The Alarm

Transformation

(21^st Century Recordings)

Transformation is a powerful final rock music statement from a musician who felt he still had plenty more life to live. Mike Peters valiantly battled cancer for decades but never stopped touring or recording new music. He finished Transformation early last year but sadly succumbed to the disease that spring, after an innovative medical treatment failed.

From 1981-91, Peters led the original incarnation of The Alarm, which created some of the period’s most indelible alt-rock anthems: “68 Guns,” “Where Were You Hiding (When the Storm Broke),” “Strength,” “Spirit of ’76,” “Rain in the Summertime” and “Sold Me Down the River,” to name a few.

During the early 2000s, the passionate Welsh singer/guitarist reinstituted the band name with a revolving cast of musicians. He was highly prolific in the ensuing years, often releasing a studio or live album or two every year. I was fortunate to interview him three times over the entire Alarm/solo career run, and those chats were some of my most memorable with any musician.

The invigorating Transformation was produced by longtime Peters associate George Williams, (who also played bass, keyboards, and effects on a song. The musicians include Mike Peters (vocals/guitar), his wife Jules Jones Peters (piano/backing vocals), and Dave Morait (drums), plus Mike and Jules’ son Evan Peters (drums on one song).

“New Life” - originally intended to be a triumph over Mike Peters beating cancer again – now has a more poignant meaning. With a glam rock thrust and eerie, clarion call guitar work, it finds him singing, “100ml of pure life blood/designed for new life” and later, “I’ll see you in the new life/if not before.”

Similarly, “Chimera” was planned as a rebirth song upon release in January ‘25 - the exact day Peters’ CAR-T (Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell) therapy began. Symbolically encapsulating the Greek mythos of a chimera, which embodies the characteristics of different animals into one body, Peters thought he would become like the fabled creature. The intense song is punctuated by keyboards, searing guitar, and gritty vocals. A combined sense of desperation and optimism infuses “Outlier,” as Peters ably hammers home the point that he’s a “decider,” “finisher” and “still here.”

A high spirited, inspirational tone is at the heart of “Savior,” while “Metaverse” features fuzztone guitar snatches and - along with the hip-hop beat-driven “Wired” – deftly uses modern technology lyrical references (the thought-provoking latter song namechecks Alexa and Siri).

Elsewhere, “One in a Million” has a rabble-rousing vibe and autobiographical bent. Despite the realistic lyrics, a harmonious, organ-infused “Soul Town” should put a smile to any Alarm fan’s face as it seemingly pays tribute to The Jam’s “A Town Called Malice” (or classic Motown).

The fact that Transformation has less than 100,000 Spotify streams to date it a travesty. It is definitely an “all killer, no filler” album that should appeal to Alarm or Peters solo fans from any era.

Photo courtesy Reybee PR