Robert Calevrt: Hype (1982)
- Details
- Written by T. Rake
In 1982 Robert Calvert released a record which should have made David Bowie envious—given the Serious Moonlight he was hocking at the time. The album is a presented as a tribute to Tom Mahler, fictitious singer-songwriter who is intentionally shot as a PR move to ensure his success. Not tied to the New Wave stylings of the day, but rather soaring out of the debris of A Space Ritual from nearly 10 years prior, the songs pulsate a narrative from his novel of the same name without ever telling a specific story.
The title was drawn from his novel, Hype, published the same year by The New English Library. According to the man, "I've drawn characters who are recognizable types but not individuals from these experiences, but the storyline of the book and the events in it are not based on my own experiences but are fiction. The book describes what happens to a young band that is exploited by a record company and internal power struggles between two over-ambitious individuals, who use this band as an elaborate game of spy vs. spy."
There is a futurism in the sound that is ironically less ironic, more guttural and at the same time tightly economic. The music is performed by the finest musicians from an aging 70s British underground including Hawkwind alum Nik Turner. The songs also benefit from thoughtful string arrangements that compliment the synths and angular percussion.
The record's stringent production penetrate with a starkness that almost betrays the density of the music adding to the drama without seeming like a parody. I think that's why this record succeeds: It's immediate. Maybe Brock's compelling delivery owes a debt to Maher?
Vexed by a completely revolting, albeit entirely appropriate, airbrush painting of what can only be a music industry exec poolside being served cold beverages by hot chicks, I remember filing this as a young record store employee with some disdain. The original 12 songs can be found remastered and repackaged with a handful of demos to round out the package on the venerable Voiceprint label.
Pairs well with a gallon of box wine.