Review - Terrorvision: How to Make Friends and Influence People

Steve Taylor-Bryant finds out How to Make Friends and Influence People by listening to Terrorvision...



There's something quite special about being drunk out of your nut and bouncing around a field in Cornwall with your best mates Vauxhall Nova stereo blaring out music. That's how I spent a lot of 1994.



In fields.



Drunk.



Listening to music.



Not necessarily in Cornwall.



We had almost come to the end of American hairspray rock, grunge had kicked off in style, but over here in Blighty there was a small group of bands coming to the fore with some great rock tunes and anthemic sing-along-a-drunk singles released. The Wildhearts had released the awesome Earth Vs The Wildhearts, Little Angels were still riding high, Gun had just released Swagger which is a hell of an album and then there was my go-to band for fun as well as musical talent... Terrorvision.



Terrorvision live in a club setting is an experience I'll never forget but Terrorvision in a field is something to behold! I'd been to a couple of the Monsters of Rock festivals before '94 but the second stage at Donnington at that particular year’s event outshone most of the mainstream rivals over on the main stage. Terrorvision were the highlight for me though and I'd nearly forgotten all about the boys from Bradford until it was announced they'd be at this year’s Beautiful Days...



In a field.



The memories of 1994 led to me maxing out my latest iTunes voucher and I thought (because I can now I'm not 90's Steve any more. I even eat Kale) I'd share with you my love of Terrorvision's second album. So here's How To Make Friends And Influence People, track by awesome catchy track.



Alice What's the Matter?



"Something about you really puts me down,
You're the life of the party you're the toast of the town,
Something about you really picks me up,
Like a hot cup of coffee in a hot coffee cup."



This could honestly be a song about anything and all my friends have a different interpretation but I like to think it's about a relationship that has some issues that the singer wants to get to the bottom of. Anyway it's a cracking opening to an album with some very heavy riffs and screaming vocals that get close to losing control. Intense and powerful opener.



Oblivion



"And do you feel your life is threatened by fabricated stories,
Dreamt up by the sons of campers that you killed back in the forties,
I could see that all the possibilities for conflict,
Could just back up your decision to subject them all to oblivion."



This song is most definitely anthemic. You can't help but sing along, you can't help but dance, pop rock at its very best. Why don't you grab a drink and join them? Don't mind if I do.



Stop the Bus



"I feel sad man 'cos we're victims of the victims,
Who don't give a damn, just say they're victims of the system,
They say, what's the point when the future's a thing of the past,
You might as well give in they don't build history to last."



Most definitely the most political song on the album with scathing commentary of what the government did to the north of England where the band are from. Musically it's very good with hooky bass throughout and beautiful distortion on the heavier parts.



Discotheque Wreck



"He's in the bar, he's in your hair
With his sports keyring jangling he's everywhere
He's in your view, he's in your face
Straight out of the seventies to straight out of place
His collars turned up high he's on top of the world
Sliding down the bar he's always falling, falling
With his one good eye he winks at what he thinks is girls
Opens toothless grin and then he's crawling, crawling"



One of my favourite songs on the album. Proper heavy rock intro, softer during the start of the verses, builds over the final section of a verse before unleashing mayhem on the chorus. Lyrically funny as we've all seen someone like this when out clubbing but a brilliant mosh tune too.



Middle Man



"You know I couldn't be me if it wasn't for you

I feel like shit and look like plastic but I'll get through

You know it’s plain to see what's going to do

As long as it don't get too drastic then we can't lose

Don't blame the middleman come to me

I'll tell you what I can all you need

Cut out the middleman wait and see"



Slower in pace but with familiar Terrorvision riff quality is perfectly mixed with some orchestral moments and harmony which has some wonderful Beatles-esque moments.



Still the Rhythm



"And we've all got sick with our cooler than thou,
Holier than shit attitudes,
Still the war goes on just drop the bomb,
There's nothing left to lose.
There's a bullet in this gun so you've got till,
the count of one before they shoot."



