Gleaming Spires: “Walk On Well Lighted Streets” (1983/2021) CD Review

Gleaming Spires were basically a duo for their first release, Songs Of The Spires, but by the time of the release of the band’s second album, Walk On Well Lighted Streets, they had added members Bob Haag and Jimbo Goodwin, and so the sound was somewhat different, somewhat fuller. The album came out in 1983, the same year as R.E.M.’s Murmur, U2’s War, The Police’s Synchronicity, and that great first album from Violent Femmes. We sometimes think of the 1980s as a decade of cheesy, harmless, fun pop music, but a lot of interesting albums were released during that time. And Gleaming Spires certainly had a knack for writing material that was different from the usual fare, with more engaging lyrics. That second album is now being re-issued in an expanded edition, which features nine bonus tracks and extensive liner notes, including interviews with the band’s two founding members, David Kendrick and Leslie Bohem.

The album opens with “Mining,” an excellent pop song with a delicious rhythm. I really like David Kendrick’s work on drums, and that is a big part of the reason for my love for this song. Though, as with most of this band’s material, the lyrics are a major part of the appeal. Check out these lines: “I had to go, had to go down mining on my own/I have dark passions to subdue/My feelings to suppress when I am mining.” There is a cool jam in the second half. It’s an excellent opening track, and is followed by “You’re Right,” which as a more serious tone, a song about identity. Check out these lines: “I’m just the kind made to stand in the wings/Nervously watching for some little thing to go wrong/Something always goes wrong.” Yes, if you watch for things to go wrong, go wrong they will, which somehow validates your initial worry. As for compelling lyrics, here is a taste from “Big Surprise”: “I’m tortured and twisted and guilty and small/Catholic and married and that isn’t all/I can’t even pick myself up when I fall/And now I’ve got something for you.” Yeah, even if the chorus has the sound of a normal 1980s pop song, the lyrics help this song stand apart. “You’ve got a brand new wardrobe/But that won’t help you hide/I’m bringing you instant depression/To use in your everyday life.”

The album’s title track, “Walk On Well Lighted Streets,” has a wonderful dance vibe, with hints of darkness to keep things interesting. “Look twice at everyone you meet/You hear laughter in the dark/It’s someone eating someone’s heart/It’s best to play it smart, polite and sweet/And walk on well lighted streets.” Here they are poking fun at that sort of paranoid advice we were given as kids, that idea that there were monsters everywhere, just waiting for a chance to snatch us. Though these days I can see a bit of where that advice was coming from. That’s followed by “Fun Type,” which has a wild power and energy, the kind of song that makes you want to hurl yourself against a wall. “Some say we live in hell/And the time for fun is ended.” “A Christian Girl’s Problems” is another unusual pop song. The music is fun, this is one you can dance to, but the lyrics are delightfully different. Here is a taste: “There are pills that make you lurid/They take you up to heaven/There are words you’ve never said/And now it’s time to say them.” “At Together” is also a strange one, an intriguing song with a rather cheerful-sounding chorus, but a darkness to the verses, ending with Les Bohem repeating “My home is empty.” The original album concludes with “Yes I Can,” a lively number inspired by Sammy Davis Jr. (Les Bohem talks about that in the liner notes).

Bonus Tracks

This disc contains nine bonus tracks, the first six coming from Party E.P., which was released in 1984, and the remaining three from films. Party E.P. begins with a goofy and enjoyable song titled “Funk For Children,” and yes it is funky, and yes it has children singing. It maybe goes on a tad too long, but that’s okay. There is an even longer version a little later on, but we’ll get to that in a moment. “Funk For Children” is followed by “Does Your Mother Know,” a rock number that feels like summer with that guitar hook. Then “Christine” tells the simple story of a boy who wants to cheat on his girlfriend with her friend, but is afraid of that girl’s boyfriend. Things get funky again with “Brain Button,” which, as you might guess from its title, has some odd lyrics. These, for example: “My trick head explodes/At my command.” But, yeah, if this song came on while I was at a club, I would definitely hit the floor. It’s longer than “Funk For Children,” but does not feel too long. The second side of the EP includes longer versions of both “Funk For Children” and “Brain Button,” because… well, why not? This version of “Brain Button” makes me want to dance even more.

“It’s Kinda Like The Movies” is a song recorded for the 1984 movie Bad Manners (which features Martin Mull and Karen Black in its cast), and up to now was left unreleased. No soundtrack for that movie? This is the only previously unreleased track on this disc. “And my hand’s on your knee/And you’re looking at me/Then you look at the screen/Then you look back at me.” By the way, Sparks recorded the main theme song for that movie, “Growing Pains” (Growing Pains was the film’s original title). The final two songs are from another 1984 movie, Revenge Of The Nerds, which stars Robert Carradine and Anthony Edwards. The first is the full-band version of “Are You Ready For The Sex Girls?” The original version of the song was included on the band’s first album. I think I prefer the original version, but both are good. This one is slightly longer. The second is “All Night Party,” which is from the scene where the nerds throw a party, and it is not quite a success. “Our luck is turning/No one leaves here alone.” Actually, come to think of it, “Are You Ready For The Sex Girls?” is in that scene too.

CD Track List

1. Mining
2. You’re Right
3. Big Surprise
4. Walk On Well Lighted Streets
5. Fun Type
6. A Christian Girl’s Problems
7. Happy Boy
8. At Together
9. The Making Love Project
10. Yes I Can
11. Funk For Children
12. Does Your Mother Know?
13. Christine
14. Brain Button
15. Funk For Children (Part II)
16. Brain Button (Part II)
17. It’s Kinda Like The Movies
18. Are You Ready For The Sex Girls? (Full Band Version)
19. All Night Party

This expanded version of Walk On Well Lighted Streets is scheduled to be released on September 17, 2021 through Omnivore Recordings. On that same date, expanded editions of Gleaming Spires’ Songs Of The Spires and Welcoming A New Ice Age will also be released.