ReviewHailed as his return to rock, this record seemed to get more exposure than Nesmith had enjoyed in almost a decade. While “From A Radio Engine To A Photon Wing”, his previous entry, still had a few vague references to country this one is almost straight ahead pop/rock. (By now I was beginning to get a little irritated with his long winded LP titles.) The irony on this record, to me, is that it is by far his most accessible LP, yet for him it is easily his most unusual recording. He shows off an amazing versatility with a mix and match of different styles. On the uptempo numbers like the opening track “Dance”, “Horserace” and “Cruisin’ (Lucy and Ramona and Sunset Sam)”, the single, he seems to try hard to sound like a rocker but ultimately his voice just isn’t up to it. Far better are the ballads like “Carioca” “Light” and “Flying”. Another ballad, “Magic” is sung almost totally in falsetto and is a very impressive performance, one of the high points of the LP but the song itself sounds musically quite a bit
like “When A Man Loves A Woman”. The final track “Capsule” is also a nice almost jazzy piece and like nothing he has ever done before to my recollection. If Michael Nesmith ever had thoughts of moving into the mainstream of popular music, this would have been the LP to do it. The good news is that the playing is superb. Someone in a previous review panned this record for being “over produced” and that is a very fair criticism. Back in 1980 it wasn’t so noticeable to me but today it sticks out like a sore thumb. A few short years ago I would have given this five stars but revisionism reigns supreme. A fine performance by all and possibly a good starting point for those not familiar with his work.
With a nod to original uploader themp3dj, have added more complete front cover, including white border edge. Also added back cover, inner sleeve and label images.
This was one of Nez's most successful solo LP, charting at #151 on Billboard. Two singles were released from the album ("Magic" and "Cruisin'", but neither charted. This is still a very enjoyable album and "Cruisin'" may be better known from it's video as "Lucy And Ramona And Sunset Sam" which got pretty heavy airplay (at least in So Cal). By the way, is that Father Guido Sarducci with his back to the camera over Nesmith's left shoulder? LOL