Yeah, I had to verify that this wasn't a compilation when I saw the title on the "new release" section of my favorite site. One must consider that a possibility for a band that formed before the Rolling Stones. As a matter of fact, Golden Earring has had the same lineup since 1970, no changes, no hiatus. "TNA" is studio album #25 and there are around ten more live and hits releases. I hopped on the "Radar Love" bandwagon with most of America when I was a sophomore in high school. Every time I hear that song I remember riding the old "yellow dog" school buses while on the baseball team. We'd play "Radar Love" just so David Davis would stand up wherever he was and launch into his incredible lip-synced version. I can still see it in my mind...
Golden Earring was a new band to us but "Moontan" was their ninth release! I stayed on the bandwagon for ten years, acquiring every album they put out during that span while America bought only the following three LP's before the thrill was gone. My favorite was "Mad Love (Contraband)"...Mad Love is comin', all over your walls..." The band hit the charts again with "Twilight Zone" from the "Cut" record in 1982. The song filled the dance floor in every bar/club I deejayed in. Still a classic rock radio staple today. The next album was my last one. I listened to the three that followed but didn't keep any of them. They lost me with the acoustic live albums. They were a ROCK band...no "unplugged" setting seemed to work.
I sampled "TNA" and was amazed how the band still sounded the same after all these years. After all three spins, I've decided to keep it. There isn't a "Radar Zone" on it but it's still got eight or more worthy songs, especially in the later half. One track hits a T-Rex lick, another sounds like Alice Cooper, and one more finds vocalist Barry Hay sounding like Gord Downie. Since it's not available in the States, I've been hard-pressed to find any quality videos to link. If you want to hear a couple, search for the album on YouTube. The only visuals will be the album cover, but play one or two. Click "Wanted By Women" and tell me how appropriate it is from the aging rock star's view.
If you are just a fan of "Twilight Love," then never mind. If you've ever been a fan of some of GE's deep tracks, you will be pleasantly surprised.
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