Dream Command - Fire On The Moon (1990)

Despite being a great indie band, The Comsat Angels first three albums failed to live up to record label Polydor's expectations, and so they let the band go. They quickly signed with Jive Records and recorded 1983's 'Land', which had a more commercial, new wave-oriented feel, but still retained their instantly recognisable sound. The album included the single 'Will You Stay Tonight?', which had some success on US radio, and so consolidating on this their next album '7 Day Weekend' moved towards a more pop-oriented trend, although despite aiming for chart success it also failed to make an impact, and Jive dropped them. While without a label, the band found a fan and supporter in fellow Yorkshireman Robert Palmer, who was at the height of his popularity at this point in the 1980's, and he facilitated the group's signing to Island Records. He served as executive producer for their next album 'Chasing Shadows' and even sang on one song, with the music on that album being viewed as a return to the band's dark, brooding roots. For the follow-up, the band talked Island into letting them build their own studio, and the music they recorded was squarely aimed at AOR radio. Possibly because of pressure from Island, or the on-going dispute with the Communications Satellite Corporation, who claimed they owned the name Comsat, the band changed their name to Dream Command for the release of 1990's 'Fire On The Moon'. Neither the band nor their label were entirely happy with the album, and so it was only released in small quantities in the US and the Netherlands, and the band never performed live with the name, or used it again afterwards. They reverted back to being The Comsat Angels in 1991 and released three more albums, before finally disbanding in late 1995. The Dream Command album has remained a well-kept secret, but I don't think it's anywhere near as bad as it's been made out to be, and it deserves a listen by fans of the band, so here it is.  

Track listing

01 Celestine
02 Whirlwind
03 Sleepwalking
04 Reach For Me
05 Ice Sculpture
06 Venus Hunter
07 Phantom Power
08 Transport of Delight
09 She's Invisible
10 Mercury