Graham Parker’s second album, from 1976, pushes up the soul influence on his cussed, scornful songwriting, with deep beds of brass (“Heat Treatment”), sharp reggae-tinged R&B (“Something You’re Goin’ Thru”) and a pillow-soft backdrop for his caustic barbs (“Black Honey”). The Rumour were clearly schooled in hard-boiled ’60s beat pop, bringing a flinty cohesion to his sharp tales (“Hotel Chambermaid”) and, in “Hold Back the Night”, delivering the feel of Motown soul with a tension that matches the passion in Parker’s voice.
- 1979
- 1976
- 2018
- 1980
- 2007