After The Fire - ATF

Released in 1982

After the Fire was a short-lived British pop/new wave band that became one of the numerous one-hit wonders of the 1980's with their cover of Falco's Der Kommissar. But unlike most of their peers, After the Fire didn't necessarily deserve this status since their synth-pop was both consistent and catchy.

ATF was a compilation album featuring most of their early 80's work, with some late 70's tracks thrown in too. You can't really call the album a greatest hits album since they technically possessed just one major hit, but the quality of their work puts this compilation around the same level as most 80's pop band's greatest hits collections.

Some of the album highlights are:

• Der Kommissar – The track responsible for the band's short-lived spike in popularity. They took Falco's attractive pop gem, infused it with some rock and converted it to English – a recipe for instant success.
• Laser Love – A happy little ditty with a snappy rhythm and catchy chorus.
• Dancing in the Shadows – This was as close to a second hit as the band came. It scraped the U.S. charts at number #85, but didn't possess the legs to become a genuine commercial success.

It's a cruel reality within the music world that widespread commercial success manages to elude countless talented musicians, and this is a fate that After the Fire also suffered. Despite their one-hit status, pop and new wave fans would do well to give this album a listen since it's a solid eighties gem.

Rating: 8 stars

Track List Laser Love One Rule For You Dancing in the Shadows Sometimes Sailing Ship Carry Me Home Frozen Rivers Love Will Always Make You Cry Starflight Der Kommissar 1980-F

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