Album flashback

The Box - Closer Together [1987]

I’ve mentioned before that ‘87 was my high school grad year. But I left out a little wrinkle. When I flipped my tassel to the left I was a bilingual graduate after completing twelve years in French immersion.

My mum wanted me to have better job prospects as the story goes, but the big takeaway for me was learning about not one, but two different cultures.

During my school years - especially grade 7-12 - we had a solid mix of Québecois teachers as well as some from other French cultures.

Sure, I read Molière and Camus. But we also read ‘The Hockey Sweater’ by Roch Carrier and listened to ‘Pour un instant’ by Harmonium.

The experience has left me with a slightly better understanding of our friends in Québec, and I always enjoy hearing a song with French lyrics, even a smattering. It’s like knowing a secret code in a way.

Which brings us to Jean-Marc Pisapia and The Box.

While he grew up in Montréal and was a schoolmate [and briefly a bandmate] of Ivan Doruschuk from Men Without Hats - who have been known to sprinkle in some French - he prefers to do the bulk of his singing in English.

In a 1987 interview, Pisapia cites his belief in an “international pop culture” as to why he prefers his lyrics to be mostly English. This stance will have certainly alienated a number of Québec fans over the years.

That said, The Box had seen some success from their first two albums. Four singles charted, including their wonderful #21 hit ‘L’affaire Dumoutier’ - which I’ve featured previously.

The group gathered to record their third LP with Marc Durand as co-producer, another link to MWH.

Also part of the ensemble was fellow Montréaler, Sass Jordan.

The album sold platinum in Canada, powered by three big singles, and one that didn’t chart in 1988.

Closer Together - peaked #13

I’ve written about this song before here, and I’ll probably do it again.

This is flawless 80s pop. If you don’t love this you may be dead inside.

Ordinary People - peaked #16

Yup, another Cold War classic which was the norm for so many 80s bands at this time.

Ones I've written about already include Chalk Circle, Ian Thomas, Platinum Blonde, and Strange Advance.

Arena-ready chorus, though.

Jean-Marc talks us through the USSR for those too young to know what it meant. - Behind The Vinyl, Boom 97.3

Crying Out Loud For Love - peaked #40

A lovely little tune that maybe deserved a slightly better chart number.

The highlight is the sax work by Daniel Thibault, hints of Branford.

And speaking of Sting one more time, the band footage here reminds me of ‘Every Breath You Take’ more than a little bit.

I’m Back - did not chart

Sometimes you can go to the well too many times.

I believe that’s what happened here with this tune.

Even the in-flight announcements worked for me, and the sung chorus has a great hook.

But the issue remains that we’ve already had a big hit with a spoken word thing - the aforementioned ‘L’affaire’.

This album marked the apex of the band’s career. Jean-Marc has since gotten a more prog-style group together after trying some solo stuff as well.

Nonetheless, the ‘Closer Together’ album stands up as a terrific example of late-80s production paired with excellent songs and musicianship.

Give it a spin and then tell me if you found an old fave or a new one!