Sniff 'n' the Tears ‎"A Best Of" 1978-1982(orig) 1991(comp)***

This album might more accurately be called "Driver's Seat and some other songs" - Sniff 'n' the Tears is the very definition of one-hit-wonder, and nothing else here rises to the level of their big hit. "Driver's Seat", though, is a perfect single poised halfway between AOR and New Wave: nice chugging beat, killer keyboard riff, piercing electric guitars, insanely catchy chorus, all ingredients expertly mixed and cooked to perfection. It was based on a demo by singer/guitarist Paul Roberts' former band Ashes of Moon which had gotten nowhere and disbanded in '74, with him pursuing a career in painting (all of the band's record covers are his work). The resurrected and renamed band used it as the lead single for their debut Fickle Heart (1978). Only two more songs from that album are included here, the reggae-ish new wave "The Thrill Of It All" and melodic AOR "Looking For You" with its smooth vocals and cool synth. 1980's The Game's Up has a bigger representation with 5 tracks: Of the 3 singles, "Poison Pen Mail" has a West Coast folk-rock beat, "Rodeo Drive" is synth-driven New Wave, and "One Love" sounds like a typical new wave band covering a Tom Petty tune. "What Can Daddy Do" sports a reggae beat, and "Night Life" is a pleasant mid-tempo rocker featuring some cool electric guitars. Incidentally, the album cover was deemed too controversial ("a rapist's fantasy" they called it - the artist denies that description) and was replaced in the U.S. by another Roberts painting. Which is, of course, the reason I had to have the LP. Maybe one day I'll make a special post with all the album covers I have that have been censored in the U.S. They're a lot!

The lead single from Love/Action (1981) is "The Driving Beat", a bit too happy/upbeat for my taste. "Snow White" suffers from overtly cheesy synths, while "Love/Action" and  "Steal My Heart" fare a bit better. "Roll Them Bones" is a single B-side in their by now familiar AOR/New Wave style. Other mid tempo tracks here remind me somehow of Chris Rea, despite the very different guitar style. Lack of success didn't deter them from giving it another try, after all Ride Blue Divide (1982) had the advantage of a seriously catchy single to promote:

"Hungry Eyes" was their best since "Driver's Seat" - in that Chris Rea style I mentioned, but more upbeat with a really driving beat, cool horns and harp, and catchy chorus. It nevertheless didn't chart, and the band packed it up once more. B-side "Bagatelle" is also included here, along with folky ballad "Gold" and mid tempo "Ride Blue Divide" (good solo, but otherwise boring song). The band promptly disbanded until 1991, the year this compilation was released, featuring another pretty cover painted by Roberts and a longer version of "Driver's Seat". The latter was released as a single, reaching No.1 in The Netherlands and sparking a reunion that resulted in a new album and tour. They intermittently still record and perform, apparently resigned to basing their career on the strength of their sole hit without ever being able to repeat its success. For all purposes, one compilation featuring "Driver's Seat" is all you need from this band - which isn't to say that the rest of this CD doesn't make for pleasant, if forgettable, listening. Preferably on your car stereo.

***** for Driver's Seat (both versions)

**** for Looking For You, Hungry Eyes

*** for What Can Daddy Do, The Thrill Of It All, One Love, The Driving Beat, Night Life, Poison Pen Mail, Steal My Heart, Love/Action, Rodeo Drive

** for Snow White, Roll Them Bones, Ride Blue Divide, Bagatelle, Gold