The title and diabolical cover art are not the only things amiss here. Twenty years’ ago, after three wonderful albums that went unnoticed save by the French, Cock Robin walked away with dignity. Following a slew of equally good solo discs from front man Peter Kingsbery, they reformed in 2006, releasing their fourth album I Don’t Want to Save the World and it’s that tour which produced this, their first live outing.
The choice of material is reasonable covering the main hits and album tracks from all four records as well as renditions of solo Kingsbery material and an early b-side ‘Open Book’ re-recorded and duly spruced for the occasion. The problem is that while the studio versions of these songs remain strong, here they sound like a band in rehearsal, or they’re playing to an empty room with a lot of echo.
Of the bigger hits ‘The Promise You Made’ is recognisable but while the studio version from the mid 80s was a sparkling newborn and perhaps not stretching things too far to say one of the best love songs of its era, if not ever. Here it parades around like a dirty 25 year old ageing badly and in need of some TLC!
Back in the day the question ‘Who killed Cock Robin?’ might have been answered with Colombia Records; it now seems they are intent on killing themselves. For the uninitiated, try a best of - this live affair is like watching a former childhood sweetheart dance naked on tables and it ain’t pretty.
The choice of material is reasonable covering the main hits and album tracks from all four records as well as renditions of solo Kingsbery material and an early b-side ‘Open Book’ re-recorded and duly spruced for the occasion. The problem is that while the studio versions of these songs remain strong, here they sound like a band in rehearsal, or they’re playing to an empty room with a lot of echo.
Of the bigger hits ‘The Promise You Made’ is recognisable but while the studio version from the mid 80s was a sparkling newborn and perhaps not stretching things too far to say one of the best love songs of its era, if not ever. Here it parades around like a dirty 25 year old ageing badly and in need of some TLC!
Back in the day the question ‘Who killed Cock Robin?’ might have been answered with Colombia Records; it now seems they are intent on killing themselves. For the uninitiated, try a best of - this live affair is like watching a former childhood sweetheart dance naked on tables and it ain’t pretty.