John Waite again shines brightly with his vocal prowess and shows continued versatility throughout as this album differs just a bit from the previous as it takes a very successful, overall harder power pop posture primarily dominated from the masterful keyboard power of the talented Cain. That combined with a growing maturity in their songwriting helped with the inclusion of Cain as well as Phillips proved "Union Jacks" another winner!
I picked up Union Jacks right about the time that punk was making the news every night. I came home on the day I bought it and set it on the table so I could make myself a snack before I listened to it. Mom walked over and I literally saw the color drain from her face. "What kind of band is this?" she asked, trying unsuccessfully to hide her fear and shock. "Oh, they're a big new punk band. I love 'em. Do we have any safety pins?" I said cruelly. Mom's face crumpled as she imagined me with spiked hair and thumbtacks through my nostrils, and I couldn't keep a straight face any longer. I let her off the hook and went looking for my dad.
Union Jacks is easily the Baby's second best album, with only a couple of less than shining moments keeping it from sharing Head First's five star rating. (Those moments being In Your Eyes, Anytime and Love Is Just A Mystery.) Everything else, especially Back On My Feet Again, True Love, True Confessions and Midnight Rendezvous. These three hold up well even today, although only Back On My Feet Again seems to have been deemed good enough to make our local "classic rock" station's lineup. Is anything sadder than Cincinnati radio?

Union Jacks
It's hard for me to rate a Babys album, because I like everything they've done and would still love to find CDs of 3 albums I've got that seem to be unavailable. On UNION JACKS, the Babys expanded to a 5 piece band and allowed John Waite to front the band and give up his bass playing duties. I actually enjoyed seeing him play and sing live, which I was able to do 3 times. Without all the effects and extravagant stage shows the Babys were alive with excitement. Their sound live was as sharp live as on the albums.

With this disc, Ricky Phillips stepped in on bass and Jonathan Caine came aboard to play keyboards and guitars in concert, since many of their songs had a distinct 2 guitar sound when Michael Corby was with them. Jonathan Caine also brought an immense song writing talent with him, as well as an excellent voice. There isn't a Baby's recording that has a bad song on it. The measure has always been how many great songs there were and this disc just didn't stack up to HEAD FIRST or BROKEN HEART. It probably deserves better than 4 stars, though!

The best tracks are "Midnight Rendevouz", "True Love, True Confessions", "Back on My Feet Again', and "Union Jacks". These should have all been hits, but Chrysalis [failed] in their support of the Babys! Other strong tracks include "Jesus Are You There", "Turn Around in Tokyo", and "Anytime". As with all Babys releases, the music is straight forward and without gimmicks, which is what makes is so good. It's just not cluttered up with nonsense! UNION JACKS will play over and over on your stereo and you'll wonder why you never heard more of it before. Prove to yourself that the best music doesn't always make it to the radio; become a Union Jack.
I have always been a fan of british music, eg UFO Sweet Def Leppard, and The Babys were one of my favourites. I ordered their CDs through a music shop in Australia about ten years ago only to find out they had recently been deleted and were unavailable. Imagine my delight to see they had all been released again. The new liner notes are excellent as are the photos, my only gripe is, that unlike many rereleased CDs these days, there are no "bonus track" such as demo versions or alternate versions of tracks off the CD or dare we hope a track or two which previously never saw the light of day. All I need now is Rovers Return and Mask of Smiles and my John Waite collection will be complete. Its just a shame that such a brilliant band as The Babys only gave us 5 albums.

This album scared my mom almost to death
This album was a new begining for The Babys as they again tried to enter mainstream rock and roll. John Waite gave up playing bass to Ricky Phillips in favor of being the front man, lead singer. They also replced Michael Corby with Jonathon Cain, who would later go to Journey. All in all it's a solid album with some familiar radio songs,( Back on my feet again and Midnight rendezvous), and a few jems that never quite hit the airways (Anytime, True love, true confessions, and In your eyes). The Babys opened for Journey on the Union Jacks tour and stole the show nightly. I know, I was there. Although this album is true 70's pop, it's a must for any and all Babys fans, it's John Waite and the boys at their best. Truly a find on CD.
1980 release fronted by John Waite. Re-mastered. Featuring, 'Back On My Feet Again', 'Midnight Rendezvous' & 'Love Is Just A Mystery'. Standard jewel case. 2001 release.