What's most striking about this album is just how high the professionalism is. In most cases like this, you'll get a muddy or tinny recording, and a record sleeve from an artist that may or may not have been paid, if there was even artwork to be had at all. On Eight Reasons Why you are treated to a gatefold cover and one incredible production. I just cannot get over how well this album sounds. Big, fat, and analog.
The music is of a familiar variety for 1981, that of the North American proggy AOR genre, but it's the execution that separates this album from the pack. This one lays off the saccharine bits (i.e. no lame ballad for track A3 here) and, if anything, has more of a hard rock streak than most. But it's the keyboards that really shine here - brilliant synthesizer tones, and excellent Hammond organ gives this one a strong progressive rock flavor. The guitarist is crisp and loud, and the bass is also mixed up front, with an active and clean sound. Most of the songs are well crafted, with many ideas per composition. Definitely not one dimensional, yet would have fit perfectly for FM radio in that era. I think it just sailed under everyone's radar. There's a couple of more "ordinary" tunes here in 'Auf Wiedersehn' and 'I"ll Never Forget You', but nothing banal or pandering. If you are someone who likes this particular strain of music, then Gideon becomes a mandatory listen.
Needs a CD reissue! Adding to CDRWL Priority 2 now...
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