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"I've heard some pretty good songs in my time and, with 48 years experience, I can honestly say this CD brought me more pleasure than any other CD I've heard in years - an absolute CD collectors 'must buy'."
"Peter Rechter has waited half a lifetime to register his claim as a world class craftsman of pop songs. Hopefully his 'Time Will Come' may prove to be prophetic."
"Rechter says he has more original material ready to go so I am looking forward to hearing the next album if it's as good as this."
"Anyone interested in sixties pop brought up to date for the 'noughties' would do well to pick up this CD release."
"Rechter's songwriting remains deeply influenced by the sound of the 60's. The Secrets have kept this spirit alive with integrity and ingenuity - not bad for blokes who could have been expected to kick the habit years ago and remain elusive cult figures."
"All in all, I can safely say that this is one of the best albums I've listened to so far this year."
Brief excerpts from reviews written by some of Australia's most authorative rock'n roll voices all raving about The Secrets CD "Time Will Come". Stan and Billy have ,collectively, over 90 years experience as DJ's. Chris is one of Australia's keenest researchers into Aussie rock and pop, having compiled four editions of the "Who's Who of Australian Rock". Ian's most recent work is "The Encyclopedia Of Australian Rock And Pop". Keith played in Campact, a seminal 60's band. He went on to form Missing Link Records. Robert Hazelby looks after The Madness Information Service. To read their reviews in full click on their names.
Unsolicited emails Brief excerpts from emails received from all over the world. You may recognise some of the writers. To read their emails in full click on the underlined names "An OUTSTANDING combination of true sixties-roots and modern arrangements of pure, honest rock!" Peter Kaschel,, Germany "The reworkings of Claudette Jones and Time Will Come were outstanding!" Dan Angott, USA "It's been a pleasure listening to the CD's! My wife kind of nailed it in her description of your music, fresh yet familiar." Keith Buckley, USA "THE SECRETS "Time will come" Here you got dinosaurs of music into Oz scene. Imagine a mixture between THE KINKS and THE CARS. Highly recommended!!" Jose Magno, Spain "It's an honour to hear from you, especially because "Time Will Come" is one of my all time favourite 60's songs!" Dinos Mekios,, USA "I have to say I'm pretty impressed. The first thing that stood out to me was the "big" production sound. It all sounds very clear and LOUD" Mark Butchko, USA "In "It's a cave in", Claudette Jones was one of my best fave song, and The Secrets CD is better than I expected ! It's amazing like riding time machine!" Hitomi I, Japan "I believe "Time Will Come" to be a classic (and I LOVED the video clip). I also am very high on "Claudette Jones"" Mike Dugo, USA "I heard your album and was totally knocked out" Lee Zimmerman, USA "I have it in my cd player in my car " Peter Noone - Herman's Hermits "It's a great job! I really like your band" MASS, Italy "Congratulations. It`s a really good album and great to hear real instruments with only a small amount of synth without overpowering it." Frank Allen - The Searchers "This is very cool stuff. Long may you run, Sir Peter!" Eric Sorenson, USA "'Time Will Come' which certainly deserves its reputation as a classic. It's a killer track! I recognize the qualities of the Secrets--good songs with fine hooks." Peter Scion, Sweden "Spanning 30+ years will certainly add diversity to a collection of songs. I hear all that and some terrific songs and nice production." Bobby Vee, USA ""Claudette Jones" is a killer track!" Mike Stax, USA "This is an ultimate collectorâs item! . Lead by Peter Rechter, an unsung pop super-hero." Goran Obradovic, Yugoslavia ."I found out about THE SECRETS CD through my friend Goran Obradovic who got it from you and I just LOVE it !!!!!!!!! It is absolutely amazing and wonderful and one of the best CD I've heard this year !!!!" Mihailo Vasovic, Yugoslavia "Too many power pop bands concentrate on their craft and worry about its form and trappings so much that they lose sight of their purpose - kick ass music. For some reason, Australian bands rarely make that mistake. The Secrets sure don't." John Butland, USA ""Time Will Come" is without a doubt one of the best psychedelic rock songs ever. And that's the truth, brother!" Brian Parrish, USA "I must praise you on your music. Wow! I wasn't familiar with your recordings until now and I must admit I am blown away and have been playing the daylights out of both discs. Top-flight stuff all the way." Beverly Patterson, USA "an album that rocks, an album in where you can hear the desire to go back to the golden decade of the 60's but without the danger of becoming a copy of their own glory like so many other old heroes are sounding like!" Didier Becu, Belgium
