John Waite Ignition CD - Import

John Waite had known stardom as a member of the Babys, a British quartet that had a brief run on the American charts in the late '70s and early '80s. During the heyday of punk rock, they were unapologetic stadium rockers with their feet planted firmly in the mainstream, and it worked -- they just missed the Top Ten with "Every Time I Think of You" and "Isn't It Time." That was nothing compared to what would follow when Waite's solo career finally took off, yet it took a little effort for that career to gain momentum. He released his first solo album, Ignition, in the summer of 1982. Musically, the record certainly took its cues from the Babys, but it was also a product of its times, exhibiting a considerable new wave production sheen. That much was evident from the surging opener "White Heat," with its glistening, processed guitars and tight rhythms. It's the sound of stylized, commercial mainstream rock in the early '80s, and the rest of Ignition follows this pattern to an appealing end. True, the record has a couple of moments that seem like filler, but not in a bad way; that's because the production sounds good, and Waite's performances are always inspired. The problem is that no matter how well-crafted Ignition is, none of its songs are total knockouts -- the kind of single that would break down the doors to mainstream radio, regardless of whether it was given a push. And so, even though it was a very good solo debut, Ignition withered on the vine. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Limited Edition. Waite first achieved popularity and success fronting ex-pat hard rockers the Baby's, notching up two Top 20 US hit singles before breaking up the group to launch a solo career, a path that would see him score a US #1 single in 1984 with the plaintiff but hugely powerful 'Missing You'. Ignition, Waite's debut solo album was recorded in New York City in late 1981 and reflects a man awash with brave ideals and ruthless musical conviction. Upbeat, bristling with determination and extremely hard rocking, the songs reflect a man on a mission, delivered with one of the most concise productions of the era (courtesy of Pat Benatar guitarist Neil Geraldo). Widely acknowledged as Waite's greatest album, Ignition gets the full Rock Candy reissue treatment with a remastered clarity that will resolutely and undeniably confirm Waite's position as a rock vocalist extraordinaire. Includes 16 page color booklet with original and enhanced artwork with new photos and extensive memorabilia. 2006.

Here's some ferocious John Waite, pre-"Missing You."