It’s the cusp of the 1980s. The New Wave of British Heavy Metal is taking off. Brian Robertson’s left Thin Lizzy. Jimmy Bain’s out of Rainbow.
So they form a band together – Wild Horses. Completing the line-up is Neil Carter and Clive Edwards. What a line-up eh. They couldn’t miss, surely?
Well you’d think so wouldn’t you? A debut album is recorded with the producer none other than Trevor Rabin. Unimaginatively titled The First Album it’s released in 1980 to much media interest and fanfare.
Now, over the years I’ve tried hard to like that first album. A few days ago I gave it another spin and tried hard again. It doesn’t work for me. In my opinion, overall it’s lightweight. Jimmy Bain’s vocals are weak and when you have a key weapon in the shape of the guitar talents of Brian Robertson you let him lose instead of keeping him in second gear.
Reservation is OK and Face Down sounds like Thin Lizzy though for me the rest of it – bar perhaps No Strings Attached – is a huge misfire. It’s like they couldn’t decide what kind of band they wanted to be and bar the occasional flashes, Robbo’s axe is firmly in it’s holster.
Here’s Face Down. See what you think.
If you’re curious and want to pick up a copy for yourself, head on over to Amazon.
>> WILD HORSES THE FIRST ALBUM ON AMAZON <<
The following year (1981) a second album came out. Stand Your Ground. Neil Carter has cleared off to UFO and in came John Lockton.
Stand Your Ground is a huge step up from the first album. Much more cohesive with stronger songs and Robbo’s blazing guitar let out to play. And it’s so refreshing.
After a bit of a slow start the good stuff starts with Back in the USA, the title track, the Axe and Miami Justice being a strong quartet of songs which are varied in style all with some bite to them.
For example the Axe is a chunky, punchy rocker and Miami Justice a bit of a jaunty affair with a nice melodic line as the story unfolds.
Have a listen to Miami Justice:
Precious in a misfiring, clichéd soppy ballad which doesn’t work for me and feels out of place. Then New York City and Stake Out come in to close the album out in fine style.
After the let-down of the first album, Stand Your Ground shows how good Wild Horses could have been.
>> WILD HORSES STAND YOUR GROUND ON AMAZON <<
However shortly after Stand Your Ground was released, Robertson and Edwards left. Bain tried to keep the show in the road bringing in Rueben and Laurence Archer and ex-Leppard drummer Frank Noon.
That didn’t last long. The Archers’ formed Stampede and Bain reacquainted with ex-Rainbow man Ronnie James Dio. And that was the end for Wild Horses.