The Rumour Max

The Rumour: Bob Andrews (vocals, piano, Hammond b-3 organ); Brinsley Schwarz , Steve Goulding (vocals); Bob Robertson (alto); Albie Donnelly (tenor); Dick Hanson, Danny Ellis, Martin Belmont, Andrew Bodnar.

Personnel: Bob Robertson (vocals, alto, saxophone); Martin Belmont (vocals, guitar, background vocals); Albie Donnelly (vocals, saxophone, tenor saxophone); Brinsley Schwarz (guitar, slide guitar, background vocals); Dick Hanson (trumpet); Danny Ellis, Dan Ellis (trombone); Bob Andrews (keyboards); Andrew Bodnar (bass guitar, drums); Steve Goulding (drums, percussion, background vocals).

Liner Note Author: Steve Goulding .

Recording information: Rockfield Studios Monmouth.

Unknown Contributor Role: Bob Andrews .

On their debut, the Rumour play laid-back pub rock in a style (predictably) not too dissimilar from their work with Graham Parker, though it is looser and more in the style of later Brinsley Schwarz. Max is probably most noteworthy for the clear high point, the band's cover of Nick Lowe's "Mess with Love" (a song he wouldn't get around to recording himself until 1982's Abominable Showman), although the album is packed with some terrific music. ~ Chris Woodstra