Transformation
(21st
Century Recordings)
Transformation is a powerful final rock music statement
from a musician who felt he still had plenty more life to live. Mike Peters valiantly
battled cancer for decades but never stopped touring or recording new music. He
finished Transformation early last year but sadly succumbed to the disease
that spring, after an innovative medical treatment failed.
From
1981-91, Peters led the original incarnation of The Alarm, which created
some of the period’s most indelible alt-rock anthems: “68 Guns,” “Where Were
You Hiding (When the Storm Broke),” “Strength,” “Spirit of ’76,” “Rain in the
Summertime” and “Sold Me Down the River,” to name a few.
During the
early 2000s, the passionate Welsh singer/guitarist reinstituted the band name
with a revolving cast of musicians. He was highly prolific in the ensuing years,
often releasing a studio or live album or two every year. I was fortunate to
interview him three times over the entire Alarm/solo career run, and those
chats were some of my most memorable with any musician.
The invigorating
Transformation was produced by longtime Peters associate George Williams,
(who also played bass, keyboards, and effects on a song. The musicians include Mike
Peters (vocals/guitar), his wife Jules Jones Peters (piano/backing vocals), and
Dave Morait (drums), plus Mike and Jules’ son Evan Peters (drums on one song).
“New Life”
- originally intended to be a triumph over Mike Peters beating cancer again –
now has a more poignant meaning. With a glam rock thrust and eerie, clarion
call guitar work, it finds him singing, “100ml of pure life blood/designed for
new life” and later, “I’ll see you in the new life/if not before.”
Similarly,
“Chimera” was planned as a rebirth song upon release in January ‘25 - the exact
day Peters’ CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell) therapy began.
Symbolically encapsulating the Greek mythos of a chimera, which embodies the
characteristics of different animals into one body, Peters thought he would
become like the fabled creature. The intense song is punctuated by keyboards, searing
guitar, and gritty vocals. A combined sense of desperation and optimism infuses
“Outlier,” as Peters ably hammers home the point that he’s a “decider,” “finisher”
and “still here.”
Elsewhere,
“One in a Million” has a rabble-rousing vibe and autobiographical bent. Despite
the realistic lyrics, a harmonious, organ-infused “Soul Town” should put a
smile to any Alarm fan’s face as it seemingly pays tribute to The Jam’s “A Town
Called Malice” (or classic Motown).
The fact
that Transformation has less than 100,000 Spotify streams to date it a
travesty. It is definitely an “all killer, no filler” album that should appeal
to Alarm or Peters solo fans from any era.
Photo courtesy Reybee PR
