Manfred Mann’s Earth Band

Angel Station is an album released in 1979 by Manfred Mann’s Earth Band. Angel Station features a six-note descending theme in most of the songs on the album, woven into the context of each song in a different way. “Hollywood Town” and “You Are, I Am” share a common tune and basic arrangement. They occupied almost identical positions on either side of the LP. The album has the air of an emotional and musical crossword puzzle, or has affinities with the work of M. C. Escher, whose art is alluded to on the cover illustration.

Of interest is the involvement of Fingerprintz’s Jimmy O’Neill whose influence can be heard in the edgy, angular instrumental “Platform’s End” (a song whose title was probably influenced by the fact that it originally closed the 1978 vinyl’s A side), and ex-Slapp Happy and Henry Cow member Anthony Moore who produced the album and influenced its modern, sparse sound.

“This is Chris Thompson’s last album with the Earth Band as he is forming his own band in the near future. I wish to thank him for a valuable creative and personal relationship, and wish him every success in the future.” – Manfred Mann 1979. In spite of this announcement, Thompson’s own outfit Night turned out as unsuccessful, releasing two mostly overlooked albums in 1978 and 1979 respectively, so the singer stayed with the Earth Band instead, returning on the group’s next album Chance (1980) already.