Graham Parker & The Rumour
The Up Escalator

THE REVIEW

If you mess up this record, I'm gonna be pissed. I've listened to it thousands of times. I lent it for a party and they stole it from me. I bought it again in one of the very last vinyl reissues on the market. 

This record is a force of nature. Pub-rock?? What the hell are you talking about? This Englishman is the father of all those half-asses and half-babes who've been mimicking rock for 30 years. This one is his masterpiece. I agree with those who pointed out "Heat Treatment" and "Howlin Wind" as great records, especially the former (real records, not CDs). There's even "Squeezing Out Sparks" but Escalator is much better for me.

The producer Jimmy Iovine also contributed to the masterpiece. I pointed out "The Up Escalator" to a friend who told me he preferred USA music (not without reason) and he went crazy. A torment, every time he saw me, he was always bugging me about this Graham Parker. If you find a sample, listen to "Endless Night", maybe in the background you'll recognize Bruce Springsteen's voice or "Manouvres".

I listened to it again after 29 years and this record still has the same effect on me, I remain amazed by its beauty. And there's also a track that goes "Stupefaction". Boh .... maybe tastes are tastes, who knows ..... By the way, can we give 6 stars? 

Alex