CUSTERS LAST STAND / OCEAN CITY

Optimistic, in the way Custer was

The first two tracks from Wakeman's "Time machine" album, released in single format. "Custer's last stand" is an up tempo number, which has a sound similar to that created by Wakeman on the "1984" album. Roy Wood (MOVE, ELO, WIZZARD) takes lead vocals, his distinctive voice being instantly recognisable, if slightly out of place. It has to be said that putting this out a single was somewhat optimistic. It's a good album track, but it doesn't really stand out as hit single material.

The B-side is "Ocean city", a softer ballad featuring the gritty voiced John Parr ("St Elmo's fire") on vocals. Buy the "Time machine album" instead.

The first track here, "Custer's Last Stand" features Roy Wood of The Move and The Electric Light Orchestra on vocals. Since it was the 80's this really does have a sort of "feel" of it's times. This track really reminds me of something by The Alan Parsons Project- pop/proggy/rock. Interesting keyboards throughout, but as I said before, somewhat dated. The second track, "Ocean City" is more of a ballad than a rocker, which "Custer's Last Stand" was. Nothing bad, just nothing really special. Neither song really strikes me as big single material, and I don't think they did that great on release. Taken from TIME MACHINE, 1988. 2 stars