Graham Parker always was a pessimistic, pissed-off type, but somehow his records with The Rumour managed to transcend mere bile to take on a heroic Springsteen/Costello-esque quality. Acid Bubblegum (Essential/Castle) - released in the US last year - is every bit as belligerent, but heroics are thin on the ground. Despite epic-rock references (Desire-era Dylan on Beancounter, Dire Straits on Milk Train, E.C.'s Watching The Detectives on Girl At The End Of The Pier) and fine musicianship (Rumours' Andy Bodner is joined by Jimmy Destri of Blondie and Joe Jackson drummer Gary Burke) the result's pretty negative.
Sylvie Simmons
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