UNDERCOVER - Balance of Power Kickstarter
Just wanted to bring to your attention, in case you missed it; there is a Kickstarter campaign to reissue their 1990 album Balance of Power. For me, this was a key turning point for the band. Their prior album, Branded, was the first with new vocalist Sim Wilson. It was at this point that the band changed sound away from the pop punk feel, true. But I find the sound was more solidified and showed what was come, when they released the album that followed Branded. Balance of Power IS the album that followed.
This album was released after a few year hiatus by the band; with the band splitting and doing various other projects in those years. It was four years after the release of Branded when the band had reunited, recorded, and released Balance. The sound had changed. Gone still was the more predominant pop punk sound of earlier releases, and in was an even more dark, alternative feel - a heavier feel too.
I still remember grabbing this up when it was released, and at first, was taken aback by the change. But very quickly fell head over heels in love with it. That is why I hope this Kickstarter campaign meets the goal - I WANT THIS ON VINYL!! The album that followed this, Devotion, was similar in style and was anther favorite of mine, and fortunately has already had a successful Kickstarter campaign release recently, so now I want to complete the collection of this era of sound by seeing this one reissued. If you also want to see all of the reissue formats - please support the campaign - it ends very soon.
Also, read this recent blog post by band member Ojo Taylor, about the back story to this album, the band issues at the time, and some of the bonus material history to be included with this reissue (if it meets the goal) - OJO TAYLOR BLOG
Though 1987’s Branded has earned the reputation as Undercover’s “darkest” album, there’s an argument to be made that Balance of Power has it beat. Released three years later, after the passing of guitarist Gym Nicholson’s wife, the album pushes even further into the shadows, opening with an image of a world splitting apart at the seams, and ending with a harrowing plea for forgiveness. The band’s sound followed suit—gone were the layers of keyboards that gave Branded its rich textures, replaced instead by knifepoint guitars; Sim Wilson’s voice had gone from goth-y baritone to a pained wail, and the rhythm section of Ojo Taylor and Gary Olsen was turbulent and stormy. It’s a gripping, visceral record, made by a band searching in the darkness for the smallest sliver of light. ~ J. Edward Keyes
