The Insiders – Ghost On The Beach (1987)

by Record Facts

Throw Lennon and McCartney in with the Heartbreakers, and you would get this Chicago-based band from the late 1980’s-early 1990’s.

With wonderfully subtle songwriting, a solid rock sound and stunning liver performances, they should have been a memorable fixture on the music scene for years to come.

“Ghost On The Beach” is filled with classic tunes, most notably the stunning lead track, the bittersweet “Love Like Candy” and the churning “Memory Road.”

Let me first affirm that Jay O’Rourke was indeed the producer and guitarist in the band for those reading reviews.

What a joy to hear that song again all these years later as it never gets played any longer. I never owned the actual album or cd until a few years ago but what a solid cd. “Love Like Candy” is a dandy and still sounds great some 23 years later. “Price Of Love” I heard years before I got this cd on a “Poco” cd. “Moondog Howl” also another favorite of mine. So for those looking for a hiden gem.. here it is right before you.

Oh and Jay.. congrats on your son being born, some 22 years later and thank him (from me) for the inspiration.

The title track, written by John Siegle and Gary Yerkins, was not only a perfect blast of power pop with muscular guitar playing and an indelible melody, it also offered the sure-fire elements of a summer romance and a hint of the supernatural. The sexy video went into heavy rotation on MTV, and helped The Insiders land a beer commercial.

The well honed lyrics describe a one night stand on the beach beside a romantic campfire as the waves came crashing in. “Making love almost the moment we met./A soggy Romeo, a soakin’ wet Juliet.” Later, it’s almost as if the encounter never took place. “The sand is smooth like no woman ever walked there./The wind silent like no man ever spoke.” All of which leads the guy to an eerie conclusion. “As I stand under the moon/And I’ll see you, washed up, some ghost inside a bottle/Out on the beach.” Guess that means he didn’t get her number.

Side A
A1. Ghost On The Beach – 3:33
A2. Price Of Love – 3:30
A3. Love Like Candy – 4:19
A4. Sad Songs – 3:26
A5. Peace In Time – 3:42

Side B
B1. 35,000 – 3:33
B2. Memory Row – 4:10
B3. Stand In Chains – 3:31
B4. Our Last Day – 3:39
B5. Moondog Howl – 4:06

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