Eye of the Hurricane (The Alarm album)

Both contemporary and retrospective reviewers compared Eye of the Hurricane to the work of U2. Billboard wrote that the album demonstrated "all the intensity of U2 but with the capacity for much hookier melodies." Cashbox said that album was "atmospheric and spiritually-minded" rock music and that "while comparisons to U-know-who are too obvious, Mike Peters et al have the vision and depth to create their own niche." William Ruhlmann believed that the album "marked the limits of their appeal" and thought that the band struggled to get "out from under the shadow of their mentors, U2", adding that the association with the band "only hurt them". Music Week called Eyes of the Hurricane the band's "most evenly balanced album" and "their best to date". ==Track listing==

All songs written by Eddie MacDonald & Mike Peters, except where noted. Folklore • "Rain in the Summertime" - 5:12 • "Newtown Jericho" - 4:05 • "Hallowed Ground" - 4:17 • "One Step Closer to Home" (Dave Sharp, Nigel Twist) - 4:31 • "Shelter" (The Alarm) - 3:08 Electric • "Rescue Me" - 3:19 • "Permanence in Change" - 4:01 • "Presence of Love" - 4:01 • "Only Love Can Set Me Free" - 4:22 • "Eye of the Hurricane" - 3:38 ==Personnel==

Band members • Mike Peters - Lead vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, harmonica • David Sharp - Lead guitar, acoustic guitar, vocals on "One Step Closer to Home" • Eddie MacDonald - Bass, bass synthesizer, keyboards, programming, backing vocals • Nigel Twist - Drums, Linn Drum programming, backing vocals Additional musicians • Chris Stainton - Piano and Hammond organ (tracks A4, B4, and B5) • Mark Taylor - Piano and DX7 Synthesizer (all other tracks, except A5) • John Porter - Programming Technical ;Recorded & mixed at Great Linford Manor. • Tony Platt - engineer • David Leonard - mixing • The Alarm and John Porter - production ==Single releases==

• "Rain in the Summertime" was released before the album, reaching number 18 in the UK Singles Chart and number 71 on the Billboard Hot 100. • The album surfaced prior to the release of the second single, "Rescue Me", which reached number 48 and saw the band on The Roxy. "Rescue Me" also gained some exposure in the US, thanks to its appearance on the original soundtrack from the then-brand new TV series 21 Jump Street. • "Presence of Love" was the third and final single, peaking just shy of the Top 40. ==Remastered release==

Released in 2000, the remastered edition featured a revised track listings, b-sides and previously unreleased recordings, new and original artwork, unseen photos, lyrics, sleeve notes by Mike Peters and interactive programming information to play the album in its original form. Track listing • "Electric" • "Newtown Jericho" • "Rain in the Summertime" • "Rose Beyond the Wall" • "Hallowed Ground" • "One Step Closer to Home" • "Shelter" • "Folklore" • "Eye of the Hurricane" • "Permanence in Change" • "Presence of Love" • "World on Fire" • "A Time to Believe" • "Only Love Can Set Me Free" • "Rescue Me" • "A New South Wales" • "Elders and Folklore" • "My Land Your Land" • "Pastures of Plenty" • "Rescue Me (Tearing The Bonds Assunder Mix)" • "Rain in the Summertime (Thunder/Through The Haze Mix)" == References ==