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My name is Peter Kaschel, and I would like to try to comment THE SECRETS's CD "Time will come". The only problem: I am german and my english is terrible though my wife is english (but she wouldn't help me ;-) ). I got to know the brillant, innovativ musician Peter Rechter via internet: He read a comment of mine on the website of "Gerry and the Pacemakers", a world famous Liverpudlian Mersey Beat-group - still going strong (You'll never walk alone!). We are often in England because of my english wife, and those trips include, of course, a pilgrimage to Liverpool and a "Ferry 'cross the Mersey". This autumn we have just come back from Scotland where it is always my "duty" to visit the beautiful island Kintyre, world famous thanks of Paul McCartney's song "Mull of Kintyre". Well, I think Peter and his partner Graham McCoy created a great kind of music! When Peter told me he would send me their newest CD I was a bit worried! Me! An absolute fan of the roaring sixties, grown up with the short life of Buddy Holly, The Fab Four (I enjoyed them live (!) about 15 times - but that is another story), Kinks, Who, Hollies, Beach Boys, Jefferson Airplane, CCR ... me - a child of the flower power- and Woodstock-generation, born in 1944 and "born to be wild". The CD arrived in Germany and I curiously listened to it! I was surprised! No "millenium-synth-orgy", as I know it from so many groups, but an OUTSTANDING combination of true sixties-roots and modern arrangements of pure, honest rock! What a fantastic symbiosis of rock music all throughout the last four decades! I like very much the instrumental parts, but even more the clear, harmonic vocals. When I still get a goose flesh after forty years of rock music, then this should be the best sign of music of highest quality!! Don't pick out any special song - such as "Claudette Jones", "Good Times, Bad Times" or "Time will come"! Relax and enjoy the complete masterpiece! It's really great! It must have caused ever so much work! It's worth it!!! Thank you, Peter and Graham!!! Peter Kaschel, Germany, co-author of three books about the history and sociology of rock music, time-witness of the Beatles whole career, bandmanager, organizer of rock music concerts, co-founder of Deutscher Rockmusikerverband (= union of german rockmusicians), according to the press "the german beat-pope"?, high school teacher. Peter Kaschel
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It's an honour to hear from you, especially because "Time Will Come" is one of my all time favourite 60's songs! (in general, not just from Australia!). And "Social Cell", the only other Tol Puddle Martyrs track that I've heard, is amazing, too! I've played both of these on the radio show that I'm doing here in Boston on WHRB 95.3FM (Harvard's radio station; broadcast live through the internet at www.whrb.org) but I was always wandering if there was more recorded stuff by the band. So it is very exciting to hear that there is a whole CD with Tol Puddle Martyrs recordings! Dinos Mekios |
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FURTHER OBSERVATIONS FROM A JANGLY MUSIC FAN - www.fufkin.com Signs of spring are everywhere ... and this means that new discs will have to be played on the portable CD player that I listen to while I relax outside on my backyard deck. It's tough to beat the combination of warm, sunny weather and pop music! Here is my rundown of some of the jangly (and not so jangly) discs that captured my fancy during the month of March: Time Will Come by the Australian band, the Secrets. The song (and video) contents of this interactive disc cover three and a half decades of pop music (psych-pop, baroque pop, quirky pop, Mersey-influenced pop), as penned and performed by the talented Peter Rechter (and changing band mates). This is very cool stuff, and you can learn more about the artist and the music by visiting www.secretdeals.com.au. Long may you run, Sir Peter! Until next month, jangle on ... and/or keep on rockin' in the free world! Eric Sorensen
