tracks on LP: Declaration | Marching On | Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke? | Third Light | Sixty Eight Guns | We Are The Light | Shout To The Devil | Blaze Of Glory | Tell Me | The Deceiver | The Stand (Prophecy) | Howling Wind
Record label: I.R.S. IRSA 7044
Released: 13/02/84
Borrowed: 23/04/84 (Keith Lowery)
Like a beached whale, the Alarm huff and puff, look very impressive, and get nowhere. The great raucous sound exemplified on “Marching On” is really the start and finish of the Alarm story. That early single proved that there was a band out there with energy, a unique acoustic sound, and more power than an articulated lorry.
Some 18 months later, the track opens the group’s debut album. It’s an album of slogans, power and promises – but promises than mean nothing.
Behind the group’s revolutionary stance, the thoughts are about as radical as the conversation at a Tupperware party. They sing about going out and fighting, but there’s nothing about what will happen when they get victory.
Now this isn’t a total slag off. The Alarm boast a pure naivety that’s rare and essential for any pop record. Stealing a lot from The Clash – and “Shout To The Devil”, which opens side two, is pure Strummer-ese – the band power through a series of songs which boast a power and simplicity that should be the envy of a lot of modern groups.
The singles “Sixty-Eight Guns”, “Where Were You Hiding When The Storm Broke?” and an abridged version of “The Stand” are all potent songs, but are dogged by impotent lyrics. And the rest of the songs follow in much the same vein.
There’s an array of sizzling acoustic guitars, pounding drums and the gruff, wailing voice of Mike Peters and occasionally the weaker vocal lines of Dave Sharp, but their impact is skin deep.
The Alarm still have a lot of growing up to do. If you like the singles, then buy. If not, dismiss. +++ (Record Mirror, February 1984)
The Alarm | Declaration | (I.R.S.) 1984
The Alarm have a message and this, roughly, is what it is: get up, think, shout, fight for the freedom to do what you want rather than sit around moaning about it and, most of all, act.
And the message comes ringing out loud and clear in everything on this LP from the uptempo catchy “Sixty Eight Guns” to the less hectic “Tell Me”.
An LP for those who want to change the world, or just hear some good music. (7 out of 10) (Smash Hits, February 1984)
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