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Sometimes reduced to a footnote in the history of rock -- Tom Robinson was openly out, singing "Glad to Be Gay" when many rockers remained in the closet -- the Tom Robinson Band was a dynamite rock & roll group, straddling the line between pub rock and punk at the end of the '70s. Their sound was full-blooded and muscular at a time when many rock & roll groups opted for jagged, reckless attacks, but Robinson took more risks politically than almost all of his punk peers, mercilessly pursuing Thatcher and taking a strong stance for gay rights. That is the context for the music collected on 2013's triple-disc anthology, which contains TRB's two studio albums -- 1978's Power in the Darkness and 1979's TRB 2 -- singles, John Peel Sessions and BBC Sessions…the whole shebang, really; everything the group recorded during their prime. Opening with the single "2-4-6-8 Motorway" before sliding into a series of live sessions, the big roar of the Tom Robinson Band is immediately apparent, so by the time the professional punch of Power in the Darkness arrives, it's clear that things have been tidied up but have retained their power. Todd Rundgren wound up polishing the band even more on TRB 2, appealingly enough, but all the live material that follows functions as a nice corrective, illustrating that TRB may have gotten more assured but hadn't lost their bite. And, when all three discs are taken together, it adds up to a convincing argument that Tom Robinson Band were one of the more underrated groups of their time: they had the songs, they had the politics, they had the flair; they just existed between two worlds, which is perhaps why they sound more appealing now than they did back then.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
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Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Bob Dylan, Composer - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Jeff Griffin, Producer - Mike Robinson, Chief Engineer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Lead Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Mark Ambler, Solina Synthesizer - Danny Kurstow, Backing Vocals, Lead Guitar - Brian Dolphine Taylor, Drums, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1977 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1977 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1977 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Composer, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1977 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards - Roy Butterfield, Composer
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Composer, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Composer, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Composer, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Composer, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Composer, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Vic Maile, Producer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Composer, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
DISC 2
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Vocals - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Vocals - The Tom Robinson Band, MainArtist
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Nick Plytas, Keyboards - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2004 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - PARKER, Composer - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
John Themis, Composer - Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - George O'Dowd, Composer - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , Composer, MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , Composer, MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Peter Gabriel, Composer - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - PARKER, Composer - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals, Lead Vocals - Robinson, Composer - Taylor, Composer - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Plytas, Composer
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Preston Heyman, Drums - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
John Themis, Composer - Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - George O'Dowd, Composer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , Composer, MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - PARKER, Composer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - PARKER, Composer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Joseph Longo, Composer - Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Adam Nunn, Remastering Engineer, Digital Remastering Masterer - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - James Camacia, Composer
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
DISC 3
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Composer, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Drums, Vocals - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Keyboards
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1978 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - PARKER, Composer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Dolphin Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Composer, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Brian Taylor, Composer - Alexander Kustow, Composer - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals - Mark Ambler, Composer
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
John Themis, Composer - Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - George O'Dowd, Composer - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Ian Parker, Keyboards, Backing Vocals - Charlie Morgan, Drums, Backing Vocals - Tom Robinson, Vocals, Bass - Tom Robinson Band , Composer, MainArtist - Danny Kustow, Guitar, Backing Vocals
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 1979 BBC under exclusive licence to Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
Album review
Sometimes reduced to a footnote in the history of rock -- Tom Robinson was openly out, singing "Glad to Be Gay" when many rockers remained in the closet -- the Tom Robinson Band was a dynamite rock & roll group, straddling the line between pub rock and punk at the end of the '70s. Their sound was full-blooded and muscular at a time when many rock & roll groups opted for jagged, reckless attacks, but Robinson took more risks politically than almost all of his punk peers, mercilessly pursuing Thatcher and taking a strong stance for gay rights. That is the context for the music collected on 2013's triple-disc anthology, which contains TRB's two studio albums -- 1978's Power in the Darkness and 1979's TRB 2 -- singles, John Peel Sessions and BBC Sessions…the whole shebang, really; everything the group recorded during their prime. Opening with the single "2-4-6-8 Motorway" before sliding into a series of live sessions, the big roar of the Tom Robinson Band is immediately apparent, so by the time the professional punch of Power in the Darkness arrives, it's clear that things have been tidied up but have retained their power. Todd Rundgren wound up polishing the band even more on TRB 2, appealingly enough, but all the live material that follows functions as a nice corrective, illustrating that TRB may have gotten more assured but hadn't lost their bite. And, when all three discs are taken together, it adds up to a convincing argument that Tom Robinson Band were one of the more underrated groups of their time: they had the songs, they had the politics, they had the flair; they just existed between two worlds, which is perhaps why they sound more appealing now than they did back then.
© Stephen Thomas Erlewine /TiVo
About the album
- 3 disc(s) - 57 track(s)
- Total length: 03:37:30
- Main artists: The Tom Robinson Band
- Composer: Various Composers
- Label: EMI
- Genre: Pop/Rock Rock
© 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company ℗ 2013 Parlophone Records Ltd, a Warner Music Group Company
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