Gordon's long-ago dismissal from Sparks was abrupt and seemingly inexplicable, and there was acrimonious fallout, but when the band recreated the album onstage last year, their bassist studiously copied Gordon's distinctive bass lines.
The other Gordon recordings I am most familiar with are those with his post-Sparks band, Jet. Not the contemporary one, the 70s one, the one AMG dubbed "the first glam super group." Gordon's songwriting flourished on the two albums' worth of material that has surfaced from the band, which trafficked in chunky guitar riffs and ridiculously catchy hooks.
Many of Jet's characteristics, and Gordon's exceptional songwriting, continued in the better-known Radio Stars and over series of solo albums. The most recent, Time Gentlemen Please, paints a typically dire portrait of 21st century humanity, but does it so entertainingly, it distracts one from the certainty of the impending apocalypse.
This review appeared, pretty much like this, on Blogcritics, and refers to a promotional
CD that was provided to me free* of charge:
When it arrived in the mail, the first thing I noticed is that Martin Gordon’s new album is nicely packaged. From the clever evolutionary clock front illo, to the artfully designed lyric pages within, the enclosed booklet reflects uncommon quality in these recessionary times. I also appreciated the helpful warnings on the back—“Do not place this CD in boiling water. In case of overwhelming hunger, do not attempt to eat this CD”—because, well, with me, better safe than sorry.
Unfortunately, as interesting and appealing as Time Gentlemen Please appears, and as intriguing as it sounded that one time I played it in the car stereo on my commute, I’m a busy guy, and really, who’s got time to listen to a whole album, much less write it up?
Good thing there are so many capable music reviewers on the Internet. Radiant Future, Gordon’s longtime label, must have sent out scads of review copies, if the number of write-ups on the Web is any indication. Because they are all probably better reviewers than me, and like I say, I’m kind of rushed, I cut and pasted some of the best comments I found about Time Gentlemen Please, which I’ve compiled for you here:
“Gordon’s pedigree with preeminent art-rock outfits Sparks and Jet (his 70s glam band) stands him in good stead here, as the mad pop ideas and heady lyrics fly fast and furious. While an entertaining listen, his dour outlook on mankind’s prospects for the future will give one paws.” — Canine Fancier Quarterly
“One look at titles like "Houston We Gotta Drinking Problem" and "Incognito Ergo Sum" hint at bassist/songwriter Martin Gordon’s wit and facility with language, if not his lyrical concerns. This album, billed as “the fifth and final outpouring of bile and spite in the so-called Mammal Trilogy,” is Gordon’s soundtrack to the final ticks of the Atomic Clock, both a jovial indictment of humanity for what we’ve done to ourselves, and a resigned shrug at the futility and finality of our situation. Full of energy, yet thematically often downbeat, listening to this album is something like cutting your Xanax with crystal meth.” – Contemporary Drug Interaction Journal
“Another in a string of clever-bordering-on-brilliant solo offerings from a chronically underappreciated artist. The classically-trained Martin Gordon has surrounded himself with a tight band of like-minded, versatile players — check the nylon string-morphing-to slide guitar solo on “You Can’t See Me” — and a frontman-ready Swedish lead singer, Pelle Almgren, who has acknowledged that he doesn’t always understand what he’s singing. Gordon’s experience with Spark’s innovative songwriter, Ron Mael, is as evident as his impeccable influences.” — Offshore Heavy Equipment Manufacturing Monthly
“Standout cuts include the Jellyfish-esque "21st Century Blues," "On and On," the Kinks-y "Talulah Does the Hula From Hawaii," and the woozy, menacing, and captivating ‘Elephantasty.’ — Specialty Socket Sales
“Mr. Gordon and his friends play well together. Many of the selections lend themselves to dancing and singing along (although parents may wish to program around the tunes ‘If Boys Could Talk and Girls Could Think’ and ‘Shoot the Women First’ lest they lead to some awkward questions about gender equality!) Mom and Dad may recognize the Beatles’ classic, "I Feel Fine," by title if not otherwise. Where the original was bright and peppy, Mr. Gordon’s remake is slow and gloomy. He doesn’t sound ‘fine’ at all! (Note: Don’t be misled by the title, Time Gentlemen Please. This album does not attempt to teach either telling time or manners.)” — Childrens’ Recreation and Creativity Jamboree!
“Lively!” — Modern Mortuary Management
Overall, they seem to think this is a CD you ought to hear. Me, too! As soon as I get time . . .
* If the FCC truly has nothing better to do than police penny-ante bloggers like me over the handful of
promotional materials they receive every year, we are as doomed as Mr. Gordon makes us out to be.
