Search - Little River Band :: No Reins

A creative peak, commercial disaster

Brett Simpson | Auckland, New Zealand | 09/08/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This, the third of 3 albums with John Farnham as lead vocalist almost reaches the heights achieved on 1978's superb "Sleeper Catcher". Unfortunately neither the album or it's single, "Time For Us" made any impression on the charts whatsoever.The songs are uniformly strong, with band leader Graham Goble turning in some of his best tunes ever, particularly with "No Reins On Me" and the catchy "It's Just A Matter Of Time". New drummer Steve Prestwich hands them his classic Cold Chisel ballad "When The War Is Over" and Farnham nails it, making this easily the definitive version. Bassist/vocalist Wayne Nelson (Best known for handling lead vocals on the 1981 smash "The Night Owls") doesn't let the side down with his contributions ("Time For Us" and "Thin Ice") either.Shortly after this album Farnham decamped to rekindle his solo career, which reached greater heights than ever in his native Australia. Original lead vocalist Glenn Shorrock returned to the fold for a couple of lacklustre albums making this the last great LRB album. If you only know the hits it may seem a departure from the familiar, but it will surely be a welcome one. Certainly if you are a fan of John Farnham this album should be in your collection - these are the best songs he's ever sung."

Last LRB album with lead-singer John Farnham

F. Aue | Berlin, Germany | 12/30/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Learning from the unsuccessful release of the 'Playing To Win' album, GRAEHAM GOBLE obviously pushed the band back to their soft-rock roots and consequently used more close harmony arrangements and commercially oriented songs. For that reason 'No Reins' became a very good LITTLE RIVER BAND album, which nobody knew at that time [hardcore fans excluded]. The 'New Romantic' wave had taken over to America and left guitar-oriented bands far behind, for more modern sounds using synthesizers and computers were asked by the audience. The missing success is truly deplorable, as No Reins contains some of LRB'S most beautiful recordings, for instance "Face In The Crowd", "Time For Us", "When The War Is Over" [which is a cover version of a COLD CHISEL recording from their 'Circus Animals' album, penned by new LRB drummer STEVEN PRESTWICH - but much more convicting in this LRB version] and "Forever Blue" [which became a delayed hit 1995 in the Netherlands]."

Underated

David Gray | sacramento ca | 09/28/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"As a late comer to LRB music. I was quite impressed with this CD. The tight harmonies which they are known for did not disappoint. However, the melodies are some of the best ever from LRB. From 'No Reins' on. This was their last very good effort. It should have done better on the radio, but unfortunately at the time Duran Duran, Billy Idol and others were on. This gets better with age."