November 6th, 2009 at 1:01 PM

Album review: The Alarm – ‘21′ (The Twenty First Century Recording Company)

The Alarm - 21The Alarm calls itself “the world’s most enduring rock & roll band” — and that may not be an exaggeration. Formed nearly three decades ago and influenced by the first wave of British punk, the Welsh group faced critical rejection but soldiered on to earn no fewer than 16 Top 50 singles in the U.K. After breaking up in 1991, members of The Alarm pursued solo careers and then reunited in 2004 to put one over on the industry that had chewed them up and spit them out: They recorded the single “45 R.P.M.” under an assumed name and then basked in the positive reviews it earned. That track, along with 21 others, make up 21, a best-of album collecting the cream of The Alarm’s 21st-century work. While a few tracks appear in their original versions, most are remixes (like “45 R.P.M.”) or entirely new recordings. Practically since their inception, the band has garnered U2 comparisons. You need look no further than album opener “All Seeing” to understand why. But their work is more varied, too, as the punky “Cease and Desist” and the scruffy drinking song “My Town” demonstrate. As for why the band never got nearly as big as U2, well…that’s anyone’s guess.

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By Judy Berman

Filed under LimeWire Store, Reviews

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Comments

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  1. November 6th, 2009 at 1:11 PM { # }

    Frank Deserto said:

    I might like the newer Alarm records more than the older ones. Either way, I definitely <3 them.

  2. November 6th, 2009 at 1:11 PM { # }

    Jon said:

    Technically the Alarm have not reformed. The new line-up includes the original lead singer (Mike Peters) but adds James Stevenson (ex Jean Loves Jezebel / Generation X etc…) Steve Grantley (ex Stiff Little Fingers) ahnd Craig Adams (ex Sisters of Mercy / The Mission).

    The new line-up have been together since aropund 2000 and therefore have been together nearly as long as the original line-up but they tend to write harder punkier sounds than the original band while also playing the original songs live.

    Given that Mike Peters has fought and so far beaten cancer twice the fact that he’s managed top have a successfull solo career and lead The Alarmn in two seperate incarnations this really is a testament to the spirit that keeps a man fighting when the odds are stacked against him.

    give these guys a listen and you won’t be disapointed!!!

March 14th, 2010 at 3:22 AM