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This is an ultimate collector's item! As it's appropriately shown on the cover, The Secrets carry us through the secrets of down-under time travelling, along the contemporary sounding vintage tunes and vintage sounding contemporary tunes as well as some out of time classics. Lead by Peter Rechter, an unsung pop super-hero, they started life on the new waves of the eighties skinny tied power pop sounds, released an EP and disappeared into obscurity. Now Peter is back with an overview of his entire career re-visiting some of his 60s/80s memories and a couple of brand new ear candies. In my personal opinion, the original sixteez versions of the Peter & The Silhouettes "easybeat" of "Claudette Jones" and The Tol-Puddle Martyrs popsyke "Time will come" are simply unbeatable, but what makes this album more than worthwhile are Rechter's nuggets like "I'm not cryin' " or "Think about the boy" that can be "squeezed" into any of the '80s pop LP masterpieces or the Lowe-ish interpretation of the Mersey-wet country of "All the way". It was about time for these secrets to be unveiled! Goran Obradovic
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The Secrets - Time Will Come - Secret Deals Too many power pop bands concentrate on their craft and worry about its form and trappings so much that they lose sight of their purpose - kick ass music. For some reason, Australian bands rarely make that mistake. The Secrets sure don't. Time Will Come opens with one of the best 1-2 punches in a long, long time. "Claudette Jones" is a blistering garage-tinged rocker and "Good Times/Bad Times" sounds like an Everly Brothers/Buddy Holly collaboration, complete with perfectly corny handclaps. "Think About The Boy" is an irresistible bubblegum/ska hybrid. These boys - actually just a pair, but sounding like a full fledged band - have got hooks up the ying yang and manage to take pop elements from rock's prehistory right up through the 80's synth band heyday and mate them to classic pop songs that sound both familiar and brand new. The only less than wonderful track is the Carsy sounding "Feel Pretty Good." They even manage to make the sitar-powered pysch of the title track work. There are a handful of archival hidden bonus tracks. An early version of "Claudette Jones" from 1966 demonstrates the honesty of its garage roots. Another pair of tracks is also present in early versions, dating from 1967 and the early 80s. John F. Butland
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Jump, Jive, and Harmonize By Beverly Paterson (Staff Writer) Lance Records- CD Album Reviews - "Forever lodged in your brain these songs will be!" "Tol-Puddle Martyrs" - Tol-Puddle Martyrs Australia gave birth to loads of great bands during the sixties, but the reason why so much of the rest of the world wasn't introduced to their charms was because their records simply didn't receive widespread promotion and distribution. However, thanks to reissues and the Internet, a lot of these criminally overlooked bands are now getting the attention and acclaim they deserve. Although their music may not be played on the radio and the majority of acts are of course no longer active, at least their work is readily available to those who appreciate and collect such sounds. Which brings us to Tol-Puddle Martyrs . . . Starting out life as Peter and the Silhouttes, these happening cats kicked off their career in 1965 and a year later they unveiled a single called "Claudette Jones," which can be heard on "Tol-Puddle Martyrs." An aggressive rocker sporting a deadly vocal and a hook to slit your wrists for, "Claudette Jones" reminds me of a prime Pretty Things pounder, due to its insistently driving beat and hard-edged bluesy approach. When Peter and the Silhouttes changed their name to Tol-Puddle Martyrs, they also altered their style a bit, spicing their material with a groovy paisley fragrance. Released in 1967, "Time Will Come" features a round of cynical lyrics addressing the turbulent mood of the day and carries a rather haunting pitch that slashes right through your psyche. The vocal delivery on the tune is strong and convincing, while the taut instrumentation really locks it all together. The flip side of "Time Will Come" is just as effective. "Social Cell" boasts a catchy melody similar to Johnny Rivers' "Secret Agent Man," and like "Time Will Come," the tune is charted of thoughtful verse that finely captures band leader Peter Rechert's flair for writing top-flight observations. It should also be noted that Tol-Puddle Martyrs were a fantastic pop band. Their music does indeed flash plenty of commercial appeal, making the tracks on the CD the kind of stuff you won't soon forget. Forever