I could have been wrong in saying Stop the Bus was the bands most political song as Still The Rhythm is certainly a scathing look at the world in general however I'm still going with Stop the Bus as its more close to home. I'll also be honest I'm not the biggest admirer of Still The Rhythm. It just seems a bit like filler and is the weakest on the album.



Ten Shades of Grey



"Times we spent cheating and lying,
Wondering when we would be back by your side again,
Hoping and praying to get through the day,
I need your attention to see through the fray.

It's night again all the time,
Shadows are lurking but I can't find mine,
People look at me as they flood through the door,
I need your attention not theirs anymore.

And the light from the candle goes dim,
as I slip deeper down from the brim.

The people are fading away,
As I slip into colours then ten shades of grey,
If I don't last this one tell them when I've gone,
That playing with you was incredible fun."



This is possibly the most elegant and beautiful song on the album. Beautiful in its construction, the bass, drums and guitars are perfectly balanced as they flit between acoustic loveliness and heavier moments. Again orchestration gives it a classy feel and it's the first vocal on the album that shows Tony Wright's ability to actually sing and not just rasp. A wonderful change of pace.



Stab in the Back



"Powdered rock stars just add water
Pop up a treat just like they ought to
Little bit old and clichéd sought of
Number one hit punch in the order

Stop right there, Stab in the back
There's something you ain't got
Yes you definitely lack, originality"



Rock stars then politicians followed by the media in the wake of Robert Maxwell's death all get the Terrorvision brand of anger here in a really funky sounding way. Effects pedals and 70's sounding percussion underneath great guitars add for a great difference in style.



Pretend Best Friend



"The wicked step father that took a step farther,
Played the patron saint in his shining armor,
With his sword of power and shield to protect you,
Tongue hanging out 'cause he's going to get you.

You know I want to hug you, you know I want to kiss you,
It's your dear old pop and you know I really miss you,
In the pantomime of life look out he's behind you,
Says no I'm just here to remind you."



Pretend Best Friend (or when northern man tries his hand at rapping) is an awesome snapshot of what was happening musically within rock during this period. It's very Red Hot Chilli Peppers or Ugly Kid Joe in style but magnificent in its delivery and highly catchy. Very dark lyrics that come across almost tongue in cheek. Love the brass led quiet moments as well that break up the madness. Marvellous.



Time O' the Signs



"I'm high up on your cross and I'm burning burning
I couldn't give a toss I'm just a worm that's turning
Radical oh so radical
Radical oh so radical
I'll fight for your cause saying something's a disgrace
But if the trend changes then so can my face
That's comical no now I'm cynical
That's comical no now I'm cynical"



Very 90's surfer rock in its sound, think Rootjoose, but still very sing-along-a drunk and heavier moments are very moshable.



What the Doctor Ordered



"You need help, that's what you need,
You need help, can't get it from me,
You need help, something you got or you ain't,
You need help."



This is a heavy track. If you take Wrights northern rap skills and raspy delivery and overlaid them to a Metallica track you wouldn't be far off What The Doctor Ordered. Magnificent.



Some People Say



"Some people say that what I know should be kept secret,
Some people say I don't know anything at all,
Some people say that what I do could be dangerous,
Some people say I don't do anything at all."



Acoustic brilliance with a stunning string arrangement underneath and again proof (if it was needed) that Tony Wright is a hell of a singer.



What Makes You Tick



"I'll find out just what it is,
I'll find out what makes you tick tock tick tock,
I'll find out just what it is,
I'll find out what makes you tick tock tick tock.
You've got no chance of getting bored,
You've got our consciences to play with,
You've got the masses and the hordes,
Just waiting for you to tell them how to live."



Back to the tick tock that started back before Alice What's the Matter and a song that rounds off a very strong album perfectly. Catchy Terrorvision riffs, heavy in places, Wright rasping, brilliant bass and driving drums. Excellent.



Now, I'm off to find Tequila. It makes me happy...



Image - Amazon