Audio CD review:
Katrina & The Waves - Edge of the Land

Katrina & The Waves - Edge of the Land

Band: Katrina & The Waves Title: Edge of the Land Rating: Release Date: 28 June, 1999 Media: Audio CD Tracks:

Customer Reviews Worth Searching For! I agree with all other postings: Katrina and the Waves should have been HUGE and were mishandled by every major label that signed them. I think the '93 version of "Walking on Sunshine" was probably at Polydor's request, but if you don't bother with that track (or treat it as a curiosity rather than the final track of the cd) this is one of KATW's finest collections. To any who are interested in finding the other three cds from the 1990's, I'd recommend the pricey-but-viable amazon. co. uk. At least you'd be searching Europe instead of the US. Please Don't Pass This One By The guitarist is an impressive one, and the lead singer has a hot, soulful voice. Their songs are smart, catchy, with a good rock edge. So why is it that this band has never been able to shake the stigma of "one hit wonder" for its great 1985 hit single "Walking on Sunshine?" Makes no sense, unless one chalks it up to record company ineptitude. What is really criminal is the fact that this album - 8 years old as of this writing - has NEVER even been released in the US, despite possession all the qualities cited in the paragraph above. This is some first rate power pop -- rocking, soulful, and full of hooks, yet this album and this band continue to be ignored except on nostalgia shows reliving the 80's or (here's that term again) "one hit wonders. " Do yourself a favor, and treat yourself to this album. If you are a fan of "Walking on Sunshine" there is no reason you won't like this album, even if the new version of that song is vastly inferior to the original. But that can be overlooked given the gems that are here. If it had been given a chance "Just Like James Dean" could have propelled this band back into the spotlight. It still isn't too late. Get this one while you still can. Katrina & the Waves at their best Granted, some of their material could be sub-par and almost childish, but at it's best the group was a tight pop-rock outfit and Katrina Leskanich is one of the most underrated vocalists of the past two decades. As with the two previous reviews, I've always found it a mystery as to why Katrina & the Waves weren't bigger in the States. That said, I was thrilled to find out recently that "Roses", the group's 1995 release, was actually a compilation made up of tracks from their two previous releases, 1993's "Edge Of The Land" and 1994's "Turnaround". While I have yet been able to track down "Turnaround" (anyone know where I can get a copy, thus allowing me to complete my KATW collection?), I'm happy to say "Edge Of The Land" is an excellent CD, probably tying "Waves" as the group's overall best album. While I was a little wary of the opening track "Honey Lamb" (a too cutesy/been-there-done-that sort of song that has hurt the band in the past), I was instantly knocked out by the second track "I'm In Deep", a percolating rocker with a killer chorus. Other hi-lites include the unique "The Beauty Myth", an amazing blend of pure pop melded with socially biting lyrics, the good-time feel of "Summer Night In Monterey", which quickly transports you to decades long-ago-gone and "Just Like James Dean", the kind of song that rocks while still being fun. Ballads - power and otherwise - such as "Make It Right", "Angel Eyes" and "Pearly Gates" help to show off the power, clarity and subtlty of Katrina's voice. And, as an added bonus, we get an update of "Walking On Sunshine", one of those guilty pleassure songs that, whether you care to admit it or not, everyone loves. So. . . . who should buy this CD? 1)Anyone who loves great rock & roll. 2)Anyone who has ever been remotely attracted to Katrina Leskanich's voice. 3)Everyone else! On a closing note, I'd like to suggest some smaller U. S. labels check out this CD; if it could get Katrina a U. S. deal in preparation for her first solo album later this year, well, it could only be a good thing!. . You can see a complete list of all Katrina & The Waves discography, or go back to the Katrina & The Waves tabs