The Purple Helmets "Rise Again" 1989

Rise Again was the second Purple Helmets album and was indicative of the uncertainties that were dogging The Stranglers. Hugh Cornwell was off recording solo album Wolf and, to cover this loss, their record company had taken it upon themselves to release a live greatest hits package which the band refused to promote. So, rather than vegetate, J.J. Burnel and Dave Greenfield decided to resurrect the Helmets who had last seen the light of day two years previously. The fact the band also contained John Ellis who would later replace Cornwell in The Stranglers could be cited as evidence of a growing rift...
…Rise Again is an amalgamation of old rock and roll standards interspersed with very minor original numbers and fortifies the belief that this is akin to a practice session before the qualifying for a Grand Prix actually begins. It isn’t bad but the material is so basic and effortless, the band appear to be totally uncommitted and uninvolved. Their take on such classics as "Brand New Cadillac", "Oh Pretty Woman" and "She's Not There" are strong enough, but "Money", "I'm Crying" and "Baby Let Me Take You Home" don't carry the same power. I think some of the blame for this can be laid directly at the door of the vocals. If Burnel had been given the opportunity to growl his way through the songs more often perhaps things would have been different. - Grampus
trax:
01 Brand New Cadillac 02 I'm Crying 03 Rosalyn 04 She's Not There 05 First Look At The Purse 06 Get Yourself Home 07 Oh Pretty Woman 08 Homework 09 Don't You Like What I Do 10 Money 11 Under The Sun 12 Baby Let Me Take You Home 13 Sha La Lee 14 Baby 15 Everything's Alright