Texas

April 3, 2008 | Filed Under Music |

texas.jpg

Let’s talk about summer music. I know it’s only April, but here in Kuwait it is about 80-85 in the afternoon and the dragon flies are out in the evening. So – summer.

Mother’s Heaven by Texas came out in 1991 and was all over most alterna-stations (amidst Pearl Jam and Nirvana) for a period of time. I’m guessing it was summer because this record has become a staple of my summer cruising tunes. Mother’s Heaven is a big record, with a big, bluesy roots rock sound. The drums are huge. The slide guitar ample. The production warm and deep yet moody around the edges. And the key was the gutsy vocals of Sharleen Spiteri. , alternately belting and seducing the song (and the lyrics were solid). Maybe it was too 80s U2 for the time, but songs like “Why Believe In Love”, “Beliefs” and the title track sounded great on the radio – then and now. A great American Rock release… which oddly came from a little Scottish band.

However, Texas never sounded like this again. This album yielded no singles in the UK so the record company paid for a stylist and remodeled the band. Soon, Ms. Spiteri appeared on the cover of every record in glamour shots (notice THIS cover). They pulled away from rock and headed straight for pop-R&B. [Honestly folks – there has GOT to be a moratorium on UK bands finding their inner Motown. They just sound plastic and dull.] But this strategy worked… in the UK. They had hit singles and songs on movie soundtracks. They were even mentioned by one David Brent on The Office. And Mother’s Heaven was forgotten. Not mentioned on fan sites. Not played in concert. Not a single song on any of their greatest hits records. Out of print.

A shame… because they never had this much soul again. If you see it in the cutout bin – grab it.

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2 comments so far
  1. Mike April 4, 2008 4:59 am

    It’s those “R & B” British bands that make that Jools Holland show on FUSE so unwatchable. They just sound like whiny, boring old women. But, I am actually excited…today I get to go buy two new releases I am actually looking forward to by bands I actually like…Flogging Molly and Anti-Flag. Jeez, will I ever grow up?? And we are having our normal April duck weather here, so 85 degrees sounds great, even with the dragon flies.

  2. mburma April 4, 2008 9:49 am

    Why do bands have to throw away everything that made them honest to get a hit single? (rhetorical question) Start with Style Council and move to Robbie Williams - The Brits CAN NOT do Motown.

    Good luck on your new purchases. I hope they don’t disappoint…