Album Review: Your Time Is At Hand If You Love Me Like You Say You Wouldn’t Treat Me Like You Do by The Fairlanes
Alright, buckle up, because we’re diving into this gem of a rock & roll ride from 1988. The Fairlanes came out swinging with their album Your Time Is At Hand If You Love Me Like You Say You Wouldn’t Treat Me Like You Do. Yeah, that’s a mouthful for a title, but hey, it sets the tone—raw, unfiltered, and straight to the point. Released under Blue Jersey Records in the good ol’ US of A, this record is like a time machine back to when rock still had grit under its nails.
Let’s talk tracks, shall we? First up, “If You Love Me Like You Say (You Wouldn’t Treat Me Like You Do).” Man, if this song doesn’t hit you right in the feels, check your pulse. It’s got that classic rock & roll swagger—crunchy guitars, steady-as-hell drums, and vocals dripping with attitude. What sticks with me isn’t just how catchy it is (and trust me, it’s damn catchy), but the way it captures that universal frustration of being let down by someone who’s supposed to care. The lyrics are simple but pack a punch, like a well-aimed jab. Plus, there’s this one guitar riff halfway through that sounds like it’s been ripped straight outta some smoky dive bar in the late ’70s. You can practically smell the stale beer and cigarette smoke while listening.
Then there’s “Your Time Is At Hand,” which feels like the flip side of the same coin. Where the first track is all about heartbreak and betrayal, this one leans harder into defiance. It’s darker, moodier, almost like the band decided to channel their inner demons into something explosive. The bassline here? Absolute fire. It grooves so deep you might find yourself nodding along even when you’re trying to act cool. And those vocal harmonies? They’re not perfect—in fact, they’re kinda rough around the edges—but that’s exactly why they work. It’s real, y’know? Like these guys weren’t worried about polish; they just wanted to get the message across loud and clear.
Now, here’s the thing about The Fairlanes—they weren’t reinventing the wheel with this album. But maybe that’s the beauty of it. In a world where everything’s overproduced and shiny, Your Time Is At Hand… reminds us what rock & roll is really about: raw emotion, killer hooks, and a whole lotta soul. Listening to it now, decades later, it still holds up. Maybe because people haven’t changed all that much—we’re still getting our hearts broken, still calling out hypocrisy, still searching for meaning in chaos.
And honestly? I think that’s kinda comforting. So next time you’re feeling low or just need something to blast on a road trip, give this one a spin. Just don’t blame me if you end up singing along at the top of your lungs—and possibly scaring small animals in the process.
Oh, and one last thought: whoever designed the cover art deserves an award. Or therapy. Probably both.
