Description
Once and for All is the sole full-length album by the American alternative rock band The Imitators, released on Exile Records in 1985, distributed by Lexicon Distribution. The album was produced, recorded, and mixed by label founder Gord Driver at Asaph Recording in Anaheim, California; with the band co-producing. All songs written by Barry Edge except tracks A3 and B4 co-written by Edge and Philip Mason, track B3 co-written by Philip and Lori Mason, and track A2 written by Philip Mason only.
The Imitators features Barry Edge on guitar and vocals, David Price on guitar, Philip Mason on keyboards and vocals, Robert Villegas on bass, and Richard Cabrera on drums. (Linn Drum programming on track B3 provided by Dave Spurr of Tamarack fame.)
‘Once and For All’ is the first full-length LP by The Imitators and a strong follow-up to their eponymous EP. The album capitalizes on the strengths of many new wave dance groups with its textured sounds and natural danceability. The best thing about the album is the way it showcases the significant improvement the group has made since its first attempt at vinyl music.
While the band seems to have no problem developing catchy hooks to build their songs around, the record is weakened by a general lack of energy. The problem does not seem to be musical passion, but the tempo of the songs. At times, I found myself waiting for the next lyric or the next musical development. An increased speed (20-30 percent) on many of the cuts would have made a difference in the general feeling of the album.
Still, The Imitators have given us enough on this record to hope for a really great album next time out, and their good variety of songs reveals several influences that are worth mentioning. There are strains of Ultravox and The Psychedelic Furs on songs like «The Kingdom of Heaven Is within You» and «Idol». On the other hand, songs like «Got to Feel the Fire» and «I’ll Keep Holding On» (the best song on the album) are very techno-pop/The Cars oriented with a few more touches of emotion. Not limited to up-tempo numbers, the band also has the ballad-like «Once and For All» that finishes off the album with the best lead guitar on the album.
Lyrically, there is not a lot of new ground covered, but what is new is featured in two songs. «Idol» offers an interesting contrast of a living God and an idol worshiped by a friend of the songwriter. The most adventurous lyric is found in «Children of the Lie», and it undoubtedly will raise a few eyebrows: “Chris and Chrissie/ Are talking about theology/ In the back seat…/ They’re into/ The Bible/ She’s using it for a pillow/ He’s moaning/ Oh God/ Don’t mind.” Undoubtedly a truthful commentary on today’s morality, it’s a painful reality that most people would rather not face.
The Imitators show great promise, and they have instilled in me a strong desire for better from them. [Devlin Donaldson, CCM, April 1986]
LP tracklist:
Side One
A1. “The Kingdom Of Heaven Is Within You” – 3:27
A2. “Idols” – 3:57
A3. “Got To Feel The Fire” – 3:17
A4. “I’ll Keep Holding On” – 3:13
A5. “Children Of The Lie” – 4:21
Side Two
B1. “Sometimes (I Think I’m Never Gonna Make It)” – 3:30
B2. “Get A Little Bit Closer” – 3:37
B3. “The Writing’s On The Wall” – 3:30
B4. “Once And For All” – 3:47
Note: Released on cassette, 12-inch vinyl LP and CD.
CREDITS. Produced by Gord Driver and The Imitators. Engineered and mixed by by Gord Driver at Asaph Recording, Anaheim, CA. Mastered by Steve Hall at Future Disc. Cover Concept by The Imitators. Cover Design and Layout by Ed McTaggart. Photography by Alex MacDougall. All music by The Imitators. Road Engineering and Coordination by Daniel Eslick.
The Imitators: Barry Edge (Guitar, Vocals), David Price (Guitar), Philip Mason (Keyboards, Vocals), Robert Villegas (Bass), and Richard Cabrera (Drums). Additional musicians: Dave Spurr (Linn Drum on track B3).
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