Airrace - Shaft of Light
Rock Candy Records
www.rockcandyrecords.com
Rating: C
The main reason there is any interest in Airrace is the fact
that Jason Bonham, son of Led Zeppelin drummer John Bonham, was
a member of the band. The younger Bonham was brought into the
fold for obvious reasons. The band was managed by Zep's manager
Peter Grant. While on paper it looked like a hell of an event
was getting ready to place, the truth of the matter was that
Grant was declining in interest in the music scene. Even the
addition
of Bonham could not lift the group to the status I am sure they
figured was coming their way.
The business of music is a funny thing. Before the album was
released, the group switched labels and promises to make them
stars began sounding like fading echoes in a deep cavern. The
promises turned out to be empty, however, not all the blame can
be placed on the biz, Peter Grant or the fickle record buying
public. Truth is that Airrace were not as good as their hype.
Even the reissue liner notes liken them to band like Journey and
Foreigner when in truth the songs pale in comparison.
The bottom line here is that despite the catchy hooks found on
"I Don't Care," "Do You Want My Love Again" and "Not Really Me"
Airrace just didn't quite have it. Couple that with the fact
that this was 1984 and the arena bands were giving way to the
skinny tie bands and you have one really big fish totally out of
water. Zep completists and fans of Jason Bonham will want to
check this band out. The music is average at best. I am
prepared for many to disagree with me and say Airrace were the
next 'shudda been.' Agree to disagree.
By Jeb Wright
