ARTIST: Scrounger ALBUM: Snap LABEL: Anchor SERIAL: ANCL-2021 YEAR: 1976 CD REISSUE: 2004, Airmail Recordings (Japan), AIRAC-1083, 4 bonus tracks, remastered, ltd edition COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: LINEUP: Paul Lewis - vocals * Ian Curnow - keyboards, vocals * Paul Keogh, Ray Russell - guitar * Mo Foster - bass * Frank McDonald - bass * Peter Van Hooke, Mike Nicholls - drums * James Cameron - strings TRACK LISTING: 01 Parisian Cafe Blue * 02 Telephone Song * 03 Our Love * 04 So Here I Stay * 05 Me, I'm Pretending (Jimmy Dean) * 06 Platform '9' * 07 Lady Fame * 08 Smile * 09 Magical * 10 Other Girls Don't Feel The Way You Do

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Background
Released on the same label that brought you the evergreen classic 'How Long' by Ace, Scrounger's 'Snap' was just one of a handful of noteworthy albums put out by Anchor Records including the pre-Motorhead band Blue Goose featuring 'Fast' Eddie Clarke, Moonrider (Gulliver connection in case you were wondering) and Cado Belle with powerhouse vocalist Maggie Reilly as well as becoming Alice Cooper's British label for a short time. A very impressive roster indeed, but for my money 'Snap' is the best album the label slapped their logo onto and is well worth the attention for fans of classic 70's English pop.

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The Songs
This is sophisticated pop music in the style of 10cc, Caf‚ Jacques, Blue Max, Nasty Pop, Jigsaw, Brian Protheroe, Pilot, Queen and well.. you see where I am going? Now you have to understand, this is probably my favorite style and era of music so when I gush superlatives, heaping praise on an album like this, consider the source. Having said this, there is plenty here for even the most casual fan of 70's art pop to enjoy. Opening cut 'Parisian Cafe Blue' sounds like a brilliant mixture of Sailor, 10cc, and Pilot and I am in heaven! 'Telephone Song' borrows the best of Gilbert O'Sullivan and Paul McCartney while 'So Here I Stay' and 'Me, I'm Pretending (Jimmy Dean)' both owe a huge debt to Queen and ELO, but the songs are so good, it doesn't matter and I just shake my head how an album of this caliber flew under everyone's radar for so long?

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In Summary
Vocalist Paul Lewis seems to have disappeared, but keyboardist Ian Curnow has made a name for himself as a producer and arranger for people like Boyzone and Rick Astley. Not exactly up to the creative level of Scrounger, but the guy has to make a living I guess. I have hoped for a CD reissue of 'Snap', but it hasn't happened yet and as time goes by the possibility of seeing the record in digital form grows dimmer with each passing year. Still, I have my trusty vinyl and for those interested, copies of this classic shouldn't be too difficult to track down. What are you waiting for?

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