The Angels – Face to Face (1978)
The Angels’ Face to Face was released in 1978, and in 1980 in the United States under the moniker Angel City (the U.S. already had a band named Angel). This band was influential on several hard rock acts including one of the more recent acts Airbourne. Knowing this, I had to seek out a copy of the Face to Face to see what The Angels had to offer.
The Angels have a sound that is riff-heavy, pub rock similar to but not the same as AC/DC. This band isn’t quite as heavy, and singer Doc Neeson’s voice isn’t as abrasive as Bon Scott’s or Brian Johnson’s voice.
The overall production value on Face to Face definitely sounds a little 
dated. Their is no question that this music came from the 70’s. While the music isn’t unlistenable, it is just doesn’t meet the quality of today’s recordings.
I don’t know if I would call Face to Face essential, but there are some good songs to found here. “Take a Long Line”, “Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again”, “Can’t Shake It” (which was later covered by Great White on their 1991 CD, Hooked), and “No Exit” are the best songs in my opinion. All of these tunes sound as if they would translate well live. They are songs that will get you on your feet, and get you rocking. A couple of these songs should have got some radio play in the U.S., but for whatever reason never seemed to crack the U.S. airwaves. It is a shame, as The Angels are solid act, even though they are largely unknown on U.S. soil.
Those of you looking to track down a copy of Face to Face are in luck. You can find new copies of this CD at Amazon.com for under 10 bucks. Check them out!
Rating:
Out of 10
Track Listing:
1. Take a Long Line
2. Marseilles
3. After the Rain
4. Am I Ever Gonna See Your Face Again
5. Shadow Boxer
6. Comin’ Down
7. Out of the Blue
8. Can’t Shake It
9. Waiting for the World
10. No Exit
The Angels are:
Chris Bailey – bass
Graham “Buzz” Bidstrup – drums, vocals
John Brewster – rhythm guitar, vocals
Rick Brewster – lead guitar, vocals
Doc Neeson – lead vocals
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Darkroom and Night Attack were two other Angel City records that charted on Billboard in 1980 and 1982 . The best tracks were Face the Day (later covered by Great White) , No Secrets and Fashion and Fame. Highly recommended!
Angel City the most amazing band that only true rock dogs and collectors have heard of. Face to Face is a awesome CD. Take a Long line and Marseilles rock in an early metal meets punk. 5 stars!
They recently reformed for a sold out tour in Australia , absolutely brilliant. Loud , hard and heavy.
Back in the day they toured heavily in the states. Made it to headlining in status although particularly strong in the NW and Canada. Anyone who loved Heavy rock will own a copy of Face to Face (Epic)or the brutal Two Minute Warning (MCA). How this band never became as big as AC/DC remains a mystery? Maybe it was they were more punk than metal to Headbangers or maybe they were too Metal for Punks. You can’t pigeon hole Doc Neeson and the boys. And lets not forget they were huge under the name The Angels in Australia (Angel City in the US and Europe).
Great White actually covered two Angel City songs Face the Day and Can’t Shake It. Guns n Roses (live) and LA Guns covered Marseilles. AXL, SLASH, Duff and Angry Anderson from Rose Tattoo joined the Angels at the Whiskey in about 1990 for jam.
Apparently Kurt Cobain said when he was recording Nevermind he was trying to get the Angel City tone for his guitar. Any Angel City fan will know what that distinctive tone sounded like.
Again how the hell this band isn’t as big is AC/DC is a crime.
You will find a lot of Angel City video’s on You Tube
Search tip- YouTube under The Angels Doc Neeson.
in the 1980s i came about angels 1 st. albem in a rcord store here album
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they were hot ‘n love with angel as well as aerosmith! i would love to see pix as they look today
I was told by DJ in France The Angels are more popular then AC/DC over there.
The Angels record companies are Albert Productions, Liberation, Axe Killer (France)
Face To Face (1978) Australia
Track Listing
1. Straight Jacket
2. All Hooked Up
3. Love Takes Care
4. Take a Long Line
5. Marseilles
6. Live It Up
7. Be with You
8. Outcast
9. I Ain’t the One
10. Comin’ Down
Axe Killer re-issued Face To Face the Australian version as International release. Axe Killer Link: http://home.nordnet.fr/lbocquet/axekiller.htmlv
No Exit (1979) Australia
Track Listing
1. Waiting for the World
2. After Dark
3. Save Me
4. Shadow Boxer
5. No Exit
6. Can’t Shake It
7. Out of the Blue
8. Dawn Is Breaking
9. Mr Damage
10. Ivory Stairs
Face To Face (1980) – International release was compilation of Australian Face To Face and No Exit albums. The International release is not the Australian release.
The Angels record companies are Albert Productions, Liberation, Axe Killer (France)
Face To Face (1978) Australia
Track Listing
Straight Jacket
After The Rain
Love Takes Care
Take A Long Line
Marseilles
Live It Up
Be With You
Outcast
I Ain’t The One
Comin’ Down
Axe Killer re-issued Face To Face the Australian version as International release. Axe Killer Link: http://home.nordnet.fr/lbocquet/axekiller.htmlv
No Exit (1979) Australia
Track Listing
1. Waiting for the World
2. After Dark
3. Save Me
4. Shadow Boxer
5. No Exit
6. Can’t Shake It
7. Out of the Blue
8. Dawn Is Breaking
9. Mr Damage
10. Ivory Stairs
Face To Face (1980) – International release was compilation of Australian Face To Face and No Exit albums. The International release is not the Australian release.
Angels are right up there with AC/DC and Rose Tattoo as legendary rock bands in Australia. The band was actually discovered by Bon Scott and Angus Young in 76 and AC/DC was their first major tour.
AC/DC support act was The Angels. Bon Scott and Malcolm Young were express by them and were sign up to Albert Productions the same label as AC/DC.