A few weeks ago we featured here the first DeGARMO & KEY albums fully remastered for the first time, now we have here the second batch reissue 2022, and their 1985 LP “Commander Sozo & The Charge of The Light Brigade” is one of our favorites. And that’s simply because this is a 1984-1985 production, with ‘that mid-80s’ US sound production.
While DeGARMO & KEY origins were rock&pop / slightly bluesy melodic rock based, by the time “Commander Sozo & The Charge of The Light Brigade” was written & recorded, DeGarmo & Key fully embraced the synth-driven AOR style from the era.
There’s loads of vintage and modern synths, big drums, sharp clean guitars and catchy choruses, all perfectly polished and this remaster brings everything bright, clear.
Just hear the opening cuts “Active” and “Competition” which romp along nicely without succumbing to the band’s other American bombastic rock of the era, with synthesized keyboards and drums creating a driving rhythm as frenetic guitar riffs occasionally punctuate the melody line. Dana Key’s edgy guitars and clean guitars, at places, in conjunction with the synths, make thing feel a by new-waveish AOR.
“Competition” melds swirling keyboards with thundering tribal percussion, to create a pleasantly ambient composition.
There are lighter moments of course and the band’s usual spiritual concerns are aired but overall this is a feel good radio-ready commercial stuff.
Other standout track here is “Destined To Win” where the band team up with gospel artist Jessy Dixon for a catchy tune with an immense hooky chorus. Worth hearing the album just for that song.
“Commander Sozo & The Charge of The Light Brigade” is one the silliest named albums from the ’80s, but one of the best representations from the era: synths galore, big drums, smooth vocals; commercial radio-ready tunes.
This is pure Eighties, and there’s its charm.
Highly Recommended
01 – Activate
02 – Competition
03 – Temporary Things
04 – Apathy Alert
05 – Charge of the Light Brigade
06 – Destined to Win
07 – No More Goodbyes
08 – Rise Up
09 – Jesus Is Coming
10 – Casual Christian
Lead Vocals, Guitar, Songwriter – Dana Key
Vocals, Keyboards, Synths, Songwriter – Ed DeGarmo
Strings – London String Orchestra, London String Orchestra
Bass – Tommy Cathey
Drums – Greg Morrow
Jessy Dixon – Vocal duet with Dana Key on “Destined to Win”