Monday, October 18, 2010

The Steppes - Enquire Within (us-Ireland 1989)

The Steppes - Enquire Within (us-Ireland 1989, Voxx Records VXS 200.058)

Members:
* John Fallon - Vocals, Guitars
* David Fallon - Vocals, Bass Guitar
* Tim Gilman - Lead Guitar
* James Bailey - Drums, Percussion

Tracks:
A1. Master James
A2. In Your Prime
A3. Who Am I to Say?
A4. If We'd But Care
A5. The Brightest Lights
B1. Time Goes By
B2. Sailing the Silver Cloud
B3. Alvernia
B4. You Don't Know How Late
B5. Begin

Bio:
The Steppes were originally formed as a powerpop trio in 1982 by brothers John and David Fallon with drummer Eddie GrzybThe Blue Macs". There were five demos that were recorded and given a brilliant review in Melody Maker in March of '83. John and David relocated from Dublin to Los Angeles and added Tim Gilman to the line up. The name of the band was now changed to The Steppes. They recorded 8 songs that were released by Mystic Records in Hollywood February of '84. James Bailey became the drummer shortly after. The Steppes gigged in Los Angeles and around southern California from 1983-1985. John and David Fallon returned to Ireland for several months. Greg Shaw of Bomp Records signed The Steppes to a multi-album deal after The Steppes played one show at Greg's Cavern club in Hollywood near the Capital Records building. The Steppes then recorded Drop of the Creature LP in west Los Angeles in '86. the album was realeased in '87. The Steppes then recorded the Stewdio LP in '87 in Hollywood. The album was released in '88. John Fallon played guitar on a Dementia 13 album called "Disturb the Air" which came out in '88. The same year, The Steppes toured Europe. They played shows in England, Belgium, Germany, and Greece. After the tour, they recorded 'Enquire Within' in London. The Steppes then did 22 shows plus a TV appearance in Greece in '89. The Enquire Within album resulted with a second and larger European tour in October. There were 30 shows in England, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Holland. After the tour, they returned to London to record 'Harps and Hammers' in December of '89 and January of '90. To be continued...
~ MySpace URL : www.myspace.com/thesteppesnowonmyspace.
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«Easily one of the best and most distinctive combos of the neo-psychedelic crop, combining a subtly baroque musical sensibility with an ability to pull off ambitiously original arrangements and production ideas. The Steppes capture the essence of vintage psychedelia without sounding pretentious or unduly derivative. The band's albums have steadily grown more accomplished and impressive, Enquire Within is a mesmerizing, extraordinarily realized work…»
~ (Bompstore) .
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«Enquire Within was recorded at Goldust Studios in Bromley and was engineered by Mark Dawson, who had been recommended by Nick Saloman of The Bevis Frond. Over a four week period the band laid down a selection of recordings that would give the band's recorded work the kind of production for which they had long hoped. This album was certainly a turning point in The Steppes sound and, when it was released in 1989, The Steppes started to get major press. The fledgling Q magazine described the album as “a strange, but rather fascinating brew” whilst Italy's Rockerilla compared the album to Hendrix meets Nick Drake! In truth Enquire Within was surely The Steppes attempt to finally satisfy their love for '60's music and bring it into the '90's. Master James which was slated for a UK 12" single that was never released, is a hard edged number that hints at Beatleseque vocal harmonies without being derivative. The love song “In Your Prime” hangs piano on a waltzing melody line, while the understated passion of “You Don't Know How Late” is reinforced by brilliantly subdued, electric guitar bursts. During “Who Am I To Say” Tim Gilman pours some of his most fiery guitar work into a crisp, Hendrix influenced, blues rock mould while “The Brightest Lights” is pure Steppes – magnificent lyrical, Irish rock blended with acid guitar ragas, mysterious and lethal. The Beatles like “Time Goes By”, a demo version of which is included on this CD, is the kind of song that has made Oasis famous while “Sailing The Silver Cloud” rocks out with Celtic abandon. Enquire Within was released on CD in Germany by the Music Maniac label with bonus tracks [included]. Despite critical success Enquire Within was not helped by the cheesy, computer generated packaging and lack of effective promotion…»
~ (Irishrock.org).
more info:
http://www.irishrock.org/irodb/bands/steppes.html.
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Absolutely wonderful !!! The Forever Changes of the 80's...
~ by Philmarie (RYM).

....AND I'M AGREED! THIS IS THE BEST DESCRIPTION I 'VE EVER HEARD ABOUT THIS MASTERPIECE...
~ Alfaios.

Download Links:
Normal version :
http://www.mirrorcreator.com/files/0NFD9BTX/The_Steppes_-_Enquire_Within__us-Ireland_1989_.rar_links
Shorter version :
http://mir.cr/0NFD9BTX

...and also...

http://www.multiupload.com/BE9AFI09WH
The Steppes - Enquire Within (us-Ireland 1989).rar (53.76 MB)
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2 comments:

Pep Sonic said...

Thank you very much. A great record. A great band.

Anonymous said...

this is a gem. its baroque stylings like a lost left banke or satanic majesties popsike gems to balls-out molten streams of acid guitar that a fan of bluer cheer would dig.