After The Fire

This is a tricky one guys!

After The Fire release a magical symphonic progressive album entitled Signs Of Change in 1978. Thereafter their career takes a huge u-turn, and they turn into a pop / post-punk band enjoying a certain amount of chart success, most notably with a cover of the hit single Der Kommissar.

Should a band be included on the basis of a single album.....I believe so. If not, the discerning readers (listeners) of this great website may never get the opportunity to become acquainted with a great (yet little known) gem from the late 70s. Here we go then.......

Signs Of Change - After The Fire

Band Members

Peter Banks - Hammond C3, mini Moog, Crumar Multiman, piano & vocals
Andy Piercy - Electric guitars, acoustic guitars, lead vocals & tambourines
Nick Battle - Bass guitar & vocals
Ivor Twiddell - Drums

This debut album, is definitely right out of the symphonic prog catalogue. I discovered this album whilst at University in the mid 80s, found a (somewhat rare) vinyl version of it in Rockpile Records in Dundee, and thereafter survived on a 'cassette recorded' version for over 20 years.

I was delighted to discover that the band were re-issuing the album on CD a couple of years ago, and snapped it up.

Original LP

• Disc - Total time 42:04

Side 1

1. "Dance of the Marionette" –07:00
2. "Back to the Light" –04:30
3. "Now That I've Found" –08:10

Side 2

1. "Signs of Change" –08:04
2. "Jigs" –02:58
3. "Pilgrim" –11:22

The CD version also contains 4 additional bonus tracks.

CD

• Disc - Total time 74:46

1. "Dance of the Marionette" –07:00
2. "Back to the Light" –04:30
3. "Now That I've Found" –08:10
4. "Signs of Change" –08:04
5. "Jigs" –02:58
6. "Pilgrim" –11:22
7. "Samaritan Woman" –11:01
8. "Dreamaway" –09:50
9. "Hallelujah" –06:31
10. "Back to the Light" –05:09 (demo version)

Release details

• 1977, UK, Rapid Records, released 1978, LP
• 2005, UK, RoughMix, released January 2005, CD (with bonus tracks)

With the exception of 'Jigs', which must be considered a 'filler' all the tracks are characterised by lavish 'old style' hammond keyboards, excellent guitar work, and time changes galore. This music is absolutely unlike anything else you would ever hear from this band. Highlights are 'Dance of the Marionette', 'Now That I've Found' and the epic 'Pilgrim'.

One drawback I'll point out is that the production / sound quality, even on the CD version is not up to modern day standards. 

It is my contention, that based on this album alone, After The Fire are prime candidates for inclusion in ProgArchives. Do yourself a favour, and give this album a try....and please.....someone get them added to the Archives!

To finish off, a review taken from Amazon, where the album is 5 star rated:

'This is a magnificent album that first appeared in the late 70s, released on the band's own label. It differs in style from their later stuff in that it is far more progressive and not remotely "new wave", but it has a following all of its own and is a truly classic album. The fact that the vinyl release still changes hands for over £100 on the internet is testament to it's quality.
This new version includes the original album, plus 4 previously unreleased tracks which add over 30 minutes to the running time! They follow the same style as the album, so if you love that, you will certainly be pleased with this release. Remastered, in a nice package that includes insights from band members, this is a long overdue release which won't disappoint.'

well that should be interesting..  just ordered it BTW, damn imports 

Don't turn around...uh oh...ja ja...der kommisar's in town well, uh oh. 

Seriously, Signs of Change is a great prog album, minus the horrendous production.  And as someone else pointed out, it's like a completely different band from the one who had that string of early 80's hits.  I always wondered what the  happened there.  And never actually bothered to look up why they so completely changed their sound. 

Good to hear