The Nolans — Chemistry: The Ultimate Collection
I think the first time I heard & fell in love with the band was with the release of their 1979 hit "I’m In The Mood For Dancing"- as a child I loved the bouncing bright vibe of the track, and as I’ve grown older I’ve come to cherish the tracks perfect blend of 70’s brit pop & campy disco. Though-out the early 80’s I recalling hearing more singles from the band, and enjoying what I heard…but I think my true fandom for the group started in 2009 when the 7’t’s label(another Cherry Red sub-label) reissued the bands first two albums – 1979’s The Noland Sisters & 1980’s Making Waves. Each album highlighted the bands ability to write extremely memorable, campy, and for the most part varied 1970’s/ 80’s brit pop fare. Sure though-out their career they jumped on one bandwagon after another be it Disco, synth pop, Abba like close harmony pop, or soul pop- so they where never really innovators, but what the did have is distinctive charm, a good ear for a tune, and always a sense of campy fun.
The CD takes in twenty tracks, plus a 12” remix. And really (and for my part sadly), it doesn’t follow a chronology path- we open with 1983 single "Dressed To Kill"- which was really when their star started to wane- the tracks a pleasant enough slice of choppy synthy & swinging horned soul-pop, but it’s hardly their finest moment (and at the end of the comp we get the aforementioned 12” remix of said track). Anyway, for me, the comp doesn’t fully kick-in gear until track number three when we get cheeky pop-disco of 1980’s single "Who’s Going To Rock You"- featuring the sister's distinctive harmony vocals. After to this we have, "I’m In The Mood For Dancing"…and on from here the compilation seems to stay pretty much on track. Highlights include the showily & twinkle funk/soul ballad of 1981’s "Don’t Love Me Too Hard". Onto the rather manic-yet brightly cheesy pulsing synthy pop pump of 1980’s "Gotta Pull Myself Together". Or the glossily showy slow disco & funk twang ballad of "Lead Me On"- an album track from Making Waves album- who can’t resist a track with a chorus like “Lead Me On, Tease Me all night long”?.
Moving onto the DVD & we get eight original videos- we open with "I’m In The Mood For Dancing"- which finds the five-piece dressed in a glittery black top & super tight shiny pink trouser combo, doing their stuff with a backdrop of slow flushing disco lights & neon light lines. Onto "Gotta Pull My Self"- which sees the group going from charmingly cheesy yellow jean & T-shirt combo dance, onto shell-suited break-ups by the river, through to the larking about on a decidedly cold looking British beach with the band dressed in all white. Through the Big earrings, moody looks, and bell boy bringing a huge old style finger dial telephone of "Don’t Love Me Too Hard". Really all the videos here are fun snap-shots of when pop it was lot more campy, fun & cheesy.
The set is topped off with a wonderful colorful & glossy twenty-page inlay booklet- taking a new six-page write up about the band's history, key singles, etc- which takes in contributions from Annie Nolan. We also get a host of greatly cheesy single cover artwork, full track details, and publicity pictures.
Aside from early criticism regarding the sequencing & choice of opener Chemistry:The Ultimate Collection is a pretty great Nolands Complation- and if you’ve never checked out the band & are a fan of the 70’s/ 80’s pop- then this is must have. Also, I’d highly recommend the two-disc The Nolands/ Making Waves set from 2009 too, if it’s still in print as there are some great, great album only gems on those too