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To have liked White Plains in 1970, their most successful year, was desperately sad and untrendy! Underground music was the thing, man, and even to issue a single was considered by many prog rock bands (Led Zepplin the prime example) as a sellout. At the other end of the scale, session musician Tony Burrows was fronting several pop vocal bands (sometimes all in the charts on the same week - must have been murder on Top of the Pops) including White Plains - and also Edison Lighthouse, Brotherhood of Man and novelty group the Pipkins. It doesn't sound too promising, but White Plains made a number of great singles written by some of pop's very best "3-minute" writers, and as a result this album is much much better than you might expect. Compared to most of the American bubblegum bands, these tracks are much stronger and more interesting melodically with lyrics that won't win prizes but are not half as irritating as their American equivalents! Some highlights - "Moment of Madness" - great melody, a single that never charted - Simon Cowell could make a fortune with this song with one of his protoges! "I've Got You on My Mind", got to number 17 in 1970, very unusual melodic structure which still sounds interesting today. "Every little move she makes" - a great ballad, not so great "whey hey hey" shouted interuptions to the vocals, but another song which something could be done with today. Lots more good songs add up to an excellent CD from a group which, nearly 40 years later, you can admit to liking without the shameful looks from your fellow prog rock fans - most of whom are probably still in rehab so don't need to be made aware of your weaknesses for good unpretentious pop!!!!Read full review
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