Max Webster

[surfndestroy]

Inspired by Liebzz, I thought I'd take my hand at reviewing Max Webster's discography.

Max Webster was a Canadian band that lasted from 1976 to 1981. They released 5 studio albums and a live album. It's album oriented rock that was allowed to be a little off beat and unique. They are Canadian to the bone. A quirky sense of humour is to be found, and really just taking an outsider's view into life with the occasional jaunt into sentimentality.

Largely forgotten now but essential listening in my books.

[surfndestroy]

Max Webster, the self-titled debut album. I hear lots off early Roxy Music, Frank Zappa, King Crimson and inspired arrangements. Everything a debut album should be, full of promise, passion and personality.

Hangover - A great song to kick off the album. A nice guitar riff and funny lyrics. "Double vision when the bars close down".

Here Among the Cats - This is maximum earlier Max Webster. If you like this song, you will love Max. It probably will take a few listens to get.

Blowing the Blues Away - The other side of the band. A little mellower without losing the essence of the band.

Summer Turning Blue - Not their strongest song. It still has some nice acoustic guitar flourishes. They would get better at this kind of song as the grew as a band.

Toronto Tontos - I believe it was because of songs like this that Frank Zappa was a huge fan. It's a little out there but absolutely enjoyable.

Coming Off the Moon - It opens with a beautiful guitar line and just goes on from there. It gets a little quirky and doesn't have the greatest chorus but then the song just picks up again.

Only Your Nose Knows - A nice little upbeat song.

Summer's Up - The softer side of the band again. The kill this type song without making it pop.

Lily - The album closer and one of their weaker songs.

A nice debut album overall but lacking a little in the depth tracks. Very Canadian and very unique.

[surfndestroy]

High Class In Borrowed Shoes, a sophomore album that exceeds all expectations. Everything is improved over the first album. The rock songs just are just a little more cohesive while maintaining their Max vibe. I never know if the lyrics have much meaning but there are lots of great lines. This album is held in very high regard by fans. Not really a weak moment on it.

High Class In Borrowed Shoes - A great song that's built around the guitar riff. A nice guitar solo with a beautiful, ringing ending note, reminiscent of Neil Young.

Diamonds, Diamonds - A nice ballad. It is Max so even a pretty ballad has lines like "She takes more whiskey than I wine."

Gravity - Damn I love this song. Quintessential Max. The marriage of keyboards and the guitar line is great.

Words To Words - The softer side again. Some nice acoustic guitar, augmented by a sparse piano arrangement.

America's Veins - A great little rocker. Kim Mitchell's guitar playing should be held in much higher esteem than it is. He has some great lines and runs. His tone is quite often a forerunner to future guitar shredders. Has one of my favourite synth solos of all time, a fun little break.

Oh War! - A little heavy but never overbearing. Possibly the best guitar song in the catalogue.

On The Road - This song is right up there with Wiser Time and Turn The Page for what I imagine being on the road is like. An acoustic track with great lyrics.

Rain Child - Probably the weakest song on the album and that informs you what a strong album it is. Made to be consumed in the summer, out in nature. A beer in one hand and a smoke in the other.

In Context of the Moon - I wouldn't be surprised if this was a leftover or an idea from their first album. It's an oddball number that works. A beautiful, short and casual guitar solo that is followed by something a little more technical yet fluid solo.

While I enjoy the first album, this is light years ahead. Not a weak track on it and still sounds like they are songs that could only be written and performed by Max Webster. That's the bands real strength with their arrangements, they are uniquely their own entity.

[surfndestroy]

Mutiny Up My Sleeve, in my opinion their best album. The highs on this album surpass anything in the past and the lows are getting better. Their keyboardist contributed a couple songs, expanding the pallet they draw from.

Lip Service - Their best song. It kicks off with a great riff and the lyrics are great in an absurd way. The keyboard lines shouldn't go well with the guitar line but it's fucking great. "Socialutions, written down in our teens. I mailed them to Kennedy, I typed them for Tito." "Only your right hand knows you're left handed."

Astonish Me - A beautiful piano and synth intro followed by a tasty guitar run and drum fills.

Let Your Man Fly - A pure Max song. A nice upbeat song.

Water Me Down - A really nice little song. A nice segue into the next couple of songs.

Distressed - A mid-tempo rocker with a guitar line at the 10 second mark that could easily be from a Steve Vai album circa 1990. A nice album track.

The Party - I love this song. It takes lots of twists and turns. If Max Webster has a strength, it's in their arrangements and lyrics. This song has some of their iconic line "We're just musicians, here to thin the thickness of your skin."

