Search - Prism :: See Forever Eyes

Engineers/Producers have fans, too

Home Recordist | Richmond, VA United States | 06/05/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If nothing else, I think this album is notable for three things -- (a) Bruce Fairbairn's amazing production skills (which hold up well over time, even if the arrangements don't always do the same); (b) the edgy, almost-power-pop, guitar-driven sound that still left room for John Hall's keyboards ('Flyin' always represented -- to me, at least -- the type of sound that Styx might have attained if Dennis DeYoung hadn't been such a pretentious snot and had just listened to JY a little more); and (c) quite possibly the most eclectic band photo collage I've ever seen (STILL!) on the back cover.



On the serious side, if you're a fan of late 70's - early 80's AOR and you like the music and arrangements of bands like Styx and Shooting Star, this just might be for you. If you're more to the Shooting Star side, stick to the first couple of albums (with the late Ron Tabak on vocals); if you're more into the wanna-be prog of Styx, stick to the later stuff (with Henry Small on vocals). Either way, you might find it a little surprising that these guys didn't garner more FM airplay in the states. For that matter, you might be wondering the same thing about Shooting Star, but I digress....



On the non-serious side, the individual photos of the five members on the back have to make you wonder if these guys were all part of the same band. The first guy looks like a Bay City Roller castoff, the second guy looks like David Lee Roth's stunt double (circa 1978, when Roth still had hair), the third guy is dressed like this was the Judas Priest "Hell Bent For Leather" photo shoot, the fourth guy looks like the dweeb you used to beat up and shove into his own locker in high school, and the last guy looks like he might have been commissioned to paint your portrait -- possibly with his moustache. I guess you have to see it. Or maybe it's just me. It's probably just me.



While the original recordings were no doubt terrific (this album sounded great on vinyl), the remastering job done by Ted Carson for this cd release is nothing short of phenomenal. He deserves credit for a job well done.



Finally, if you're a Bruce Fairbairn fan, I strongly urge you to check out 1998's "Torch This Place" by Atomic Fireballs. Even if big band/swing isn't your style, there's no getting around how great that mix sounds.

"

Flashbacks

Joe | Belize | 12/02/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Wow. As teenager in the 70's, a promo tour for See Forever Eyes was my first concert. I thought they were musical giants, with deep poetry and powerful melodies... Sigh.



With 25 years of hindsight and maturity, the music is no longer sophisticated but it's still fun. The vocals and tunes are typical of 70's pop-rock (with some elements of bubblegum pop), and take you back to that era when mainstream rock (and the AOR FM stations that played it) was transitioning to Top 40.



Again -- a fun cd. Don't buy it if you're looking for artsy rock or powerful guitar riffs. But if you want an example of popular tunes from the late 70's, this isn't a bad example."

See Forever... Right to the Eyes!

Joe | 06/22/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Jun 21, 2004. 1978 was the year that the group Prism consolidated a place in the canadian Rock scene. This year Tom Lavin, Ab Bryant & Rodney Higgs left the band and Prism presented Rocket Norton on Drums and Allen Harlow on Bass & rhythm guitar. Lidsay Mitchel, Bruce Hall and Ron Tabak (RIP), had more freedom to write new songs for the See Forever Eyes album with the production assistance of the great Bruce Fairbairn (RIP), former trumpetist for Prism and a known producer for many rock bands after this ("The Ladder", one of his last recordings with YES). Allen Harlow helped the band to reach a superstar status with Flyin', a song which became a national hit and a break through in U.S.; Here in Mexico the song was played a lot in FM radio as well as See Forever Eyes and Spaceship Superstar. Harlow, co-wrote tracks with the band like Nickels & Dimes and Just Like Me, too. Another top tracks of the record were Hello, N-N-N-NO! and of course the epic progressive See Forever Eyes. This plate retakes the past formula of its predecesor, mixing basic R&B with a great deal of horns (due the possible influence of Fairbairn), making it a kind of an orchestral Rhythm & Blues based feel with a delightful embellishments of light progressive passages. An obligation for the Prism fans and an excellent beginning for new listeners!... Good Luck!"