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Charlie - 1978 Lines
Background Borrowing again from the Roxy Music school of the sexual soft sell, Charlie's third album 'Lines' (see the credit card and mirror- get it?) was something of a breakthrough in the American market with the minor hit 'She Loves To Be In Love'. The band had spent much of 1977 on the road with Thin Lizzy, Doobie Brothers, Styx, UFO and even holding the dubious honor of opening for Billion Dollar Babies on their ill-fated U.S. tour consisting of just two dates, but despite their hard work, the previous album 'No Second Chance' failed to chart in a big way. 'Lines' changed all that and thirty years later the album still holds up as one of Charlie's best. The Songs Now of course this is not the same Charlie of the 1980's and those looking for another 'It's Inevitable' will surely be disappointed. Charlie circa 1978 was nothing more than the Doobies wrapped up in a Union Jack especially on the first three tracks, but how can anyone resist the chorus of 'She Loves To Be In Love'? It was a hit for a reason and fit nicely on most AOR play lists of the day, but what to make of 'Watching T.V.? Believe it or not, this incredibly dated song also received air play and might even made it as a follow-up 45 if I remember right. Lyrically it's a novelty record very popular at the time much like Paul Nicholas' 'Heaven On The 7th Floor and Alan O'Day's 'Undercover Angel', and although it comes no where close to pop stupidity as those musical tragedies, it's pretty ugly with references to 'Star Trek', 'Starsky and Hutch', and 'The Bionic Man'. Enough said. Fortunately 'Out Of Control' is a return to form as is most of side two with top prize going to the jazzy 'L.A Dreamer' and the ballad 'Keep Me In Mind' although the closer 'I Like To Rock And Roll' despite it's banal title is a decent track as well. In Summary An extensive North American tour with The Kinks would follow as well as a one off co-headlining show in New York with Fotomaker. I'm old enough to remember 'Lines' posters plastering the walls of most record stores at the time and why not. The model was gorgeous and Charlie it seemed were on the way to the top. Of course as we all know history would play a different hand for Charlie but of their 70's albums, 'Lines' was their creative and commercial peak. Related Articles Charlie - 1978 Lines Charlie - 1979 Fight Dirty Charlie - 1981 Good Morning America Charlie - 1982 Here Comes Trouble Charlie - 1983 Charlie Charlie - 1986 In Pursuit Of Romance Charlie - 2009 Kitchens Of Distinction Copying of material without permission is not permitted. Posted by Eric
on June 30, 2008 ·
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