Life - Hands Of The Clock/ Ain't I Told You Before

 

 

 

Montreal rockers with intricate, melodic single

 

Label: Polydor

Year of Release: 1969

 

The Canadian music scene - and particularly the Quebec and Newfoundland ends of it - seems strangely isolated at times, even to this day. Most Europeans would probably assume that having a close proximity to the USA would be a distinct advantage for any up-and-coming Canuck band, but in reality many have had to content themselves with regional airplay and strong local sales which didn't translate to appreciation across the border.

 

Life were one such example. Formed partly from willing members of The Scene after producer and songwriter Neil Sheppard informed them he wanted a Canadian group to record his songs, they got off to a highly ambitious start by dismantling (rather than covering) The Beatles "Strawberry Fields Forever" in 1969. The end results of that particular escapade with either fascinate or horrify you, but perhaps inevitably it wasn't a hit. 

The Sheppard penned "Hands Of The Clock" followed that release and sounds like a much more realistic proposition and performed more convincingly commercially, climbing to number 19 in the Canadian charts. Filled with quivering vocals, explosive brass lines and ambitious arrangements, it's thoughtful and progressive with neat, sharp hooks punctuating the rush of ideas. 

The group would go on to support Steppenwolf and generate huge media attention for being the first local band to play a major show at the Montreal Forum, but the follow-up single "Sweet Lovin'" didn't build on the success, and nor did their LP "Life". The group rapidly disintegrated and went their separate ways.

The members consisted of Barry Albert on guitar, drummer Marty Simon, bass player Danny Zimmerman and Michael Ship (Neil Sheppard's brother) on vocals and keyboards. Marty would later go on to work with Brian Eno, Mick Jagger, Jimmy Page and Celine Dion, while Sheppard became a successful songwriter for other artists including Love Unlimited and The Everly Brothers.

If you can't preview the tracks below, please go right to the source.