LISTEN NOW

801 is sort of the continuation of Quiet Sun (as the continnuing collab between Manzanera and MacCormick) but this album does not reach the knee level of QS's Mainstream. A star- studded guest list including 10CC members , Mel Collins , Eno , Monkman does not add much since their contributions are not determining.

We are dealing with a sort poppish prog very typical of those years (second half of the 70's) somewhere between Steely Dan and early Alan Parsons Project. As you see, nothing groundbreaking , pleasant enough for background music , but maddeningly shallow for deep investigations. The four tracks on side 1 are your average run-of-the-mill rock but as opposed to Quiet Sun , a real lack of energy is evident mostly due to the guitars (or lack of it, although still present , Manzanera is subdued , his superb fuzzy guitar in QS'S Mainstream being completely gone), and very conventional songwriting. Most of thhe tracks where Dave Mattacks (Fairport Convention and 80's Jethro Tull ) drums are rather irritating for I always disliked his drumming. Thankfully , Simon Phillips handles half the tracks and his feeling is so much classier , a lot more feeling and inventiveness being the difference.

Things get a much better start on side 2 with the small Que? instrumental linked to a lenghty City of Light , mostly instrumental and followed by the best track of the album Initial Speed. Unfortunately , the last two tracks return to the first side calibre, giving you a non-satisfied hunger feeling.

Not the best album to pick if you want to discover MacCormick groovy bass lines of Manzanera's superb and inventive guitars.

Social review comments

Review related links

• Send comments to Sean Trane
• Report this review (#42205)
• Buy 801 music online with PA partners
• Show all 801 MP3/Stream
• Go to 801 page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Listen Now page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for 801 related discussions