Waterline - I am not sure what the attraction to this song is but it does it for me. Slinky and understated. I love the way the guitars and keyboards play off each other. Nothing spectacular but it is a band doing what it does well.

Hawaii - A reggae tinged number that makes much more sense in their live setting. It would pair up with a couple of then unreleased songs for a fun concert segment that allowed for a lot of improvisation.

Beyond The Moon - Another understated song with Dali-esque lyrics.

[surfndestroy]

A Million Vacations, their shot at glory. They've gone pretty mainstream on some songs. The guitars are toned down a bit, as is the quirkiness. They had some success but not the wider success I think they were looking for. I understand why this is some peoples favorite Max album. The songs a lot tighter, the arrangements make it a much easier listen than anything before it and the songwriting is strong.

Paradise Skies - An opener that's hoping to be a hit. I really like the song but it's not what I go to Max for.

Charmonium - A much more traditional sounding song in their understated way.

Night Flights - They get into an almost arena rock sound. Have their influences grown to include Journey?

Sun Voices/Moon Voices - I am never sure what to make of these two songs. They almost act like an eight minute interlude on the album. Enjoyable but never really go anywhere.

A Million Vacations - Another song striving to be a hit while maintaining a little more of the traditional sound. Inconsequential music that's perfect for vacation headspace.

Lookout - This song does nothing for me. It's not awful but it's as close to filler as they get.

Let Go The Line - A beautiful song that does a nice slow build. Probably my favorite vocal delivery of any Max song.

Rascal Houdi - They are finally sounding like they're having fun. This song has much more in common with The Party from the previous album than anything on this album. I really dig this song, it's fun.

Research (At Beach Resorts) - They close on a high note here. Another fun song with musical references to The Party interspersed. The quirky is back and I love it.

The album is all over the place. They seem to be trying to please a lot of different audiences and in the process lose a little of what made them great. That point is hammered home by the last two songs on the album. The attached (lyp-sinced?) live version of Let Go The Line gives you a visual idea of how they were not all on the same page.

[liebzz]

I have never heard of them but will have to give it a listen in the near future. I forgot my headphones today so nothing for me today but this sounds fascinating.

[surfndestroy]

Universal Juveniles sees Max go out on a high note. From what I know the band was in tatters with only the guitarist,Kim Mitchell left from the debut album. The keyboardist left prior to the making of the album and it shows. This was primarily a solo album by the guitarist Kim Mitchell (of future Patio Latterns fame), as such the keyboards are much more subdued than on previous albums. It hits on all of my favorite Max-isms. Some tasteful guitar, great riffs, a bit of quirkiness and Dali-esque lyrics.

In The World of Giants - A great opener, a couple second guitar solo and then into the song. A really nice rocker.

Check - Another straight-forward rocker. The song is fun, pure and simple. "No compromise, no meal" pretty much tells you where their headspace was at as far as the industry and their success goes.

April In Toledo - An interesting song on that it foreshadows some of Kim Mitchell's future solo sound. Between this song and 'In The World of Giants' it sure sounds as if touring has taken it's toll.

Juveniles Don't Stop - Rocking on autopilot a little.

Battle Scar - Most likely their most well known song outside of Canada. A co-performance with Rush with Geddy Lee's vocals the most prominent Rush component. A classic intro, that begs to be turned up, followed by one of Max's best. Going out on top with this one.

Chalkers - A little all over the place even by Max standards. That said, there's some really nice guitar to be had.

Drive and Desires - A song that is so much better than the intro it's given. Another nice rocker. Nothing great to say about it nor anything bad (once the song kicks in).

Blue River Liquor Shine - Another intro that doesn't do the song justice. I can't put my finger on what it is I like about the song, it's a bit of a mess but there's something endearing about it.

What Do You Do With The Urge - At this point I think Kim Mitchell could write these B level rockers in his sleep. I love the piano in this song, a touch of honky-tonk that elevates the song.

Cry Out Your Life - Not too bad a song to go on. Very King Crimson-y to start and that's never a bad thing. The guitar solo goes on a little too long but I love guitar so it really doesn't bother me.

Five albums and the band was done. They never had the success I feel they deserved. but they were their own enemies when it came to achieving success. The choice of singles is just inept. On their final album, Battle Scar was only released as the third single, as a b-side to an unreleased track. Their label had no idea how to package and market them. This holds true to the content of the live album as well. Pretty much unknown outside of Canada which is a shame. Hopefully you've listened to some of the videos and found a new band to explore.