Today we are presenting not only a very good ’80s AOR album, but also a rarity: 1986’s BRICKLIN self-titled debut album “Bricklin“. But this is the rare Special Edition version, a reissue of the album done when a BRICKLIN song was included into the ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ movie soundtrack.
After three years “Bricklin” was originally released in 1986 (and due wrong promotion didn’t sold well) an unreleased song from the band was selected for the 1989 movie. ‘Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure’ resulted very successful, so A&M Records planned a reissue of “Bricklin” including as bonus track the song used in the film, titled ‘Walk Away’.
However, early, mid-Eighties CD’s sounded a bit flat, then A&M also commissioned a sonic refresh of “Bricklin”, and as happened with many old albums during the Nineties, “Bricklin” was remastered in Japan and the CD pressed / manufactured in Japan as well – but to be released / sold in the USA.
This “Bricklin / Special Edition” has become a mega-rarity, and the sound quality blows out of the water the original 1986 CD.
When BRICKLIN’s self-titled debut album was released in 1986 the music world was still a good place. But despite having their debut LP being released by a major record label, the band around brothers Scott and Brian Bricklin didn’t to succeed.
Probably because musically BRICKLIN didn’t fit into any regular scheme, as they mixed American Melodic Rock a la BEAU COUP, THE ARROWS and VITAL SIGNS with British New Romantic pop-rock in the vein of LEVEL 42 and SPANDAU BALLET – and A&M Records executives weren’t able to properly sell / promote the band.
So for the rockers the BRICKLIN sound was too Lite AOR and keyboard-oriented, while for the poppers it was too heavy and guitar-driven. The sextet was caught between all stools with their perfectly produced song material and no fanbase could go for them.
Anyhow, over the years the album turned a cult item among AOR circles / fans, and into an out-of-print rarity with people paying over 50 dollars for a CD / LP at eBay.
So, in the long term, songs like ‘Fear Of Life’, ‘Even When You’re Done With Me’, ‘If This Love’, ‘How Come I?’ or the outstanding ‘She’s Not My Girl’ found its audience: fans of elegant, elaborated lite AOR / rock&pop with a Hi-Tech touch.
Scott Bricklin is a so much talented songwriter, all songs here are melodic, with essence. Add to that a very good musicianship and top class / major production, and the sound of “Bricklin’ is excellent.
And this ‘Nineties-type’ remaster brings the necessary punch for this music to shine.
HIGHLY Recommended
01 – Fear Of Life
02 – For Her Love
03 – Even When You’re Done With Me
04 – All I Know
05 – Love Without Pain
06 – If This Is Love
07 – All You Own
08 – She’s Not My Girl
09 – How Come I
10 – The Sleeping Dream
BONUS TRACK:
11 – Walk Away
Scott Bricklin – vocals, guitar, keyboards, percussion
Brian Bricklin – guitar, vocals, keyboards
Ian Cross – guitar, keyboards, vocals
James Goetz – bass, vocals
Eddie Bader – drums, vocals
Jake Meyer – vocals, keyboards, percussion