Finally released! Original recordings from the 80’s including a live version of “Young Hearts” from The Karate Kid recorded at The Palace in Hollywood.
Album Review:
If you were ever lucky enough to remember this 80’s electropop, New Wave band Commuter, you would love this album. Dave Merenda, the venerable leader of the band, singer and songwriter produces a collection of old demos and recordings that will put you right back into the mid-80’s.
Bookending the set is the hit song “Young Hearts” from the movie, “The Karate Kid”. One is the studio demo and the other is a live version recorded at the Palace in Los Angeles. On both versions of the track one immediately recognizes the sequenced keyboard sound that loops through the song. The live version of the song is as tight and full as the studio version.
The next tracks, “Lonely Is The Heart” and “Like I Do” feature up tempo dance beats and pumping bass from bass player John McCormick. You immediately know that the track “Dark Side Of The Moon” is not the Pink Floyd song with the opening lyric “you’ve been walkin’ into town with a loaded gun” and the syncopated keyboard part.
“Something Going On” blends traditional Japanese music with power guitar and blues. “Adrienne Allemande” and “No Such Thing As Love” both speak of love and loss and hurt. The ending on the latter is like a music round, rock style.
“Building Bridges” is a study in classical pop music if Mozart were to live in the 1980’s (instead of the 1780’s). “Toss And Turn” is a mid tempo and “Heart of Stone”
“Reflections” is a slow journey with colorful guitar woven throughout then has a change up about half way in to an uptempo rocker and a slow and easy ending.
If you like a cross between Elvis Costello, Devo, Thomas Dolby, Billy Idol and Depeche Mode you will love Dave Merenda & Commuter.
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