Steeplechase were a one album and out band with that album released to no fanfare in 1981.
I stumbled upon it recently after a Sea of Tranquillity review and bought a copy on the strength of that.
And what an album it is. A real lost should have been a platinum seller type deal.
Crisp, clean chords, soaring vocals, hooks and harmonies, swirling keys/synths and a big production job.
Think pomp-rock as it should have been at the time. If Sytx, Boston, Kansas, Journey and Zon (remember them?) had got together then Steeplechase would have been the result.
Steeplechase formed around the mid-1970s playing mainly covers around their local area before their ambition became larger than that. Line-up changes saw a few come and go with perhaps the most notable addition being the monster vocal pipes of Joe Lamente. What a voice.
With an album’s worth of material written it was time to get it out to the public. Timing wasn’t everything in this case as this style of pomp/rock was to quickly fall out of favour as the new wave/punk scene came to the fore pushing the likes of Steeplechase well in to the music industry background.
Their album, good as it was, made little impact and not even some reasonably high profile support would see Steeplechase break out. Instead, alas, they faded away.
But what a superb album they left behind. Nine cuts of proper pomp-style heaviness. Each showcasing the vocal range of Lamonte (up there with the likes of Steve Perry for my money) allied with a tight band full of talent.
Each and every one of these nice songs is top class. Well written, enjoyable, memorable, rocking, catchy, melodic and those big crisp chords and swelling keys.
Have a listen to Shangri-La. I defy you not to like it:
The other eight songs in a similar vein. Top, top class stuff. Just as good as anything Styx or Boston were putting out at around the late 1970s/early1980s.
Can’t speak highly enough of this sole album from Steeplechase. From first note to last it’s all good and then some. They don’t make ‘em like this anymore – and more’s the pity.
The album is available on CD and I got mine from Amazon for less than a tenner. Simply superb.
>> STEEPLECHASE’S ONLY ALBUM ON AMAZON HERE <<
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