Malice in Wonderland

• Artist: Nazareth
• Rating:
• Release Date: 1980
• Type: Lyrics are included with the album
• Genre: Rock

Review

As the 1980s began, Nazareth decided to return to the AOR experimentation they had toyed with during the 1970s on albums like Close Enough for Rock & Roll and Play 'N the Game. They also made a play for AOR viability by hiring West Coast session legend Jeff "Skunk" Baxter to produce the album. However, they managed to retain their identity as a hard rocking group this time out by tempering their pop experimentation with a tougher sound that took advantage of their new dual-guitar lineup. The end result is an album that effectively blends the energy and firepower that fueled Nazareth's best hard rock recordings with a slick, radio-friendly soundscape that is easy on the ears. A good example of this careful balance is the album opener "Holiday," a witty send-up of rich rock & rollers that effectively layers a sing-along chorus done in a mock-calypso style and some slick harmonies over its boogie beat and fat power chords. Other experimental highlights include "Big Boy," a mid-tempo rocker with a reggae chorus, and "Ship of Dreams," an acoustic rocker with a Spanish-inspired flamenco melody. Meanwhile, the group satisfies their hard rock fanbase with tracks like "Talkin to One of the Boys," a lightning-speed rocker built on a blinding dual-guitar riff, and "Showdown at the Border," an insistent guitar showcase with riffs and solos to spare. Malice in Wonderland also produced a notable hit for Nazareth in "Heart's Grown Cold," a kiss-off ballad that starts with a delicate acoustic melody and builds into an all-stops-out production where bombastic guitars support a group of backup singers wailing the song's chorus. All in all, Malice in Wonderland is one of the high points in Nazareth's career and the best-ever fusion of their hard rock and AOR tendencies. In short, it's required listening for the group's fans and also an album likely to please hard rock lovers and AOR fanatics alike. ~ Donald A. Guarisco, All Music Guide

Tracks

Track Title	Composers	Performers	Time
Holiday	Pete Agnew, Dan McCafferty, Manny Charlton, Zal Cleminson, Darrell Sweet	Nazareth	(3:39)
Showdown at the Border	Zal Cleminson	Nazareth	(4:11)
Talkin' to One of the Boys (Lyrics)	Zal Cleminson, Pete Agnew, Dan McCafferty	Nazareth	(4:13)
Heart's Grown Cold	Zal Cleminson	Nazareth	(4:14)
Fast Cars	Darrell Sweet, Manny Charlton, Pete Agnew, Zal Cleminson, Dan McCafferty	Nazareth	(4:35)
Big Boy	Zal Cleminson	Nazareth	(3:38)
Talkin' 'Bout Love	Jeff Baxter, Zal Cleminson, Darrell Sweet, Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Manny Charlton	Nazareth	(3:57)
Fallen Angel	Pete Agnew, Darrell Sweet, Zal Cleminson, Dan McCafferty, Manny Charlton	Nazareth	(4:44)
Ship of Dreams	Manny Charlton	Nazareth	(4:09)
Turning a New Leaf	Manny Charlton, Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew, Zal Cleminson, Darrell Sweet	Nazareth	(4:00)
Heart's Grown Cold [*]	Zal Cleminson	Nazareth	(3:56)
Razamanaz [*]	Darrell Sweet, Pete Agnew, Manny Charlton, Dan McCafferty	Nazareth	(4:16)
Hair of the Dog [*]	Pete Agnew, Manny Charlton, Dan McCafferty, Darrell Sweet	Nazareth	(4:37)
Talkin' to One of the Boys [*]	Zal Cleminson, Dan McCafferty, Pete Agnew	Nazareth	(4:48)

Credits

Pete Agnew (Vocals), Sherlie Matthews (Vocals), Jeff Baxter (Producer), Venetta Fields (Vocals), Zal Cleminson (Guitar), Paulinho Da Costa (Percussion), Pete Agnew (Guitar (Bass)), Darrell Sweet (Drums), Alan Estes (Vocals (Background)), Pete Agnew (Guitar), Pete Agnew (Bass), Paulette Brown (Vocals), Zal Cleminson (Synthesizer), Dan McCafferty (Vocals), Manny Charlton (Guitar)

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