Malcolm & The Mirrors - Red Alert

Published Wednesday 27th June 2007
Malcolm & The Mirrors - Red Alert
Malcolm & The Mirrors - Red Alert

STYLE: Rock
RATING 8 8 8 8 8 8 8 8
OUR PRODUCT CODE: 28762-VTI736
LABEL: A&S AS0004
FORMAT: 12 inch vinyl Album

Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

In the '70s Malcolm Wild had been the Malcolm half of the Jesus music pioneers Malcolm & Alwyn. After the duo split in 1976, he disappeared for a while and got into other types of ministry until he re-emerged in 1982 with some Californian musicians, Malcolm & The Mirrors, and this album seems determined to do some more work in reaching "the kids". It's '80s eschatological rock with all the usual subtexts of the era including fear of the bomb and Malcolm's continued focus on the return of Christ. What you get musically is some edgy rock on tracks like "Gotta Give", "She's Gonna Go Through Changes" and the title cut. You get the edginess and humour of "Paint Your Windows White" which includes some great Gary Numan type synth work. "Where Did The Love Go" is mid-paced but has that memorable hook that Malcolm was always great at writing and the obligatory power guitar solo. The anthemic guitar propelled "Can't Live Without Him" is the catchiest thing on this album whilst "Alright By Me" is a cool way to end things. This is '80s rock with plenty of bite, lyrics designed to intrigue and challenge and plenty of catchy tunes all topped by Wild's great singing and multi-tracked vocal harmonies.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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Reader Comments

Posted by David A. in East Texas @ 22:06 on Sep 14 2010

This is one great album ! Can anyone list a download site for it ? I note a LOT of old out of print CCM albums are on download these days - but this is one I've not seen. I had the cassette but it died at least 15 years ago !

God bless Malcolm & everyone !

David A.



Posted by Ian Setchell in Andover, Hampshire @ 12:58 on Mar 14 2009

Not only do I have this album, on vinyl, I was presented it by Malcolm himself. I was 21, vehemently anti-christian, and attending Bradford and Ilkley Community College, Ilkley in 1983. That autumn The Mirrors were touring the uk and their support bant, Rent Party, played the student union. After the gig, some people from my course were discussing (argueing) faith with Malcolm and the bands. I stuck my nose in and ended up going head to head with Malcolm until about 3 in the morning. I have never forgotton it. We agreed to differ and he gave me Red Alert and tickets to the gig in Skipton a couple of days later. But it wasn't until 3 years ago I became a Christian. The gig was great, they rocked, and I played the album quite a lot over the years.


Reply by Robert Thomason in Darmstadt, Germany @ 13:49 on Oct 19 2011

Hi Ian,

I hope you get this! I just read your comment about the Mirrors tour in the UK on 1983. How exciting that our ministry in those days is STILL BEARING FRUIT. I'm going to send a copy of your comment to Malc. He's pastoring in Florida now. He'll be excited to hear about you and your long road to eterinty! My name is Robert (Bob in those days) Thomason. I was the bassist and backing vocalist with Malc from 81 to 85 when he moved to FLA. If you have any other questions feel free to contact me.

SCOOP (Serving Christ Our Overriding Passion)

Robert

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Posted by Andreas Nilsen in Norway @ 01:53 on Jan 25 2009

This is a classic rock album. My older sister bought it, and I played it to pieces! Lyrics with humour and bite, good sound quality for the day and some killer hooks and riffs. I would love to see more of oldies but goodies like this from the early christian rock era become available on cd. -Or download!



Posted by Robert Thomason in Darmstadt, Germany @ 19:44 on Jan 16 2009

I also liked the album. No wonder, I helped write and arrange some of the songs and was the bassist and backing vocalist who joined the band just AFTER they recorded Red Alert. We toured the UK several times with that album as well as Malc's earlier releases. I'm forever grateful to my friend Malcolm, who introduced me to the UK. I have lots of lifetime friends there now. I'd also like to find it on Disc for my radio show. It's called GospelRock on and can be heard on live-stream on Radio Darmstadt at www.radiodarmstadt.de (in German).

I went on to do my own solo projects incl. Bob Thomason, The Curtain Call, released 1984, also mentioned in the CrossRhythms database.

I'm now married and living in Germany serving as a missionary. I continue doing recording, music ministry as well church planting.

Robert L. Thomason


Reply by Jeni Williams in Manchester England @ 08:31 on Jul 23 2017

Wow Bob Thomason....I loved your songs. You and the guys visited my old fellowship West Street in Rochdale. You stayed quite a while....there was you Greg Mike Minardi Malcolm and Richard Cimino. We were a young group of 4 teenage girls struggling with standing for our faith at school.....so you guys came to our school and we sat and prayed under a tree in front of the church attached to our school. You probably cannot remember....but it meant the world to us girls.Thank you. That was approximately 36 yrs ago. Me and the girls went our separate ways with careers etc ....we met yesterday for the first time in 32 years....and in our manic memory discussions we chatted about the time you guys would play at West Street Cellar. They were special memories....I used to have the albums Red Alert and Curtain Call.....but can't find them....must have gone missing during one of my moves.I must get your album again is it still available? You had an amazing voice and I loved I'm an Island and We shall be changed but my favourite was How I long for that day. Bless you and I hope you are well and happy.
Jeni x

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Posted by Julie Owens in Dallas TX @ 20:51 on Mar 24 2008

I have this album. Been wanting to hear it again. Would love to have it on disc! I was 18 when this came out. Remember a couple of the songs that I just played over and over- and can still hear them in my head now: Can't Live Without Him and Where Did All the Love Go. I am sure that this was not a "big" abum - but I sure enjoyed it! Peace -Julie



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