Tom Robinson – North By Northwest

Tom Robinson – North By Northwest

Released in 1982, North By Northwest is the first solo studio album from Tom Robinson following his work with the Tom Robinson Band and the short-lived new wave outfit Sector 27. An intriguing and frequently overlooked release, it finds Robinson moving away from the politically charged rock anthems that first brought him recognition towards a more personal, atmospheric and introspective style of songwriting.

Recorded in Hamburg, Germany, and produced by Richard Mazda, the album embraces the distinctive electronic and machine-driven sounds of the early eighties. Combining new wave, post-punk, synth-driven arrangements and melodic pop, North By Northwest creates an unusual musical landscape that is both atmospheric and emotionally revealing.

Robinson's songwriting takes centre stage throughout, exploring relationships, loneliness, desire, loss and the complexities of everyday life. His lyrics are characteristically direct but often cryptic, offering intimate glimpses into personal experiences rather than the political declarations that had defined much of his earlier work.

The album opens with 'Now Martin's Gone', a melancholy yet melodic song about loss, while 'Atmospherics' is one of its most distinctive recordings. Co-written with Peter Gabriel, the track combines evocative storytelling with an atmospheric, electronic arrangement that perfectly captures the album's nocturnal mood.

'Can't Keep Away (Part II)' introduces a darker, more rhythmically driven side to the record, while 'Looking For A Bonfire' is a particularly compelling highlight, with its ominous synth textures and restless guitar work. 'Merrily Up On High' offers another memorable example of Robinson's ability to combine unconventional arrangements with strong melodic songwriting.

The second side continues the reflective atmosphere with 'Those Days', 'In The Cold' and 'The Night Tide', before 'Duncannon' leads into the closing track, 'Love Comes', a beautifully understated conclusion that brings a sense of emotional resolution to the album.

Richard Mazda's production is central to the record's character. His guitar and saxophone contributions, alongside Steve Laurie's drumming and Robinson's bass and keyboards, create a lean but inventive sound, incorporating electronic textures and unusual studio effects without sacrificing the intimacy of the songs.

An important part of Tom Robinson's wider musical journey, North By Northwest reveals a more vulnerable and experimental side to an artist often associated with the confrontational energy of late-seventies British punk and new wave. It is a fascinating early-eighties recording that deserves attention from fans of atmospheric post-punk, synth-driven new wave and intelligent British songwriting.

A rewarding discovery for Tom Robinson enthusiasts and collectors of overlooked 1980s alternative music, this is a distinctive album that offers considerably more than a straightforward continuation of his earlier work.

Tracklist

Side A
A1 Now Martin's Gone – 3:17
A2 Atmospherics – 3:04
A3 Can't Keep Away (Part II) – 4:34
A4 Looking For A Bonfire – 3:53
A5 Merrily Up On High – 3:48

Side B
B1 Those Days – 4:19
B2 In The Cold – 3:42
B3 The Night Tide – 3:52
B4 Duncannon – 4:04
B5 Love Comes – 2:24