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ARTIST: Simms Brothers Band
ALBUM: Attitude
LABEL: Elektra
SERIAL: 6E-289
YEAR: 1980

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN:

LINEUP: George Simms - vocals, saxophone * Frank Simms - vocals, rhythm guitars * Mick Leonard - lead guitars * David Spinner - vocals, percussion * Robert Sabino - keyboards * Shimmy Maki - bass * Budd Tunick - drums, percussion

TRACK LISTING: 01 Attitude * 02 Tell Me (Victim Of Rock And Roll) * 03 Dear * 04 She's My Girlfriend * 05 Love Is True * 06 Zeroid * 07 I Can Take It From You * 08 Kingston Place * 09 Lookin' For Some Money *10 Breakdown

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Background
A few years back, Eric wrote an article on The Simms Brothers Band, and their self titled debut LP on Elektra. Not to be confused with a black funk outift of the same name, no, these guys were peddling a style similar to West Coast acts such as Snail and the Faragher Brothers. Eric compared them to Oak, Boatz and the Doobie Brothers. All bands covered here at GDM. Acclaimed producer Mike Stone handled the production on the debut, while those duties would fall to Eddie Kramer for this their second and final album for Elektra: 'Attitude'.

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The Songs
Regarding this LP, I had read somewhere that the Simms had moved into a new wave/pop direction for this album. That statement isn't entirely correct, if for a couple of tracks. It goes to show that you shouldn't always believe what you see in writing. Does the fake news scandal in 2016/2017 ring a bell with anyone? With Kramer at the helm, you can be assured that this LP was never going to fully go down the new wave path. The opening album title track is an energetic affair with those tinkling electric piano runs and bristling guitars to the fore. 'Tell Me (Victim Of Rock N Roll)' falls squarely into that early 80's category, and for this track, there are so many contemporaries to compare against. The next track 'Dear' is a lovely slice of orchestrated pop and appeals greatly, but when the team up the ante on a racy and fun track like 'She's My Girlfriend', you know this LP will be on people's wants list.

'Love Is True' bounces around similarly to early Silver Condor while 'Zeroid' admittedly veers the closest to the aforementioned new wave style. Hard to ignore the Supertramp Wurlitzer sound from keyboardist Robert Sabino on the excellent 'I Can Take It From You', but this album wins me over with the pleasant radio rock/AOR of 'Kingston Place'. Very nice. 'Lookin' For Some Money' dips its toes into power-pop territory, but Mick Leonard's lead guitar work ensures this one is at the heavier end of the scale. However, closer 'Breakdown' is the quirkiest track here, this one definitely sits in the new wave camp. Again, Leonard does his best to cover the band's tracks with some fiery guitar work.

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In Summary
So, the history books will show only the two LP's released for this Connecticut band. Being on the Elektra label paves the way for Wounded Bird to possibly reissue them as a 'two-fer'. Wouldn't that be something? In the meantime, if you want to listen to the album online, go to our YouTube channel, and find the Simms Bros playlist which I've created. Some kind soul has posted these tracks to YT. Go to it..

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