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I have often been perplexed, that in the wake of the international transcendence and ultimate global domination of U2, i.e. Bono and Soggy Bottom Boys, why I suddenly did not come face to face with a glut of Irish bands in that era. So many, that there would be dozens upon dozens of terrible bands signed plus a handful of keepers.
Certainly with Nirvana breaking out in the 1990's, record people invaded Seattle like Seal Team 6. I have this image of industry executives parachuting in, with the Space Needle in the backdrop, briefcases filled with contracts, with the intention of signing every band in a 50 mile radius. Congregating in a fashion similar to the results of throwing red meat into a Shark tank.
I can't honestly believe that some of that did not happen on the Emerald Isle. Of course we had Fatima Mansions/Microdisney, Frank and Walters, A House, My Bloody Valentine, Roller Skate Skinny and of course a band that should be known by those that read this blog, Whipping Boy. Yeah, there were others, I know.
But I've listened to Immigrants, Emigrants, and Me, this aforementioned 1st album for about my 10th time, and I am fairly amazed that this album did not strike a chord with the music fans in the U.S. I was not aware of them until recently at all. The explanation I keep seeing in my investigations, is that there was a timing problem. That what happened was a so-called "U2 backlash", where people were fed up with the band, and consequently some otherwise worthy bands were ignored. But in a country like mine, where so many people take a great pride in their Irish heritage, I would have thought they would have gone down as smoothly as a well-drawn pint of Guinness.
One listen to this album, and I think you would agree that the songs were made to be sold in mass quantities and given heavy radio rotation. The band plays melodic, moody pop, with anthemic choruses. You could make some comparison to U2 in their sound, but I could also make comparisons to REM, The Smiths, even the Hoodoo Gurus, so I suppose it means that their music was relevant to the music of that era. I mean, they do have their own special charisma. I like how they sing out "tink" instead of "think" on their songs.
From top to bottom a very solid album, with some especially nice tracks, like Stay, Where is the Love?, and The Jokes on Me. I particularly like the tune Mother's Eyes, with its melancholy jangle.
From what I've found out, Power of Dreams was big in Ireland, U.K., Japan and in a few European countries. In many lists of the best Irish rock albums of all time (by critics and polling within Ireland), you would likely find this album featured prominently. Not in the top five (there you would probably find Whipping Boy rubbing shoulders with Van the Man and Bono), but nonetheless, being on the list is a testament to the quality of the music, and the enduring reverence for a nearly 25 year old album by the music fans of Ireland.
Power of Dreams:
Craig Walker: Guitar/vocals
Keith Walker: Drums
Michael Lennox: Bass
So if you were interested in Irish bands, or good 90's bands, I would highly recommend Power of Dreams Immigrants Emigrants and Me. The music is top notch pop. The only thing I could say negatively is that there is a tendency in most songs to have choruses where one line is repeated over and over again, which gives the otherwise excellent songs a certain songwriting pattern. A few years ago deluxe 2 disc version of this album came out in limited qualities, but that has long sold out. Finding a copy of that may be cost prohibitive. I have been trying.
These days, the band members are involved in various other projects, though there have been reunion shows now and again. Craig Walker has a band called Mineral, but still is continuing with Power of Dreams, as you can see by checking out the bands functioning website. Maybe this band has slipped through the cracks as it has for me, but it isn't too late to make up for lost time!
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