Reviewed by Jim Coursey
Released: August 1981 Meo 245 Screen Memory Genre: New Wave Rating: 3 out of 5 Highlights: Jewels Burning Bridges The sole full length album from Aussie new wavers Meo 245 generally doesn't take new wave anywhere it hadn’t already been, thanks to Gabriel, Numan, Ultravox etc. Synths are at the fore but the music has a strong rock feel. There are two Pauls and apparently both sing; the heavily flanged result is absolutely fine but starts to sound samey as the album wears on. “Jewels”, their second single, is by far the best and most distinctive song here. Out of the gate it sounds like prog rock, with dramatic drums punctuating a cool church organ riff. But within seconds, a cool punky descending bass pattern opens the song and, come the verse, we’re suddenly in full on new wave mode. “Burning Bridges” follows with a moody, somewhat ominous vibe. The production and arrangement are pretty great here, it’s a really engaging listen. This album is fine straight through but feels too paint-by-the-numbers 1981, aside from the two vaguely proggy tracks (closer “Wrong World” picks up the prog vibe but is less memorable than “Jewels.”) Add the vocals, which lack both drama and charisma, and the album simply falls flat.
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