Thursday, May 20, 1999

Review : The Alarm : King Biscuit Flower Hour

King Biscuit: The Alarm
1999 King Biscuit Records

By Steve Fulton


There has always been a huge gap in album catalog from
the Welsh band The Alarm: a scorching live album. Sure, the band recorded
two of the best rock albums of the 80's (1984's "Declaration",
and 1985's "Strength"), but
hearing The Alarm "in-the-studio" was only half the story.
In it's time The Alarm's live performances were nothing
short of legendary.  They didn't merely "take-the-stage" but more
accurately "held it hostage", blasting their unique mix of
acoustic guitars, stomping rhythms, and fiery vocals to a frantic and
amazed audience left gasping for breathe and screaming for more.
The band released an the E.P. in 1988 called "Electric Folklore: Live", but that 6 song
disappointment did more to show how The Alarm's troubles
as unit in the late 80's than display their sheer
magnificence as a live band.