A Promise Is a Promise | ||||
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Studio album by | ||||
Released | 1988 | |||
Genre | Garage rock | |||
Label | Ace of Hearts[1] | |||
Producer | Richard W. Harte | |||
Lyres chronology | ||||
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A Promise Is a Promise is an album by the American band Lyres, released in 1988.[2][3] A band timeline constructed by Pete Frame that was included in the gatefold claimed that the album was recorded by the 13th lineup of the Lyres.[4][5] The cassette and CD versions of the album added seven songs.[5]
The Lyres supported the album with a North American tour.[6] The band broke up briefly after finishing the tour.[7] A Promise Is a Promise was reissued by Matador Records in 1998.[8]
Production
The album was produced by Richard W. Harte.[9] Some of the songs were recorded live during a European tour.[10] Stiv Bators sang on "Here's a Heart".[11] "Witch" is a cover of the Sonics song.[12]
Critical reception
Review scores | |
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Source | Rating |
AllMusic | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide | ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() |
Martin C. Strong | 5/10[13] |
Trouser Press stated: "Dispensing with most of the dated stylization for about as modern a sound as a group with prominent Vox organ can get, the energy-spewing album drags in spots but blasts off in others."[4] The Boston Globe concluded that the album "plays as a set of important throwaways, which, let's face it, is a rather central premise of disposable pop music ... [singer Jeff] Conolly's idea is to bash out the fury—or the occasional hope—and move on to the next slab-of-life dilemma."[5]
The Washington Post determined that "the singer/keyboardist's passion is both the appeal and the point of bluesy stompers like 'Sicked and Tired'—and it's swaggeringly infectious."[6] The Orlando Sentinel noted that, "with wheezing, cheesy organ riffs and grinding guitar chords, the Lyres from Boston embrace the style of '60s garage rock with an '80s twist."[14] The Telegram & Gazette thought that the Lyres give "down-home garage melodies a punk soul."[15]
AllMusic wrote that "despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic."[11] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide panned the "lo-fi" live tracks.[9]
Track listing
No. | Title | Length |
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1. | "Here's a Heart" | |
2. | "On Fyre" | |
3. | "Every Man for Himself" | |
4. | "Feel Good" | |
5. | "I'll Try You Anyway" | |
6. | "Worried About Nothing" | |
7. | "Touch" | |
8. | "Running Through the Night" | |
9. | "She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies" | |
10. | "Jagged Time Lapse" | |
11. | "Knock My Socks Off" | |
12. | "Sick and Tired" | |
13. | "Trying Just to Please You" | |
14. | "Witch" |
References
- ↑ Righi, Len (19 Feb 1988). "LYRES PROMISE TO TIE UP LOOSE ENDS AT 'BERG". The Morning Call. p. D3.
- ↑ "Lyres Biography, Songs, & Albums". AllMusic.
- ↑ Mackie, John (15 Sep 1988). "Boston cult band Lyres bring their solid rock to town". Vancouver Sun. p. D3.
- 1 2 "Lyres". Trouser Press. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- 1 2 3 Sullivan, Jim (3 July 1988). "LYRES' 'A PROMISE ...'DELIVERS THE GOODS". The Boston Globe. p. A5.
- 1 2 Jenkins, Mark (15 July 1988). "Lyres Still Making 'Elevator' Music". The Washington Post. p. N23.
- ↑ Smith, Andy (February 15, 1991). "THE CRITICS CHOICE: The Lyres". The Providence Journal. p. D3.
- ↑ "Lyres' Crucial Garage-Rock Albums Reissued". MTV News.
- 1 2 3 MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide. Visible Ink Press. 1999. pp. 701–702.
- ↑ Moon, Tom (22 July 1988). "THE LYRES". FEATURES WEEKEND. The Philadelphia Inquirer. p. 32.
- 1 2 3 "Lyres - A Promise Is a Promise Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic" – via www.allmusic.com.
- ↑ Milano, Brett. "Don't give it up now: The Lyres are still on fire". Worcester Phoenix. Retrieved 23 June 2022.
- ↑ Strong, M.C. (2003). The Great Indie Discography (2nd ed.). Canongate. p. 405.
- ↑ Duffy, Thom (9 Oct 1988). "Best Patrol bets". Calendar. Orlando Sentinel. p. 22.
- ↑ McLennan, Scott (April 18, 1993). "THE LYRES STAY TRUE TO THEIR SCHOOL". Datebook. Telegram & Gazette. p. 11.