Bike - Take In The Sun

Bike - Take In The Sun
York Street Studios, Auckland
Flying Nun Records, 1997

Take In the Sun is the sole album by New Zealand pop-rock group Bike. Led by former Straitjacket Fits guitarists and sometime songwriter Andrew Brough, Bike are best remembered for their shimmering guitar pop anthem, ‘Save My Life’. However, the band were more than one song and their album is a beautifully crafted piece of shimmering guitar pop. The album was released on New Zealand's legendary record label Flying Nun Records and it is one of the labels finest, albeit forgotten albums.

After quitting (or maybe being pushed out of) The Fits In the early 1990s, Brough set about perfecting his melodic pop style he had become his signature sound. Recorded in the summer of 96/97, Take In The Sun showcases Brough’s gift for melody and uplifting choruses, albeit contrasted with slightly dark and sad lyrics. Songs like 'Take in the sun', 'Circus Kids', and 'Welcome to My World' are pure slices of sun-drenched pop, with glistening layer upon layer of chiming electric guitar. The track 'Inside' is an epic ballad, with multiple guitars layers that wash over the vocals, almost obscuring them completely.

Back cover of CD

CD design 

My favourite tracks are on the second side, such as the instantly memorable 'Save My Life', and the irresistible ballads 'Slide on By' and 'Sunrise'. The latter two songs are Bike at their most achingly beautiful with strong melodies and glistening instrumentation. Not all tracks are brilliant and the album tends to dip in the middle. However, the album has a nice flow and a consistency in sound and as such, I wouldn't lose any tracks

Bike split not long after the albums release and their New Zealand tour. Brough faded into obscurity and reportedly become fairly reclusive in his hometown of Dunedin, New Zealand. Sadly, Brough died early this year, but thankfully his passing has sparked a resurgence in his music and this fine pop album is now available on streaming services for the first time ever.

Enjoy!

Key tracks:

Save My Life
Circus Kids
Inside
Sunrise
Slide On By

If you enjoy this album, check out the following:

Teenage Fanclub - Grand Prix [1995]
Martin Phillipps and The Chills - Sunburnt [1996]
You Am I - Dress Me Slowly [2001]
President Gas - Sound On Sound [2007]
Bennett Wilson Poole - Bennett Wilson Poole [2018]