NIK KERSHAW - Ei8ht (2012)

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Months ago we presented here the expanded, remastered edition of NIK KERSHAW's Human Racing, one of the most representative albums of the '80s sounds.
Apart from being achieved platinum sales and chart hits, the man was more than a one hit wonder, on the contrary, a talented songwriter and skillful musician.
After his eighties success, Nik focused on working together with other stars writing and arranging, returning to the front scene of the music industry in 1998 and has just released his eight studio album entitled "Ei8ht".

"Ei8ht" doesn't attempt to replicate his past glory, it shows off Kershaw's creativity and writing skills by presenting a very diverse range of songs. Whilst the album doesn't really tell a story as a whole, each individual track does, this is kind of what songwriting used to be about.
Good songwriters don't usually lose their knack overnight, and Kershaw proves that as he gets on this particular bike once more. Each of these songs is a self-contained unit, not exactly pushing the boundaries of the conventional rock&pop song but well constructed and planting a kernel at the same time.
Many of the songs grow in to earworms, which by the third or fourth listen are burned in to the consciousness.

As said, the mix of styles is relatively eclectic considering they are all from the same artist, blending adult rock&pop with melodic lines that are an ear candy.
Nothing beats opening the CD with an uplifting melodious rock&pop stomper, so that's exactly what Nik does. "These Tears" sets an incredible mood for the album, showing straight away what an amazing performer, lyricist and composer Kershaw is.
The first single off the album will be "The Sky’s The Limit" which is a simple yet beautiful song that inspires and shows why Nik is such a master of his craft.
"Rock Of Ages" is the most '80s sounding track in the album with guitars and pace that will remind you the Human Racing era.
Then we have a melodic and poetic journey in "Runaway", a beautiful lyrical masterpiece, one that tugs at your heart strings to the more rocky sounding "You’re The Best" with a chorus that certainly sticks in your head, it will take you on a ride as you try and determine its genre (hint: don't try). A creative achievement with the firm stamp of the ‘Nik Kershaw’ sound throughout.


"Ei8ht" has a feeling of the eighties about it, while at the same time displaying a very 2012 sound. It's a collection of eleven original 'real life' songs combining irresistible melodies with sharp, intelligent lyrics.
A record that delivers passionate songs with warm choruses to soulful and more emotionally charged tunes as well as giving us some stunning vocals, strong rhythms, a few '80s bits and organic guitar riffs.
I don't care musical genres, there is something for everybody in this brilliant, intelligent album from Nik Kershaw and one that deserves to be a huge hit. A truthful voice that sings from the heart, something that shines through on every song.
Not only "Ei8ht" is mature, beautifully crafted album, it's also the perfect reminder why Kershaw has been nominated for three Ivor Novello and four Brit Awards.
Delicious.


01 - These Tears
02 - The Sky's The Limit
03 - Runaway
04 - Shoot Me
05 - Bad Day You're Having
06 - Red Strand
07 - Enjoy The Ride
08 - You're The Best
09 - Stuff
10 - Rock Of Ages
11 - The Bell
12 - The Sky's The Limit (Radio Version-Bronnimann Mix)

Nik Kershaw - Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards and Percussion
Paul Geary - Bass
Erik Rydningen - Drums
Keely & Chesney Hawkes - Backing vocals






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http://www.amazon.co.uk/EI8HT-Nik-Kershaw/dp/B008BR383U

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NIK KERSHAW - Human Racing [Expanded Edition 2CD] (2012)

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OK. This is a site specialized in rock 'n roll, but we can't deny there's many good and interesting music from related genres.
There was a time when pop music was colourful, flamboyant and full of character; the '80s. Actually, our beloved genres such as AOR and Westcoast crossed the thin line between rock and pop in many occasions.

Eighties pop delivered several talented artists in the genre, one of them being the British, Bristol-born NIK KERSHAW.
Kershaw's '84 debut "Human Racing" not only showed his vocal skills and ability to play Guitar, Bass, Keyboards and Percussion, but also Nik's superb songwriting and the terrific production by Peter Collins (Rush, Queensryche, Gary Moore).
The album achieved platinum sales and a nomination for Best Album at the 1985 Brit Awards. Its release was greeted by critical acclaim and praise from the likes of Jimmy Page, Eric Clapton and prompted Elton John to call Kershaw 'one of the best songwriters of a generation'.

Incredibly, "Human Racing" has been totally out of print for a number of years, but now his label is releasing a 2-CD "Expanded Edition" compiled by Nik himself, including the original album digitally re-mastered from the original tapes and an extra CD including 12" mixes and B-sides.
This extra disc features some tracks that have not previously seen digital release, and one that has not been released at all ("Bogart Extended 12″ Remix).
Kershaw took to Twitter recently to praise the quality of the new remastering calling it “FAB-U-LOUS”.

"Human Racing" itself is a product of its time. No doubt about it but listening to it again it's astounding just how good it still is.
Superbly dynamic and brilliantly arranged with an emphasis on melody and hooks. Catchy choruses a-plenty, guitar solos and the customary '80s keyboards and synths.
The four singles released were radio friendly slices of pop/rock that touched on thought provoking lyrics backed up by some memorable tunes.
Many of the remixes that graced the obligatory 12" format of the day are being available on CD for the first time. Typical of the eighties, they re-jigged the tracks, looped various aspects of it and gave it a punchy back beat.
Some of them went on a bit, got a little annoying and probably drove you nuts but listening to them today makes me realise just how superior the sound was to the saturated, compressed and ear-fatiguing trash of today.


Many of you probably never heard about Nik Kershaw. Give to "Human Racing" a try, and also Nik's follow up 'The Riddle', even a bit AOR oriented. You will be pleased.
But regarding this "Human Racing Expanded Edition", the remastering is quite simply brilliant. Nobody is credited in the liner notes but whoever did the job should be proud of their effort.
Amazing clarity and detail, superbly balanced with incredible dynamics. Sounds very faithful to the original vinyl. No ridiculous compression and artificial boosting of levels here, exactly how a good remaster should sound.
Turn it up and be moved by the sound. This is Good.


CD 1: The Album

01 - Dancing Girls
02 - Wouldn't It Be Good
03 - Drum Talk
04 - Bogart
05 - Gone To Pieces
06 - Shame On You
07 - Cloak And Dagger
08 - Faces
09 - I Won't Let The Sun Go Down On Me
10 - Human Racing


CD 2: The B-sides and 12'' mixes

01 - Dancing Girls (Special Hi-Energy 12'' Remix)
02 - Bogart (Extended 12'' Remix) [prev. unreleased]
03 - Monkey Business (B-side)
04 - Shame on You (Remix - 12'' B-side)
05 - Drum Talk (Special Hi-Energy 12'' Remix)
06 - Faces (Simon Boswell Remix)
07 - Dark Glasses (B-side)
08 - Wouldn’t It Be Good (Special Extended 12'' Mix)
09 - Human Racing (Simon Boswell Remix)
10 - She Cries (B-side)
11 - I Won't Let the Sun Go Down on Me (Simon Boswell Remix)
12 - Cloak and Dagger (live at Hammersmith Odeon 1984)



BUY IT !
hmv.com/hmvweb/displayProductDetails.do?sku=520989

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