Lost In Confusion!
Dr. Of Style | Saginaw, MI | 12/10/2004
(1 out of 5 stars)
"I am a big fan of Pavlov's Dog, but I cannot recommend this album; in fact, I don't even think it's necessary for the avid fan of the group to have in his or her collection.
The first time I listened to this CD, I wanted to throw it away--that's how bad it is. Believe me--it is NOWHERE CLOSE to their first two wonderful albums. So, the question remains--how did this album at hand turn out to be so bad, even silly and sophmoric? The obvious answers are many.
First, gone are the wonderful supporting cast from PAMPERED MENIAL and AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL. Only two of the original members are left: David Surkamp and Douglas Rayburn. For example, gone are the amazing drumming gymnastics of Bill Bruford (AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL), and the great guitar works of Steve Scorfina (although he apparently plays on one song here). The new additions to the group on this effort just can't carry the wonderful weight and precedent set down by the members from the first two albums. What makes this album perhaps the most unlistenable is the silly, syrupy tenor sax meanderings. This cat playing the horn has no direction, no feel for the music, and no soul or rhythm; all he or she does is basically play notes along the way. This sax is so bad, that it, by itself, makes the album unlistenable! Man--how I miss Michael Brecker and Andy Mackay!
Second, I guess this is what fourteen years can do to a band. Surprisingly, the lyrics and the music on this album are just plain bad. Once again, they are certainly not even comparable to the groups first two efforts. No direction. No soul. No heartfelt emotion. Not very convincing.
Next, I don't know who produced/directed this thing (it doesn't say on my cd copy), but the songs are lackluster and seem to be thrown together in a haphazard way. To me( and I do believe I could have helped the group here) the songs seem out of order, poorly written (most), and not very good or effective musicianship ( I would have brought in some or all of the cast members from 'ATSOTB.").
Most of the songs seem to be talking about a lost or wrecked relationship, and, I have to say, it gets pretty darn old after a while!
On the upside, their is, albeit rare, some promise here. The song "Breaking Ice" is a rather catchy tune (I love the line: " I don't want a piece of your life; I had you all night!"). This is perhaps the best song on the album. It is a rocker, with a nice change in the second chorus. Had the album contained great songs like this throughout, I would give it a much higher rating! The song "All Night" is a decent tune as well. I love the beat and tempo of "As Lovers Do," but that god-awful, silly sax spoils any hope for this tune!
I guess I just became spoiled by my expecting the brilliance and wonderment of the first two albums. That definitely isn't here. Neither are the musicians and the musicianship. The crafty, witty, beautiful, and haunting lyrics and music are also gone!
I don't like to be negative about a group I love so much, but, I believe any true fan of the group would also not give much more than a One-Star rating for this ridiculous and silly effort.
Perhaps some groups only have one or two classic albums in them. And that appears to be the case here. But, that being said, AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL is one of my all-time favorite albums by ANYBODY! It is so good, in fact, that it still sends shivers down my spine each and every time I listen to it.
So, if you want to see what this once-wonderful band is all about, don't look here, by all means go and buy AT THE SOUND OF THE BELL and PAMPERED MENIAL; two great and classic albums, from this little known but once-wonderful group!
Rock On,
Dr.Of Style
"
It's a Goody.
john hald | Australia | 01/27/2002
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Well,,,, this come back album from Pavlov's Dog in the late 80's
is not a bad collection of new song's.
No its not on the same par as Pampered Menial or Sound of the bell, but its still a 'goody'.
David Surkhamp and Douglas Rayburn are the only original members,
Steve scofina makes a guest appearance.
The songs a strong(lost in America)the title track kicks in well
with nice acoustic guiatar's and good Syn; wovern into the melody.The rest of the songs on Lost in America are also verymelodic with the 80's sound mixed througout.
If you can get a hold of this album its well worth the trouble,
as it makes a nice add on to Pampered Menial and Sound of the Bell."
Terrific Addition to this band's catalogue
W. Mitchell | Australia | 09/12/2008
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This album, recorded in 1990, has the production values of the era (big drums, perhaps too much of a reliance on synths instead of piano/organ) However it is a terrific addition to the earlier, classic Pavlov's Dogs' albums 'Pampered Menial' & 'At the Sound of the Bell'. While the whole ablum is very good the final four tracks build to a great conclusion. Highly recommended for fans of this fabulous, relatively unknown & definitely under appreciated band. Also check out their previously unreleased (but now finally released) 1977 album 'Has Anyone Here Seen Sigfried' & the 2007 release by singer David Surkamp 'Dancing on the Edge of a Teacup'."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1