The Real Macaw

by Graham Parker

The Real Macaw cover art
  • Type: Album
  • Released: July 1983
  • Label: Arista
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Length: 39:34
  • Community rating: 2.98/5 from 2 ratings

Album Notes & Community Reviews

Seeking to expand his commercial appeal, the pub-rock veteran enlisted producer David Kershenbaum to apply a pristine, synthesizer-heavy sheen to his classic rock and roll songwriting. 'The Real Macaw' dials back Graham Parker's signature vitriol in favor of sleek, mid-eighties pop-rock aesthetics. The stylistic pivot polarized long-time fans but successfully yielded the polished MTV hit 'Life Gets Better'.

Genres

Tracklist

  1. Just Like A Man (2:39)
  2. You Can't Take Love For Granted (4:38)
  3. Glass Jaw (3:15)
  4. Passive Resistance (3:20)
  5. Sounds Like Chains (4:45)
  6. Life Gets Better (3:16)
  7. A Miracle A Minute (3:12)
  8. Beyond A Joke (4:50)
  9. Last Couple On The Dance Floor (3:04)
  10. Anniversary (3:03)
  11. (Too Late) The Smart Bomb (3:32)

Credits

  • Graham Parker - primary artist
  • Kevin Jenkins - bass
  • Gilson Lavis - drums
  • Brinsley Schwarz - guitar [orange, black]
  • George Small - keyboards
  • Morris Pert - percussion
  • Andy Ebsworth - programmed by [linn drum programming]
  • Mel Collins - saxophone

More from Graham Parker: full discography