Between Alfalfa and Dream Academy (Never Reissued)

THE ACT - TOO LATE AT 20 (1981)

 

Prior to Dream Academy, Nick Laird-Clowes led the more down-to-earth Act. On the band's lone album, impeccable production (by Joe Boyd and John Wood of Nick Drake, Fairport Convention fame) gives his controlled passion and the band's tight, tasteful playing a clearly deserved chance to be heard. Elvis Costello and Tom Petty appear to be the Act's major influences (there are also nods to the Byrds and Springsteen) but the quartet rises above derivation, giving such songs as "Touch and Go" and "The Long Island Sound" indelible emotional authenticity. (Trouser Press)

The album includes a reworking fo the two songs included on the "499 2139" compilation.

The Act also featured Mark Gilmour (brother of David) who joined Scarlet Party, a band having released "101 Damn-Nations", a beatlesque song included on plenty of compilations.

 

WU (224 mb)