Walk On Well Lighted Streets
Omnivore, 2021
10/10
Listen to Walk On Well Lighted Streets
This sophomore album from Gleaming Spires, i.e. Leslie Bohem and David Kendrick, was released at a time when the pair were also heavily involved with and touring for Sparks. During time away from Sparks, the duo wrangled Bob Haag on guitar and Jim Goodwin on keyboards for this full band effort of their creative music and often ominous lyrics that was never released on CD- until now.
“Mining” gets the listen off to a soulful and frisky start that includes plenty of synth acrobatics amid a thick glaze of guitar, too, and “You’re Right” continues the lively climate with thumping drums amid glorious synth melodies and Bohem’s distinct vocals.
“Fun Type” lands in the middle and bounces with a swift and busy display of rugged New Wave, while “A Christian Girl’s Problems” lends itself to some Sparks influence alongside the throbbing bass work and more pop focused landscape. “Happy Boy”, another memorable tune, then gets a little darker. but with a dreamy appeal that’s indebted to the ‘80s in all the best ways.
Approaching the end of the original album, “The Making Love Project” trims the pace back while still retaining plenty of tuneful New Wave haze and “Yes I Can” flows with a dance friendly, FM ready demeanor that just won’t allow you to sit still.
The bonus tracks are culled from The Party EP, two tracks from the Revenge Of The Nerds soundtrack and their sole contribution to the film Bad Manners. “Funk For Children” starts this portion and indeed brings funk flavor to the buzzing formula, and the power-pop friendly “Christine” offers even more diversity to their repertoire. “Brain Button (Part II)” lands near to the exit and finds a groovy place to reside, and the full band version of “Are You Ready For The Sex Girls?”, a radio hit from their debut album, sees a fuller reworking here.
Even though Gleaming Spires were essentially a part time affair at this point with their priority to Sparks, it sure doesn’t seem like it as this 2nd album embraces all the hallmarks of the early ‘80s New Wave and pop that sounds as great today as it did then and likely will for decades to come. Newly remastered and with great liner notes, expanded artwork, photos and interviews, this a lost gem from the ‘80s that has aged quite well and sounds, looks and feels better than ever.
Travels well with: Gleaming Spires- Welcoming A New Ice Age; Dexys- One Day I’m Going To Soar