This lovely digi pack edition contains two FM albums, 1991’s ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’ and their swansong, 1995’s ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’. For me neither album really grabbed me on their original release as I was a firm fan of their two 80’s AOR/melodic rock classics ‘Indiscreet’ and ‘Tough It Out’.

Listening to them again I am a bit more of a fan mainly due to the wonderful vocals of Steve Overland, one the UK’s great unsung vocalists who deserves much wider exposure than he has had.

Tracks like ‘I’m Ready’ and ‘Bad Blood’ will be liked by fans of Thunder, whilst their cover of Marvin Gaye’s ‘Heard It Through The Grapevine’ keeps the song’s soul base adding some tasty guitar on top. There are three bonus tracks on here as well.

Sadly ‘Dead Man’s Shoes’ still lacks any real hooks for me. The cover of ‘Get Ready’ still has me reaching for the ‘skip’ button but ‘Sister’ does stand out as a decent slow number with heartfelt vocals. Overall though a disappointing album to these ears.

If you’ve not heard or got these albums then they are worth adding to your collection mainly for ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’ and Thunder fans in particular will enjoy this album. Escape triumph again on the overall package adding bonus tracks (four in all) and a lovely fold out gatefold.

***½

Review by Jason Ritchie

***** Out of this world | **** Pretty damn fine |
*** OK, approach with caution unless you are a fan |
** Instant bargain bin fodder | * Ugly. Just ugly