THE CREEK ‘The Creek/Storm The Gate’
(Escape Music ESM101)(2004)
I always remember the ads for the band’s self-titled 1986 release in
Kerrang!, ‘..Now sugar free the Creek’, as The Creek morphed from
Sugarcreek, whose work is also available via Escape Music. Both these albums
I bought when they first came out and both still get an airing to this day.
If you enjoy 80’s melodic rock with a pomp touch (mainly in the
arrangements) then this is a must.
Well packaged in a double digi-pack with a brief history of the band. Of the two albums ‘Storm the Gate’ is the more
accessible and has such classics as the title trakc - big chorus and
guitars, a fun cover of ‘Hanky Panky’ and ‘Rock Me Tonight’, which I defy
anyone not to keep humming after a first listen! Still don’t like the cheesy
‘Foxy’ but overall a fine album and you get bonus tracks recorded with a new
vocalist, Jay Willard (ex-Illusion). These aren’t bad either although only
keys man Rick Lee remains from previous line-ups.
‘The Creek’ is again another well played melodic rock album with some
radio friendly tunes like ‘Six Days To Sunday’ and ‘Love Will Stay’, but it
lacks a killer tune or two that are found on ‘Storm the Gate’. The playing
is top notch throughout with vocalist Tim Clark equally at ease on the
rockers and acoustic tinged ballads.
Worthy release and the bonus tracks just ad to the desirability.
Hopefully the band may yet do another album but since ‘Storm the Gate’
originally came out in 1989 it looks unlikely.
Label website
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Review by Jason Ritchie
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