Former member of 80s mod outfit The Moment Steve Rinaldi released ‘The Party’s Over’ last July under the moniker Rinaldi Sings. Written over a long period, it was recorded at Palm Studios, Soup Studios, and Mile Farm Studios with the aid of producers Steve and Paul Bultitude.
You can buy the record here.
Albums being recorded over long periods can often sound disjointed and lack clarity with various epoch visions tinkering with the sound. Rinaldi manages to avoid these pitfalls with panache as he unites his love of 60s pop with his mod instincts. The bubblegum mod-pop of ‘Eyes of a Dreamer’ soars elegantly alongside the melodic stomps of Spencer Davis Group. ‘Empress of the Splendid Season’ taps I to the wistful soul of Roddy Frame and enriching orchestration of Chris Farlowe. Meanwhile, ‘The Highs Are Too High’ takes the indie-soul of The Housemartins for a night out to Wigan Casino and Twisted Wheel. Its razor-sharp characterisation a fine nod to Ray Davies’ legacy stomps along like the dearly missed New Street Adventure.
Interspersed among the groove-laden pop are slower numbers ‘We’ve Been Here Before’ and ‘Holy Cow’. The former, the epitome of charm, imparts the essence of The Everly Brothers and the rousing warmth of Frank & Walters as it ambles free. ‘Holy Cow’, feels like a Richard Hawley track given the indomitable optimism of Edwyn Collins’ songwriting. Both act as a fine balance to this party album, allowing everything to percolate in the mind.
On ‘She’ll Be There’, Rinaldi has recorded nothing a 60s classic. The grandiose brass and Bacharach orchestration are given Northern Soul and Style Council’s immediacy to produce something truly special. As if that wasn’t enough, The Beach Boys breakdown is simply divine!
A curiously consistent album, its long recording process should have led to some big dips based on other albums of this ilk. Proof that sticking to your guns will see the good out creatively. ‘The Party’s Over’ was most definitely worth the wait.