lodged in your brain these songs will be! The band's pop influence is especially evident on a single they issued in 1968, as the whimsical "Love Your Life" flickers with dapper Kinks aspirations. Smart arrangements and a sincere passion for the music, they performed are additional assets to be found in the recordings of Tol-Puddle Martyrs. Totally excellent tunes fromyet another totally excellent sixties band from Australia! . . . . . . . . "Time Will Come" - the Secrets This CD is an essential companion to "Tol-Puddle Martyrs," as Peter Rechert was one-half of the Secrets, which also starred Graham McCoy. The music of the Secrets serves to be a natural extension of what Tol-Puddle Martyrs were known for, meaning their missives are emphasized by heart, soul and radio-friendly motions by the mile. Considering these cuts were recorded between the years 1977 and 1983, the sound and overall execution arguably differs from what Tol-Puddle Martyrs were laying down, but before you sixties obsessives jump to conclusions because you feel anything created after "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" was released and the rock community turned serious and progressive isn't worth listening to, read on . . . In a nutshell, "Time Will Come" is a banner repertoire of new wave oriented rock and roll, with a healthy shot of pop flavored punk spunk thrown into the cuisine for good measure. Each and every song on the disc is ridiculously contagious, sparked by hooks impossible to shake and a continuously festive vibe. If you count artists such as vintage Elvis Costello, the Jags, the Records, Squeeze and Nick Lowe among special favorites, then you're sure to fall head over heels in love with the Secrets. As is the situation with all musical trends, there are shameless pretenders, but that definitely doesn't apply to the Secrets. These guys already had the spriti running their blood. Choppy rhythms, clipped Merseybeat splashed vocals and ringing guitars accent the numbers on "Time Will Come," so what is there not to dig about the record? The Secrets perform cleverly crafted, pop rock magic, dripping with skinny tie and checkered tennis shoes sensations that actually remain ageless. And the playing is as frisky as a young kitten! Great music to dance to while singing along with, that is for sure. "Time Will Come" also includes a Video Time Caspule, so slip it into your computer to experiencean extra bout of joy! http://www.secretdeals.com.au/History.html Beverly Paterson
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THE SECRETS Time will come (CD)(Own Release) There is a whole history behind it and for that you have to go back to the Australian rockscene of the 60's as then there was a band called Peter And The Silhouettes but even if the band never got the big success all bands are dreaming of, frontman Peter Rechter never sat still and recently he recorded with his latest outfit, The Secrets, an album that even got the attention from one of the last living legends of the 50's rock scene, Bobby Vee. "Time Will Come" is the sort of record in where old shaped rockers (cos with such a curriculum vitae that's what they are!) found a perfect link to the current musicstyle and "Time Will Come" is an album that rocks, an album in where you can hear the desire to go back to the golden decade of the 60's but without the danger of becoming a copy of their own glory like so many other old heroes are sounding like! Good album that can live without the hipness but one that is build upon craftship! Didier Becu |
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Chris Spencer is one of Australia's keenest researchers into Aussie rock and pop, having compiled four editions of the "Who's Who of Australian Rock". He also maintains an archive of Australian recordings and Australian music papers. As well as researching all Australian music papers, he is compiling an index of articles about Australian bands, called the Australian Music Magazine Index. In his spare time he writes the occasional review and article, as well as publish discographies listing every Australian release since 1956 and books about Australian artists. For a copy of the current catalogue, write to PO Box 5, Golden Square, VIC. 3555 |
