Rocktrospectiva: The Darkert And Conceptual "Road To Hell" Turns 35

Released on 30 October 1989, "The Road To Hell" was the tenth studio album by British artist Chris Rea, considered the most successful studio album by the artist, topped the UL for three weeks and it was considered as a modern masterpiece, the album contains strong elements of social commentary, addressing alienation, violence and redemption. The album spawned four singles "The Road To Hell", "That's What They Always Say", "Texas" & "Tell Me There's A Heaven".  

Written and recorded within four weeks. Rea had a lot of trouble with the album arising out of the attitude of his record company, so he recorded the next album – Auberge – before, as an agreement with Warner Brothers. So if Road To Hell didn’t work – and they said it won't – we would jump straight away to Auberge and forget about it, of course things work for this album, so there was no need to do what was agreed.

The Road To Hell is a concept album about the problems of modern society, and while this subject recurs throught the album, it is balanced by another recurring subject, the solace of love and family. The album begins with the sound of a disturbing phenomenon: a traffic jam. This leads into "The Road To Hell Parts 1 and 2", with lyrics evoking impending doom and fears of technology, economic collapse fear of violence on city street, other highlights includes "You Must Be Evil" deals with the irresponsible depiction on television news, "Texas", which depicts the feeling of being trapped economically or socially, and seeing escape to a new environment as the only way out; "Looking For a Rainbow", a cathartic anthem which describes the search for a better life by those who are economically disadvantaged, but reflects the struggles we all face to improve ourselves; "That's What They Always Say", a song about the special kind of hell experienced by those whose ambitions are thwarted; and "Tell Me There's a Heaven", whose lovely orchestral atmosphere belies its bleak message and "Daytona" which is about the Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Daytona.

Is definitely darkest and best album , a concept album about the horrors of the modern age . Still potent with a message for modern days, and the effect was inmediately cause this is Rea's most exciting, potent and comercially succesful album to date. 

 

The Road To Hell Track List:

1. The Road To Hell (Part 1)

2. The Road To Hell (Part 2)

3. You Must Be Evil

4. Texas

5. Looking For A Rainbow

6. Your Warm And Tender Love

7. Daytona

8. That's What They Always Say

9. I Just Wann Be With You

10. Tell Me There's A Heaven