The Kids Are the Same [Audiophile]

by Paul Collins, The Beat, Paul Collins' Beat

Overview

It's a story as old as time (and rock & roll) itself -- band makes great debut album, then has to come up with a follow-up, and doesn't do quite as good a job. While The Kids Are the Same, the second album from Paul Collins and the Beat (here called the Paul Collins' Beat to avoid confusion with then-popular British ska outfit of the same name), is hardly a disaster, it's a genuine disappointment after the modest classic that was their debut album. Producer Bruce Botnick seems to have been going for a more spacious sound on this set, and it doesn't suit the band as well as the tight, AM-friendly tone of the first LP, and Collins doesn't write quite as many instant classics for this disc. Many of the songs go for a more measured approach than the speed-demon hook-fest of album number one, with a conspicuously higher "gal's got me down" quotient, and while the material is still quite good, it isn't as exciting or engaging. But there are still some great rock & roll tunes here, the band is tight and emphatic, and "The Kids Are the Same" is a classic teen anthem waiting to be rediscovered. While there's a bit of "sophomore slump" in The Kids Are the Same, it's still a better pop album than most of the bands in the L.A. "skinny tie" brigade were serving up at the time, with real passion and smart songwriting bringing it home; it sure didn't deserve to be the group's last major-label set. [Kids Are the Same was also released as a "Collector's" audiophile CD.] ~ Mark Deming

Product Details

Release Date:	12/04/2012
Label:	Culture Factory
UPC:	0850703003187
Rank:	43640

Tracks

1. That's What Life Is All About
2. Dreaming
3. On the Highway
4. Will You Listen
5. Crying Won't Help
6. The Kids Are the Same
7. Trapped
8. It's Just A Matter of Time
9. Met Her Yesterday
10. I Will Say No

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Paul Collins' Beat   Primary Artist
Paul Collins   Primary Artist,Vocals,Guitar (Rhythm),Guitar
The Beat   Primary Artist
Steve Huff   Bass,Vocals,Bass (Electric)
Prairie Prince   Drums
Dennis Conway   Drums,Percussion
Larry Whitman   Guitar,Vocals,Percussion
Michael Ruiz   Drums,Percussion

Technical Credits

Paul Collins   Composer,Songwriter
Steve Huff   Composer
Bob Seidemann   Photography
Bernie Grundman   Master Clearance,Engineer
Steven Huff   Composer
John Jansen   Recording
Bruce Botnick   Engineer,Producer
Larry Whitman   Composer
Patric Steele   Composer
Tony Lane   Visual Coordinator