New Release: The Alarm, Music Television

Four decades of Alarm fans have been painfully aware of singer Mike Peters’ recent cancer battles. The ups and downs have been documented by his wife, Jules. After a healthy patch, Peters was diagnosed with an ultra-rare cancer condition known as Richter’s Syndrome in May, just days before the Live Today Love Tomorrow 45-date tour of the U.S. was to begin. Once again, Peters was thrust back into chemotherapy and will most likely need a stem cell transplant in the very near future. Music Television was to be released at that time, but along with the tour, it was put on hold.

It is out now, and for fans of 80s music, it’s about time. The subtitle of the album reads, “Stepping back into the future.” Appropriate for a man who is simultaneously reminiscing and looking forward to what’s next. The 65-year-old Welsh singer has a lot to be thankful for, with loving and supportive fans around the globe. The album consists of a collection of MTV staples from it’s inception in the early 80s. All wonderful tunes, but not just “cover songs.” Peters has reimagined these tunes as only he can. “Money for Nothing,” the Dire Straits mega hit, is redone with heavier drums and refreshed with harmonica. His voice is strong and smooth (but no Sting backups on this one). The Buggles’ “Video Killed the Radio Star” is a risky venture by anyone, but dang, the band hits a bullseye, with a rockier version and an updated lyric, “AI killed the rock ‘n’ roll star!”

Peters doesn’t just rely on the hits, though. Lesser known songs made the cut including covers of Belouis Some, The Blow Monkeys, and Gene Loves Jezebel. These may not be household names for the Top 40 crowd, but they helped shape much of the decade’s best music. On the Michael Jackson version of “Beat It,” Peters sticks to the script without altering the classic much. Well done. “Don’t Change,” the uplifting 1982 single from INXS is a true gem, here. Dropping the music and exposing Peters’ vocals is used to his advantage, highlighting his still excellent voice.

The Phil Collins hit “In the Air Tonight” is a revelation, brought kicking and screaming into the 21st century. The band play with switching up guitars and keys, but that drum solo is exact. I mean, why would you change it? The definitive new wave stalwart, Modern English‘s “I Melt With You,” has been transformed into a torch song with decreased tempo and increased soul. It may challenge the original. On the David Bowie exemplar “The Man Who Sold the World,” Peters leans toward the Nirvana Unplugged version more than the prototype. A highlight lies in the final 30 seconds of this song when the band breaks into MTV’s original, guitar-heavy theme song. A real surprise and a true rush for those of us who were there in the beginning.

The closing track and sole original tune on the album is a live version of The Alarm’s “Transition.” Here, Peters underscores his emotional journey through recent health crises. The song was recorded live and is a rousing testament to his current outlook on life and his future in music. In it, he reveals, “There’s a line I have to cross tonight / If I want to stay alive and live for a second time.” It’s as if Peters prophesied his current lot some 40 years ago in “The Stand,” “Come on down and meet your maker / Come on down and make the stand.” Mike is making the stand and we’re all here for it.

Further information on music and tour dates for The Alarm can be found on their website.

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