On their final album,
the Red Rockers
abandoned the stripped-down
power pop
of
Good as Gold
, adding elements of
folk-rock
and British
new wave
. This may have been due to a change in guitarists or the influence of bands like
the Alarm
and
U2
. Regardless,
Schizophrenic Circus
' soaring guitars and harmonies evoked
the Byrds
circa 1966, particularly on a cover of
Barry McGuire
's
"Eve of Destruction,"
a song whose message was certainly lost on its audience by 1984. A version of
the Hooters
'
"Blood from a Stone"
was more apropos, protesting against taxation and economic stagnation. Of the original songs, nothing here quite measures up to
"China,"
but a few tunes are noteworthy.
"Shades of '45"
offers a unique view of World War II -- from the cockpit of the Enola Gay -- a subject rarely broached in
pop
music. Sonically,
"Burning Bridges"
recalls
Revolver
-era
Beatles
with its lock-step drumming and
psychedelic
vocal effects. The gorgeous harmonies of
"Good Thing I Know Her"
reinforce the
Byrds
comparison. The remaining tunes are musically pleasant, but a bit thin lyrically. Surprisingly, after consecutive solid efforts
disbanded, leaving one to wonder which direction they would have turned. ~ J.P. Ollio