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THE SECRETS - Time Will Come 10 tr cd Secret Deals SD 001 A great new cd has been released by The Secrets. This group is mainly an outlet for singer songwriter Peter Rechter. In the mid sixties, he fronted two Bendigo bands: Peter and the Silhouettes who later became The Tol-Puddle Martyrs. They were among the few rural bands to be fortunate to have recorded. The Silhouttes's songs were released on a compilation album that proved difficult to find until re-issued on cd recently. Many writers felt their two songs, which were a bit more upbeat and raunchy, were the stand-out songs on the collection of otherwise pop ballads and instrumentals, making their contributions highly desirable. The Tol-Puddle Martyrs recorded two singles before breaking up. The band were well regarded in Bendigo and were able to attract large crowds to the dances where they played. Rechter continued his musical career in Melbourne in a band called The Secrets, while he worked as music teacher in schools. The Secrets were not as confronting nor as exciting as his previous bands, but it allowed him an outlet to play his sixties inflected material. On this new cd, by which time the Secrets are down to a duo of Rechter and Graham McCoy, Rechter has re-recorded four songs from his previous catalog - making some of these almost impossible songs available again. He has included three songs as film clips of the Tol-Puddle Martyrs and the Secrets (which run on most computers with the appropriate software). The Secrets' cd kicks off with a re-working of the Silhouettes' classic, Claudette Jones. It's a great driving, riffy opener and proves a good song remains a good song no matter what arrangement it's given. Good Times / Bad Times is more representative of the material on this cd. Infectious, melodic, tuneful almost boppy - more of a ballad than a rocker. In most cases Rechter's voice is up front with the interesting arrangements pumpin' away underneath. Feel Pretty Good has another infectious repetitive chorus highlighting the duo's ability to write new songs in the mould of sixties' classics. I'm Not Crying makes use of an organ in the arrangement and with the vocals being doubled tracked, this medium paced ballad, works well. Think About the Boy kicks off with brass which matches the punchy beat and a phased vocal helps the song sound different to the rest of the album. Of the remaining tracks, SOS is a re-working of a Secrets' track Woman and uses a trumpet in an interesting arrangement. Then there's the smooth, dreamy Catch Me and the delightful, Don't Let Go, which is given a fifties' rock and roll treatment that works well. The final track, Time Will Come - a re-working of the Martyrs song is given an unusual but innovative arrangement, that harks back to the soundtrack of a television program from the "60s. Think James Bond or the Avengers. It's sound has been beefed up with electric guitars, dinky organ and driving drums. Although the album is recorded using modern technology, mainly on computers, this is not obvious on repeated listenings. Whereas some recordings done through computers sound thin and electronic, this cd's production is dense and full. Rechter voice is well suited to the material on this album. Rechter says he has more original material ready to go so I am looking forward to hearing the next album if it's as good as this. rating: 8/10. Chris Spencer See the review as it appeared in "Collectormania" by clicking here
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Keith Glass played in Campact, a seminal 60's band. He went on to form Missing Link Records and performs Country and Western Music |
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60's Martyrs Time Has Come Peter Rechter confesses to the 1960's being the most exciting period of his life. What's more he actually remembers significant events, giving lie to the axiom "if you remember the 60's you weren't there". As a member of Bendigo's top band of the era, The Tol-Puddle Martyrs, he was in the thick of it and the group remain one of those "could have - should have" outfits that showed a great degree of originality on their extremely rare single releases. So what to do when you still write songs and want to celebrate your past and look to the future as well? "The Secrets" which is Rechter and musical partner Graham McCoy, have come up with a nifty answer. Re-record a few classic songs the way they should have sounded if you could have turned your amps up and guitar tuners had have been invented, write some new material that has a spiritual connection to the music you still love and package the CD as a "time capsule" complete with archival songs and video component. The result is "Time Will Come" by The Secrets and an intriguing package it is with a front cover telephone booth shot suggesting the time travel capabilities of Dr Who (okay fans of the television show - we know that the Tardis was a police box) or maybe the film "Bill and Ted's Excellent Adventure". The Secrets sound better than the latter's group "Wild Stallion" but don't cover the good Doctor's fab theme. They go their own way with some snappy power pop songs and remakes of T-P originals "Claudette Jones" and the prophetic title track "Time Will Come". The purchaser has the interactive fun of skipping on 20 minutes and 6 seconds from the "official" final track to sample their previous incantations as Peter & The Silhouettes (1966), The Tol-Puddle Martyrs (1967) and skinny-tie band The Secrets (1982/3). Stick the CD in your computer to watch video grabs from both periods as well. They remain" The Secrets" and mostly still are a secret but no less an authority than legendary DJ Stan "The Man" Rofe has declared the album the best Australian CD he has heard in years. There is even more info available on-line at www.secretdeals.com.au and The Secrets are launching the package at a gig in Bendigo on March 25th. Rechter's songwriting remains deeply influenced by the sound of the 60's. The Secrets have kept this spirit alive with integrity and ingenuity - not bad for a bloke who could have been expected to kick the habit years ago and remain an elusive cult figure. Ahh yes, The Tol-Puddle Martyrs they must be good - they disappeared into time and relative dimensions in space (Tardis). Keith Glass See the review as it appeared in the Herald Sun by clicking here
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Billy Pinnell has just clocked up 42 years as a DJ on many of Melbourne's top rating radio stations. |
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The Secrets "Time Will Come" Prolific is definitely not a term you associate with Melbourne composer/musician Peter Rechter and his band The Secrets have recently released their debut album 'Time Will Come' 21 years after its predecessor, a 4-track EP 'Secrets Songs'. Rechter's career as a first rate pop songwriter goes back even further to 1966 and a cult band The Tol-Puddle Martyrs who came out of Bendigo to make a name for themselves in the big smoke performing regularly as a quintet doing original material and playing back up for singers that included Ronnie Bums & Frankie Davidson. When nothing happened on the charts with 2 single releases, Rechter broke up the band and didn't resurface until a decade later with the original line up of The Secrets. Now we fast-forward to 2001 and the new album from The Secrets, currently a duo with Rechter and musician friend Graham McCoy, a music teacher (he taught Rechter's son) who provides guitar and shared arrangements, as well as songwriting duties on 2 songs. 'Time Will Come' is a collection of Rechter's music covering over 35 years of writing and performing. The project took 2 years to complete and consists of 10 new songs plus "Time Capsules" with 4 old tracks and 3 video clips. Rechter's talent as a writer of commercial pop songs is comparable to many of the British songwriters like Graham Gouldman, Roger Cook, Roger Greenaway, Alan Blakely, Chip Hawkes & Geoff Stephens who penned countless hits in the 60's for dozens of UK acts. When you hear The Secrets "I'm Not Crying" think Peter & Gordon. "Catch Me" could have been a hit for Cliff Richard, Herman's Hermits would have killed for "Good Times/Bad Times" while "All The Way" with its catchy harmonica fills is a song Gilbert O'Sullivan would have been proud to have had his name next to as composer. Maintaining his pop sensibilities Rechter has come up with 2 brilliant Ska songs "Think About The Boy" & the punchy, up-tempo "S.O.S" both resplendent with brassy arrangements that bands' like Madness could have taken into the Top 10. Add to these a rockabilly track "Don't Let Go" (not Roy Hamilton's) that would have sat comfortably with a band like The Sports and the psychedelic "Time Will Come", complete with Farfisa organ, sitar and spacey guitar, that may stir an acid traveller to contemplate a revisit to his Ultimate Spinach and Strawberry Alarm Clock album collection. Then there's the "Audio Time Capsule" with a mid-60's version of Claudette Jones- another pop/rock gem, The Tol-Puddle Martyrs 1967 recording of "Time Will Come" and 2 Tracks from the 1982 Secrets EP, "Woman" & "Feel Pretty Good". All of these songs have now been revived by The Secrets circa 2001 with "Woman" now being called "S.O.S". To access the Audio Time Capsule. which is a hidden track. you need to fast-forward track 10 to 20:06 (1966!) on your CD player. To view the 3 videos just place the CD into your computer and go through the normal process. The Video Time Capsule, featuring The Tol-Puddle Martyrs circa 1968, is the first time any of these clips have been available to the general public. Peter Rechter has waited half a lifetime to register his claim as a world class craftsman of pop songs. Hopefully his 'Time Will Come' may prove to be prophetic. Billy Pinnell
