Since disbanding the ambitious and highly experimental
Wizzard, new records from
Roy Wood have been frustratingly sporadic. With an artist of his stature, any release is noteworthy, even if it may not be as groundbreaking as
Wizzard's Brew.
Starting Up is one of
Wood's true solo albums where, other than the strings on one song, he sings, plays, and arranges every part.
Wood's prodigious talents in the other areas help compensate for material that isn't consistently among his best. The unconventional instrumentation -- from oboes to bagpipes -- that distinguished other
Wood records is absent, lending most of the album a conventional mid-'80s rock sound. A heavy dose of drum machine and dance beats on tracks like "Starting Up" and "Hot Cars" demonstrate
Wood's ability to work in virtually any genre he chooses. Other than a smoking sax section on "Hot Cars," though, none of the dance-oriented tracks stands with his best material. More satisfying cuts include "Red Cars Are After Me," featuring a trademark
Wood saxophone hook and guitar break, and "Raining in the City," with a smooth '60s sound reminiscent of "This Is the Story of My Love" from his Introducing Eddy & the Falcons album. As a foray into contemporary rock,
Starting Up is only partially successful. Still, there are enough solid additions to the
Wood songbook to make the album worthwhile. ~ James A. Gardner