Liverpool Express
The Best of Liverpool Express

(Every Man)

First Appeared at The Music Box, August 2003, Volume 10, #8

Written by John Metzger

In the 1970s, Liverpool Express scored several huge hits in the U.K. as well as across Europe and in South America. In fact, the group’s arrival in Brazil launched a bout of hysteria similar to The Beatles’ famed introduction to New York City. Yet, Liverpool Express never made it in America, and after three albums, the band called it quits. For the first time, the group’s music is featured on CD, and The Best of Liverpool Express culls an assortment of tracks from each of the its efforts. The result, however, is largely the same. Liverpool Express was undeniably short on originality, and its tunes virtually copied the sonic palette of The Beatles and Paul McCartney’s Wings. Granted, it was not the only group to use such a formula; Electric Light Orchestra, its counterpart, followed the same path but found a way to make its songs sound fresh. Nevertheless, it’s hard to resist the buoyant McCartney-esque pop of So Here I Go Again or the Revolver-era strings that adorn Margie. In 1991, McCartney lent credibility to the band by telling the BBC that Liverpool Express’ Every Man Must Have a Dream was one of his all-time favorite songs. Then again, he also had the gumption to reverse the songwriting credits from Lennon-McCartney to McCartney-Lennon on his latest album, which goes to show just how self-obsessed he can be.

Ratings

1 Star: Pitiful
2 Stars: Listenable
3 Stars: Respectable
4 Stars: Excellent
5 Stars: Can't Live Without It!!

Copyright © 2003 The Music Box