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Robert Hazelby looks after The Madness Information Service http://www.jabba.demon.co.uk/mis/ |
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A British perspective of "Time Will Come" A few weeks back I received an e-mail from a Peter Rechter, an Australian who plays in a Melbourne based group by the name of `The Secrets`. Here's a snippet from Peter's e-mail; "The Secrets have just recently released a CD titled "Time Will Come". We have sent copies of the CD to the most respected authorities of Pop / Rock in Australia and received rave reviews from them all . Billy Pinnell , a legendary DJ / Guru of Pop / Rock in this country compares my writing to : Graham Gouldman, Roger Cook, Roger Greenway, Alan Blakely, Chips Hawkes & Geoff Stephens and states; "Rechter has come up with 2 brilliant Ska songs "Think About The Boy" & the punchy up - tempo "S.O.S." both resplendentÊ with brassy arrangements that bands like Madness could have taken into the Top 10 ". Naturally, with the references to Madness, I was interested in hearing more, so paid a visit to the official Secrets site at: www.secretdeals.com.au and downloaded a few of the album snippets for a further listen. I was not disappointed, and got back in touch with Peter requesting further information. A week or so later two CD's arrived on my doormat, one for review purposes, and one for sending on to Madness for them to have a listen to as Peter was keen to learn what the band thought to his recent production. The CD for the band went off in the following day's post, whilst the review copy went straight into my CD player and has hardly been out since. The disc features 10 tracks as well as a selection of hidden goodies and video-clips which can be viewed on your PC or Mac. CLAUDETTE JONES - Track ones crashes onto your CD player, featuring some fantastic guitar work, and is quite unlike anything else on the album! Think heavy 1950's rock and roll. GOOD TIMES BAD TIMES - A really great song. You could imagine Madness doing this around the time of the `Mad Not Mad` or `The Madness` albums, such is it's sound. FEEL PRETTY GOOD - One which one definitely appeal to those of you who are into Squeeze as it's very similar in style to much of their work. I'M NOT CRYIN` - Would be a nice song for Suggs to cover if he ever decides to release another solo album or single. Nice hammond organ in the background make this a really great track. THINK ABOUT THE BOY - What can I say? One of the highlights of the album. Would certainly appeal to the majority of the Madness fanbase. A real up-beat track featuring some truly brilliant brass backing and some synthesised voices which hark back to something from the 1980's. Great stuff! ALL THE WAY - Starts off with a really dreamy harmonica intro - You're just waiting for the Housemartins to start singing! Very Country and Western. If you're unsure of it on your first listen, give it a few more plays. It's a grower. CATCH ME - Features some great strings in the background. A nice dreamy song. I think this would have been better placed at the end of the CD as it would make a nice rounding off to the album. S.O.S - If you're planning to visit The Secrets website, make sure this is one of the first samples you listen to. A real ska-influenced track with some excellent brass, and a real get-up-and-dance tempo. A Madness cover of this would certainly be very interesting to hear! DON'T LET GO - A hop back to the 1950's with this track. Like track 1, `Claudette Jones`, think 50's rock and roll, and you get the idea. TIME WILL COME - Quite why this is at the end of the album is anyone's guess. In my opinion this should be right at the front, kicking the album off with a bang. As Chris Spencer rightly says in his review, "Think James Bond or The Avengers". It really could be on some film soundtrack. All in all, I can safely say that this is one of the best albums I've listened to so far this year. If you're only into Madness and ska, then this probably won't appeal to you. However, if as well as Madness you rate the excellent `Squeeze`, you may want to add this gem to your collection! Robert Hazelby
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