A Promise Is a Promise is an album by the American band Lyres, released in 1988.[2][3] A band timeline constructed by Pete Frame that was included in the gatefold claimed that the album was recorded by the 13th lineup of the Lyres.[4][5] The cassette and CD versions of the album added seven songs.[5]
The Lyres supported the album with a North American tour.[6] The band broke up briefly after finishing the tour.[7]A Promise Is a Promise was reissued by Matador Records in 1998.[8]
Production
The album was produced by Richard W. Harte.[9] Some of the songs were recorded live during a European tour.[10]Stiv Bators sang on "Here's a Heart".[11] "Witch" is a cover of the Sonics song.[12]
Trouser Press stated: "Dispensing with most of the dated stylization for about as modern a sound as a group with prominent Vox organ can get, the energy-spewing album drags in spots but blasts off in others."[4]The Boston Globe concluded that the album "plays as a set of important throwaways, which, let's face it, is a rather central premise of disposable pop music ... [singer Jeff] Conolly's idea is to bash out the fury—or the occasional hope—and move on to the next slab-of-life dilemma."[5]
The Washington Post determined that "the singer/keyboardist's passion is both the appeal and the point of bluesy stompers like 'Sicked and Tired'—and it's swaggeringly infectious."[6] The Orlando Sentinel noted that, "with wheezing, cheesy organ riffs and grinding guitar chords, the Lyres from Boston embrace the style of '60s garage rock with an '80s twist."[16] The Telegram & Gazette thought that the Lyres give "down-home garage melodies a punk soul."[17]
AllMusic wrote that "despite the crazy quilt impression, it all hangs together surprisingly well as the performances are universally tight and energetic."[11]MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide panned the "lo-fi" live tracks.[9]
