Into Action – Paradise Countdown

Into Action
Paradise Countdown
1988 (no label)

Owen Ashley – Lead vocals, guitar, keyboards
Graham Bell – Lead guitar, backing vocals
Stevie Pratt – Bass, keyboard
Neil Gregory – Drums

Side 1:

1. Paradise Countdown
2. The Messenger
3. 2000 AD
4. Through to You

Side 2:

1. Deptford Song
2. Song for Love
3. Close to the Son / Close to the Father

Based on the band photo on the front cover, I was expecting either moody 80s alternative like The Cry, or 80s power pop like The Holidays. Seems this falls somewhere between the two. There are some moody moments, and there are also some upbeat power pop-ish moments. Unfortunately there are some problems with the tape for side one, as the last three songs on side 1 get more and more warbly as it goes along. But it all goes away for side 2. That’s too bad, because I really liked the song “2000 AD” and would like to hear a cleaner version. The liner notes say that Andy Pratt gave technical assistance – I wonder if that is the Andy Pratt? Would that make Stevie a brother/relative? I can’t figure out where this band is from, as the phone numbers given come up as Somalia, Bahamas, and Coventry, England depending on how you put them into Google.