Author: Gowan

Release Date: 19-05-1994

Details: Amazon.ca Lead-off track "Moonlight Desires," with guest vocals from Yes's Jon Anderson, was this album's hit, and why not? It's got the kind of jaunty new-wave keyboards and catchy melody perfect for a time when Duran Duran, the Cutting Crew and post-Peter Gabriel Genesis were topping the charts. Unfortunately the disc goes pretty much downhill from there as the Glasgow-born, Toronto-based (Lawrence) Gowan unsuccessfully tries to rock out on the wet noodle "Awake the Giant" and capture a "We Are the World" vibe on "Living in the Golden Age." Except for the odd moment, such as the choruses of "One Brief Shining Moment" and the title track, the record inevitably collapses under the weight of its sweeping synths and grandiose sentiments. The good news is, with keyboard sounds this dated, guitar this cheesy, and lyrics this obvious ("Life ain't like your daydream"--thanks for the insight), Great Dirty World's new-wave/prog-rock pretensions could, theoretically at least, be worthy of a whole new level of ironic appreciation during the next Flock of Seagulls/Haircut 100/Howard Jones revival. Gowan would eventually reclaim his given name and join a revived Styx as singer and keyboardist. --Shawn Conner

UPC: 074644075427

EAN: 0074644075427

Binding: Audio CD

Item Condition: UsedVeryGood