May 2005 - Uncut magazine review

The Colours Out Of Time - Stroll Upon The Wall Of Sound
Grand Theft Audio
****
Teardrop Explode contemporaries finally make it to CD.

Fondly remembered for turning Liverpool's Julian Cope-run Club Zoo into a cathedral of feedback and silence, Crewe's Colours Out Of Time were ahead of the psychedelic revival when they emerged in the late'70's. With heart on sleeve influences- Stooges, Quicksilver Messenger Service and Byrds - and thrilling rock songs like "Rock Section" and "She Spins" they went virtually unnoticed between the '80 and '82 period, predating the Paisley Underground scene soon to kick off in the States. This 15 track collection of Peel sessions and singles on the obscure label Monsters in Orbit (unfortunately they never released an album) belatedly proves that, given the odd slice of luck, they really could have been significant contenders.

MAX BELL

The Colours Out Of Time

'Stroll Upon The Wall Of Sound'

The new compilation album from The Colours Out Of Time released on Grand Theft Audio and available initially by mail order from Headline Records (Los Angeles) and other distributors. Visit these sites for more details - http://securearea.org/headlinerecords/shoppingcart/ or http://www.interpunk.com Its also available at APS Records and CDs, Earle St Crewe.

A Brief History:

Crewe, England early 1977 - Andy and Rene form TV Eye and along with Mick Taylor, Andy (Bucko) Buckley and Steve Palmer they churn out Stooges, Ramones and Velvet Underground numbers to anyone who will listen at local venues, occasionally weathering verbal and even physical threats at a debut gig in Manchester. They are eventually joined by Dave (MD) on lead guitar in late '77. With a nucleus of Rene, Dave, Andy and Bucko they record their first session at Central Sound in Manchester from which the Rock Section EP is cut. After one or two name and personnel changes they eventually become The Colours Out Of Time; Rene, Dave and Andy locate two other necessarily intelligent musicians on the same wavelength - John Durrant and Phil Bourne. A second EP released on 'Monsters in Orbit', a John Peel session and impressive live shows continue to receive critical acclaim.
However this is not enough to prevent the break up of the band...

You can read the full story in the extensive booklet included with the CD.

Track Listing:

1. Rock Section
2. Mambo Girls
3. Dancing With Joy
4. My Life Forever
5. I'm Never Cool In My Room (54321)
6. Risk Of Love
7. Listen To Me Now
8. The Waiting
9. Asylum
10. I'm Never Cool In My Room (54321)
11. Diamonds
12. Landscape Of Dreams
13. She Spins
14. As If Another World
15. The Ocean

The Colours Out Of Time were...

Steve Reynolds - Lead Vocals.
Dave (MD) Robbins - Lead, 12 and 6 String Gtrs, Bass, Vox Continental, Vcls.
Andy Pennance - Gtrs, Bass, "Psaltery and 16 other instruments..."
Phil Bourne - Bass Guitar.
John Durrant - Drums.

Andy Buckley - Keyboards, Drums (left group after first single).

The CD includes material from the two EP's that we released in 81/82 and the John Peel session from 1981.

Contact the band at coloursoutoftime@hotmail.com

Also you can visit - http://www.headheritage.co.uk/unsung/reviews/index.php?review_id=183

Check out the record label Grand Theft Audio - http://www.grandtheftaudiorecords.com/

The Colours at a Manchester photo shoot (1981). From left to right, Phil, Steve, Andy, John, Dave.
"They're like a wild beauty to JoyDivision's majestic beast; they may lack nobility but they still have that lethal bite"
(Mick Duffy NME 1981)


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Steve (Rene) Reynolds in full flow at the 'Band on the Wall', Manchester 1981.