When The
Rumour formed in 1975, they were looked on as a type of ‘Pub Rock
Supergroup', as they featured several veterans from that scene. Bob
Andrews (keyboards/vocals) and Brinsley Schwarz (guitar/vocals) were
previously with the legendary band, Brinsley Schwarz. Martin Belmont
(guitar/vocals) came from Ducks Deluxe, and Steve Goulding
(drums/vocals) and Andrew Bodnar (bass) from Bontemps Roulez.
Though perhaps best remembered as the backing band for Graham Parker
during his late ‘70s heyday, The Rumour actually released 3 albums under
their own name, between 1977 & 1980. They also worked extensively as a
house band for Stiff Records, and backed Elvis Costello on ‘Watching the
Detectives'.
The Rumour's debut album, MAX, produced by Mutt Lange, is now reissued
here on CD for the first time. The band's loose, jamming style flits
comfortably between roots rock, country, pop & reggae and the album
still sounds incredibly fresh today, 30 years after it was recorded.
Included amongst the original titles are a few cover songs, including
Nick Lowe's ‘Mess With Love' (a song he wouldn't get around to recording
himself until his 1982 ‘Abominable Showman' LP) and Duke Ellington's ‘Do
Nothing Till You Hear From Me'.
This album has now been digitally re-mastered. The accompanying CD
booklet features the original LP artwork and includes liner notes by The
Rumour's Steve Goulding, plus rare photographs from the band's own
archive and full lyrics to every track.
Trivia spot:
The title of this 1977 album was the band's punning response to
Fleetwood Mac's mega-selling LP of the same year.
1. Mess With Love (Lowe)
2. Hard Enough To Show (Rumour)
3. Do Nothing Till You Hear From Me (Ellington)
4. Jet Plane (Belmont/Tyla)
5. Looking After Number One (Rumour)
6. I'm Gonna Make You Love Me (Cosby/Hardaway/Moy/Wonder)
7. I'm So Glad (Rumour)
8. Face To Face (Rumour)
9. This Town (Rumour)
10. Somethin's Goin' On (Rumour)
