Wednesday, August 3, 2022

The 1981 Listening Post - Sniff N' the Tears - Love/Action

 Sniff N' the Tears - Love/Action


#654

1981 Housekeeping

Sniff N’ the Tears

Love/Action

Genre: If you like Al Stewart….

4 out of 5



Highlights:

Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is

Without Love



I’m back to talking about band names. I really think the best days of this band are behind them. Or maybe they were always a middle of the road offering but, since one guy seems to be in charge, why not just call it “Paul Roberts Band”? Or “Paul Roberts’ Project”? Or, better yet, “Paul Roberts’ Sniff n’ the Tears”?


I don’t hate a single track on the thing, which consists mostly of mid-tempo rockers allowing for various members to take up solos on the breaks and Paul’s raspy rock voice perfect for 1977. 


Sweetly gentle, unfettered songwriting that can’t offend and wouldn’t if it wanted to. 

Songwriting as storytelling is something that we are sorely missing today, with all the confessional bloodletting going around. I’m glad Paul was still giving it a shot even though it was way out of vogue. 

It gets a little weird when they try to rock out with the new wave offering “Don’t Frighten me” but I’ll allow it. It’s better than anything Tim Finn ever did.


I’m listening to this on Mother’s Day morning, while waiting for the rest of the family to wake up, sipping a Grand Lungo Cappuccino and that is exactly the right setting for this album.



I liked this album more than history does, apparently. 


https://music.apple.com/us/album/love-action/1549687237

No comments: