Kells

The Americans always try but never succeed in copying new British styles. All their attempts at aping the licks of U2, Simple Minds or even the Sex Pistols, a band they still remember, are doomed to either a heavy metal guitar solo or a song about bunny rabbits. I had firmly placed the Altar Boys as sincere copyists, a decent but uneventful band trying to be U2. I sat placidly through their last gig at Greenbelt. But reviewing this Mike Stand solo album has improved their standing in my mind. It isn't everything I would like, and it certainly isn't the Smiths, which is what it would like to be, but it is well produced and full of variety (unlike the Smiths.) Leaving aside the duff "Whispers in the Morning", the album tends to improve as it goes on and "I Melt into You" is very strong though side two rather dies on a sub-Bono ballad. Nothing to threaten the 77s' lead in this field, but it will certainly appeal to anyone who wears a Morrissey T-Shirt, is an Altar Boys fan, or both.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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