A MILLION VACATIONS

This would really be the first MAX WEBSTER album to have a theme to it, as we listen to lyrics about summer, the beach and vacations. As one of those "frost bitten canadian boys" I dream all winter about summer. Summer is our time to shine. I bought this on cassette back in 1979 mainly because of the song "Research (At Beach Resorts)" which mentions Wasaga Beach, the town (beach resort) I have lived in all my life. It was funny the first time l played this for my son, because when he heard Kim sing "Wasaga Beach" he couldn't believe it, he couldn't stop smiling. This would be more of a commercial sounding album for this band with less of that raw guitar sound. It works though because of how good these songs all are.

"Paradise Skies" has long been a favourite of mine. Both the vocals and guitar soar on this track. It's just an upbeat, feel good song. Cool guitar solo after 2 minutes. Nice contrast in this one with the uplifting chorus and the more aggressive verses. "Charmonium" is a Terry Watkinson song both lyrically and musically. He also sings the words.Go Terry ! Haha. This one opens with organ as guitar and drums come in. A very uptempo, feel good tune. Vocal melodies after 2 minutes are great, and we get a synth solo before 3 minutes. "Night Flights" still moves me to this day. Again it's like summer holiday music in the sun and sand for me. Kim sings about chasing the sun in this amazing song. Love the chorus. "Sun Voices" is a dreamy, lazy summertime track. I really like the atmosphere after a minute as his vocals soften. The guitar cries out before 4 1/2 minutes to the end of the song. Nice. "Moon Voices" opens with what sounds like xylophone and drums. Vocal melodies after 2 1/2 minutes.

"A Million Vacations" is a classic WEBSTER song about partying on the weekends. Some Zappa moments on this one too. Great track. "Look Out" features pulsating synths, pounding drums and prominant guitar that are contrasted with the lighter sections. This is such a good song. A synth solo before 3 minutes. Nice guitar 4 1/2 minutes in. "Let Go The Line" is the other Terry Watkinson track that he wrote the lyrics and music for, and sings the words too. This one was all over the radio back in those days. I like the lyrics on this one. "Rascal Houdi" is an uptempo,fun tune. "Research (At Beach Resorts)" reminds me of Zappa. This is a down and dirty, grind it out track about vacations on the beach. The guitar is raunchy and so are the lyrics. As for Wasaga Beach he says "Bonfire pits at midnight, hangover rhymes at sunrise six". Raw guitar follows that line, and it goes on and on. Kim then encourages us to "Put on the sunglasses, get in the parade, we're gonna cruise the beach, we might just get crazed !" Also love the line "Lineup crowds at the pavillion, MAX is playing "Vacations". I can tell you there have been many lineups to see MAX WEBSTER at Wasaga Beach back in those days.

So I do have a sentimental attachment to this album. It takes me back to the good old days with words and songs that are still relavent today.