Peter Frampton

Ernesto Catalan

posted on Sun, 17 Feb 2008 19:20:41

Underrated Classic!

PETER FRAMPTON made a name for himself in the mid 70's for playing such soft rock hits as "show me the way" and "Baby I love your way". In a live setting, Frampton was good at doing the arena rock thing, meaning that he could play harder without sacrificing his poppier side. But when the 80's came in it seems he made some ill advised albums... or so he was told by so called music critics. In 1982 he released "The Art Of Control", an album that displayed a rawer sounding Frampton, aptly adapting to the sounds of the new decade while retaining his songwriting knack. Songs like "I Read The News" or "Back To Eden" have enough hooks and memorable melodies to be huge hits, unfortunately they weren't. "Sleepwalk", for which there even was a rarely seen video, was harder edged Frampton at its best. The album sank without a trace and was panned by the music press. To this day, the album is unavailable on CD. To make matters worse, Frampton himself has chosen to "disown" this album altogether, saying that it was a "commercial mistake". Let me tell you that, if there's any Frampton album that matters besides "Alive" is this one. He sounds fresh and intersting and if radio or press failed to hear the excellence in these songs then it's THEIR loss. I doubt very much that someone forced Frampton to write these songs at gunpoint, so "disowning" your work altogether is almost like disowning one of your kids. "The Art Of Control" is more hard rock 80's than 70's soft rock and if that's not your thing, then you'll do good in staying away from this album. For my money, this is easily my favorite Peter Frampton album. Nuff said!