The Outsiders - Close Up (Reissue) (2012)

Adrian Borland, was singer/guitarist and main songwriter with The Sound, a band which between 1979 and 1987 released seven albums that never failed to be at the very least full of passion and raw emotion. They made their debut in 1979 with the "Physical World" e.p, but it wasn't until the release of the "Jeopardy" album in 1980 that it became clear how special the band was. Two more albums for WEA followed, "From The Lions Mouth" and the problematic - but brilliant - "All Fall Down", which resulted in the band leaving the label. Indie label Statik signed the band and released "Shock Of Daylight" and "Heads & Hearts" along with the double live album "In The Hothouse". A move to the Belgium based Play It Again Sam brought with it the band's final album the defiant "Thunder Up". They disintegrated at the end of 1987, leaving a small but fervent band of followers mourning their loss.

Luckily Adrian continued with a solo career that whilst different in many ways to The Sound, still displays all the rare qualities that made them such a loved band. Adrian released five solo albums, first together with his new backing band The Citizens, later on his own. In 1989 he released "Alexandria" and in 1992 the wonderful "Brittle Heaven", an album that really threatens to rival his previous work, being a collection of richly emotional songs, with all the twists and turns you find in music that really draws the listener in. The third album "Beautiful Ammunition" released in 1994, was Adrian's first real solo album and contains 'Re-United States of Love' which some would say is one of the finest love songs ever written. "Cinematic" released a year later, was similar in tone, but a shade lighter as a 90's feel began to seep into his work. Also in 1995 he brought out his first cd with White Rose Transmission, his congenial collaboration with Carlo van Putten from The Convent.

His following solo record "5:00 A.M." - released in 1997 - was again a link to his most successful time and pours scorn on all those that herald the death of the guitar and of song-crafting. The album contains a plethora of genuinely great songs and sensitive, perceptive moments. If you're already familiar with the work of The Sound then you will be genuinely overjoyed with this album. Without merely echoing past glories "5:00 A.M." re-establishes the qualities for which the band has become renowned and successfully places them in a contemporary setting, making this an ideal staring point for the uninitiated. His last finished work is the second White Rose Transmission album "700 Miles Of Desert", which was recorded in Bremen between November 1998 and February 1999. Adrian was also active as a producer for bands such as Felt, Dole, Into Paradise, Red Harvest, Steve Lake, Cassell Webb and The Prudes. In the words of Pierre Perone, Adrian was:"intense, intelligent, talkative and yet a sensitive soul prone to melancholy. Sadly, Adrian often fell into deep depression, lyrics from his last compositions hint at his gloomy state of mind before he took his own life on April 26 1999."

Adrian's albums showcased the unflinching honesty and sensitivity that was his forte. In the end it was maybe that self-same sensitivity that made life just too painful for Adrian. He'll be missed ...