Eddie And The Hot Rods - Life On The Line

Eddie And The Hot Rods - Life On The Line (1977-Island)

The Rods as this band were known as for their first and only top ten hit single and it is track one on this album. "Do Anything You Wanna Do" is an all-out classic punk anthem. With it coming out in the summer of 77 and a switch in sound from the rawer first album you could credit this song and album as the first real punk pop style music. Those bands that came out in the 90s were really just recreating this album for much of the time. But as the first track shows they just have something raw and inspiring in them.

But the single is no one off, as the album has a really nice production job and also was on a decent size record label in Island. Time in the studio is used well and can be heard in “Quit This Town” great riffy guitars and catchy vocals from the single continue, some melodies are even here to show you this band mean business. Unlike many punk bands of the time you really can hear the band play on this album and for me the drums are the winner. A sound like that really can stand tall after so many years and it makes this album sound great over 30 years later. “Telephone Girl” even lets you hear some clear bass lines, not quite at the level of some of the rock greats but it is a nice sound and one that reminds me there is more to playing in the right way.

“Life On The Line” is the title track and a great one with a nice screeching solo in the middle. I think even some AOR fans could switch to this album as there is so much on offer if they are happy to listen carefully. Not so much of the stage posing on offer as punk posturing in a way. It is a sound and feel of a pub rock band who know exactly how to turn a room of drinkers into fans. And that is a great skill, “(And) Don't Believe Your Eyes” feels like a bit of a slower song. More of a sing along song as the hit single was.

But remember how I say this is kind of the first punk pop style album? Well there is a great instrumental on here as well. As the album was released on vinal it was on the b side track one of the album and I am sure that was done for a reason. Make you double look to see if it is the same album? Joke aside “We Sing....The Cross” is a great track. “The Beginning Of The End” continues that negative style of the album and it is hard to ignore even the cover is a big statement. Not sure if it is to do with the record deal and music industry or just an off day. But it is again catchy with real lyrics and over 8 minutes the track on its own is more than most punk bands total output.

So why did the band not make it? I think it was over saturation of the punk market at the time and most really would not have seen much past a punk band here. Such a same as they are a great rock n roll band and this is a really catchy album with great tunes. It feels so much more mature and even now it is a shock to see it was made in 77. Took many punk bands into the post punk and early 80s to move the sound along and they done it in months.

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