Tom Cochrane & Red Rider - Tom Cochrane & Red Rider

Ashes to Diamonds

Not Tom Cochrane. Not Red Rider. But Tom Cochrane & Red Rider. It does seem a little hyperbolic to say this is one of the best rock albums of the eighties, but as time passes, that seems more and more to be the case. Often this record is referred to as a 'transitional' album (when it is referred to at all) and it's true. But that transition is what makes it so extrordionary. What you have here is the perfect hybrid of the hard-edged new wave of Red Rider and the more introspective singer-songwriter work of later Cochrane solo albums. It is an exemplary mix for the time and it helps keep the album sounding timeless 20+ years on.

Cochrane's songwriting is in top form. His use of structure is at its most fully realized (note the playouts at the end of "Lasting Song" and "River of Stone" or the extra poetry snuck into the fadeout of "Boy Inside the Man" for example). If you're a fan of soaring middle 8's you'll be delighted with this. Tom's singing is at its most confident and despite the fact that the message of many of these songs is rather dark, the album never comes off as too brooding because the hooks and arrangements of the tunes; the energy of it all; is like a celebration of music. It's still rock 'n roll. It's just that the band are paying rock 'n roll the dignity of taking it a little seriously.

The rest of Red Rider (as it was at this point) is also knocking it out of the park. Ken Greer's signature steel guitar work is as good as ever. His solos are impressive and tasteful and his textures throughout the songs are second to none. John Webster's keys (under the direction of producer Pat Moran no doubt) are also wonderful and play a crucial roll in the overall sound while refraining from the big string-patches and bell sounds that were so prevelent at the time. Ken "Spider" Sinnaeve's bass makes its debut on a Red Rider album and it is much more aggresive and dynamic than previous outings.

The whole thing is expertly engeenered (although the EMI Canada CD is mastered pretty low). Virtually every song is a winner. The closer "One More Time" flirts with smaltz a little with its saxaphone laden into and winsome lyrics, but even it is catchy as hell. So what you have is slick and earnest cocktail of modern rock and roots rock that should appeal equally to fans of The Alarm and John Mellencamp alike. No small feat, but TC & RR pull it off. They would apply the same approach to the 88 folow-up "Victory Day" and while that disc has some great highlights, the songs are more consistantly good throughout here.

Personal favorite song is "Love Under Fire" but "Boy Inside the Man" and "Ocean Blue" are also steller anthems. Highly Recomended. July 10, 2008

Tom Cochrane and Red Rider

Tom Cochrane truly speaks from the heart in all his songs. And this album is no exception. I would always pick this album over material done by Springsteen, Mellancamp, and Dave Matthews. August 18, 2005

This Is A Great Cd

This is a great cd to listen to. I bought the album back in 1986 and really didn't play it a lot at first. The first single Boy Inside The Man started getting some airplay and then MTV started playing the video and I started to really like the song. I played it again and fell in love with it. It has some really great songs. Boy Inside The Man, The Untouchable One(the second single), Love Under Fire(one awesome song), Citizen Cain, Ashes To Diamonds & Ocean Blues are the best songs but all are really good to listen to. If you are a Tom Cochrane or a Red Rider fan this is a must for your collection. May 4, 2005

A step up from Red Rider of old

I first stumbled across this in a cut out bin, having never heard a song from it, having not even known it had been released. Lunatic Fringe had been a local radio favorite and I had waited for Neruda to hit the charts and take off, but to my great disappointment it had never happened. When I got his album home and listened to The Boy Inside The Man, I just knew it was destined for greatness, and played the song for anyone who would listen. Par for the course, it never got played on Cincinnati radio, which marks it as an instant classic elsewhere. If nothing else, following the career of Red Rider let me in early on the secret that Tom Cochrane was a genius. This album is the proof. The Boy Inside The Man is a classic on par with Lunatic Fringe and the rest of the album doesn't disappoint. Strong work. Stronger career. December 19, 2003

Absolutely a superb album

By luck I stumbled on Tom Cochrane and his song "Life is a Highway", and from that moment, I was hooked for life. He became my favorite artist, and this record, the first he released is exceptional and uniqe. It isnt only his first, its one of his best.
The songs have this special soul to them, they are just beautiful to listen too. Trademark for many of the songs are the building verses and the catchy, melodic chorus. You can also trace roots back to Stones/Clapton/Springsteen and older rock and roll on some of the songs, but he never looses his modern, catchy rock style with sweet songs.
On to this one!
There isnt a SINGLE bad song on the album!!
The best songs on the album, is definetly "Boy inside the Man", "Love under Fire", "The Untouchable One", "Lasting Song", "Ocean Blues(Emotional Blue)" and the haunting and beautiful "One More Time(Some Old Habits)".
Tom Cochrane got this great voice, not overly clean and strange like artists today, but natural and comfortable to listen to. One hot tip, if you want the full effect out of his songs, like "Love under Fire", take it for a spin in your car a late night driving with a crisp and clear sound. You will be stunned.
Its very hard to find the right words to describe this music, you can guess and read reviews, but none do this album right. It simply fantastic, Superb, wonderful, great and all the words you can say.

The only real bad thing about Tom Cochrane & Red Rider is that it can be damn hard to get his music, especially in Europe.

Support Tom and show the world who`s the man! March 28, 2003

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