A Promise Is a Promise
1988 studio album by Lyres
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A Promise Is a Promise is an album by the American band Lyres, released in 1988.[2][3] A band timeline constructed by Pete Frame that was included in the gatefold claimed that the album was recorded by the 13th lineup of the Lyres.[4][5] The cassette and CD versions of the album added seven songs.[5]
| A Promise Is a Promise | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||
| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 1988 | |||
| Genre | Garage rock | |||
| Label | Ace of Hearts[1] | |||
| Producer | Richard W. Harte | |||
| Lyres chronology | ||||
| ||||
The Lyres supported the album with a North American tour.[6] The band broke up briefly after finishing the tour.[7] A Promise Is a Promise was reissued by Matador Records in 1998.[8]
Production
The album was produced by Richard W. Harte.[9] Some of the songs were recorded live during a European tour.[10] Stiv Bators sang on "Here's a Heart".[11] "Witch" is a cover of the Sonics song.[12]
Critical reception
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| AllMusic |   [11] |
| All Music Guide to Rock | [13] |
| MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide |  [9] |
| Southport Visiter | 3/10[14] |
| Martin C. Strong | 5/10[15] |
Trouser Press stated: "Dispensing with most of the dated stylization for about as modern a sound as a group with prominent Vox organ can get, the energy-spewing album drags in spots but blasts off in others."[4] The Boston Globe concluded that the album "plays as a set of important throwaways, which, let's face it, is a rather central premise of disposable pop music ... [singer Jeff] Conolly's idea is to bash out the fury—or the occasional hope—and move on to the next slab-of-life dilemma."[5]
The Washington Post determined that "the singer/keyboardist's passion is both the appeal and the point of bluesy stompers like 'Sicked and Tired'—and it's swaggeringly infectious."[6] The Orlando Sentinel noted that, "with wheezing, cheesy organ riffs and grinding guitar chords, the Lyres from Boston embrace the style of '60s garage rock with an '80s twist."[16] The Telegram & Gazette thought that the Lyres give "down-home garage melodies a punk soul."[17]
AllMusic wrote that "despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic."[11] MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide panned the "lo-fi" live tracks.[9]
Track listing
| No. | Title | Length |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Here's a Heart" | |
| 2. | "On Fyre" | |
| 3. | "Every Man for Himself" | |
| 4. | "Feel Good" | |
| 5. | "I'll Try You Anyway" | |
| 6. | "Worried About Nothing" | |
| 7. | "Touch" | |
| 8. | "Running Through the Night" | |
| 9. | "She's Got Eyes That Tell Lies" | |
| 10. | "Jagged Time Lapse" | |
| 11. | "Knock My Socks Off" | |
| 12. | "Sick and Tired" | |
| 13. | "Trying Just to Please You" | |
| 14. | "Witch" |