ACTION NOW
All Your Dreams...And More 1981-84 (Avebury)
Reviewed by Alan Wright

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Previous to the Pandoras, Pierce had played lead guitar and sang backup vocals in a Mod-influenced band called Action Now, who put out one impossible-to-find LP which included the original version of "Stop Pretending," and was also produced in part by Bill Inglot. With a fair amount of Who/Small Faces/Creation/Eyes influence, Direct Hits were a somewhat different proposition than the Pandoras, but a lot of fun nonetheless. Paula's prowess on the guitar is shown off to great effect with her talent for Pete Townsend-style powerchords and freakbeat distortion. This CD includes all of their lone album, full of tasty originals like "Then & Now," "When Wednesday Comes" and "See If You Can," plus a cool version of the Outsiders' 'I'm Not Trying To Hurt You." The reissue adds their contribution to the Rodney On The ROQ, Vol. 3 compilation, "I Try," plus a bunch of live tracks, including an early version of the Pandoras classic "Anyone But You," featuring Paula on lead vox. They also do a killer version of Bobby Fuller's "Never To Be Forgotten." Great stuff!

[Pick this up at www.aveburyrecords.com.]

© 2004 - Alan Wright