Glorious, Glamorous Rock n'Roll
Glitzy rock n'roll bursting with energy and pizzazz is what Neil Leyton breathes. It has an inexplicably European feel; Leyton is Portuguese by birth and has received much acclaim across Germany, but the kind of 80's extravagant rock that rains from the first notes always seem to have a narrow, but devoted fanbase in the UK compared to the mainland.
The pirouetting vocals on 'Slowdance 1974' recall Bowie at his finest, while the guitars take a lower role rippling in the background as Leyton's charismatic peak elegantly over the top before being mimicked by a snarling electric solo.
"The media control your heads", call Leyton as he rallies his troops to an almost punk fervour in 'Automatic', it has the same bright verve at The Ark's 80's chique, while 'Flying Machine Blues' swoons with teasing, swinging guitar beats.
There are full out rock n'roll romps, like menacing, 'Drop Dead Gorgeous', which is so ostentatious that it's almost cock rock, except infinitely more refined, then there are delicious acoustic numbers, like 'Alone/Together', which seems to rub up close to you with a sensual intimacy; this is a definite highlight.
The album is even split into 'Side A' and 'Side B'; a concept that sums up the album's retro cool, 'Hyperventilating' storms its way along as the opener to 'Side B' with twinkling pianos adding that strutting kick. Where Leyton triumphs over other 80's style crooners is the variety on the album, 'Done This One Before' is a country rock ballad that breaks up the swaggering glam. 'Pleasures For Ophelia' is another lush pleasure, with Leyton's vocals whispering over wispy guitar chords before a full blown, glorious chorus spanks your ears. 'Adopt-A-Terrorist' if the funkiest protest song ever with some definite punk kicks spilling from the speakerphone vocals and chant of "Send food, send love, lay your weapons down". Amen to that.
For anyone who's ever pored over 'Velvet Goldmine' and wished they were born a few decades earlier, this is the album for you. Between the sultry numbers where Leyton's vocals lure you into captivating tunes; the classic rock, the punk energy and the wonderfully decadent guitar work there's plenty to love on 'The Betrayal Of The Self'. Who needs modern, when you can have something as glorious and rebellious as this.