Album Rating: 4.5

Boom, I just raised the avg to 4 😁



But yeah, this rules. Can’t believe I didn’t rate it before. Still, my Paddy 5 continues to belong to I Trawl the Megahertz

Album Rating: 4.4

Ridiculously consistent after the opener. Nearly the level of Steve McQueen.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

One of their most beautiful albums

Album Rating: 4.0

need to check this one out

Album Rating: 4.4

Golden Calf is underrated.

Thomas Dolby is the best thing to happen to this band I’m thinking. He was the producer of this and Steve McQueen, their two best, clearly contributing a lot to the sound and atmosphere of both.

Album Rating: 4.0

Dolby was the producer for a few of songs here, as opposed to a full-time producer as he was for Steve McQueen and Jordan.

Album Rating: 4.4

Ah I see. Those’re my top 3 anyways. Jordan does sound immaculate so makes sense.

Album Rating: 5.0 | Sound Off

If anything Paddy took a note from Dolby for future recordings after McQueen, but seeing as Swoon and Let’s Change the World still rival this for me, I can’t give Dolby all the credit. Don’t forget Andromeda Heights too. That one is pretty damn perfect

Album Rating: 4.4

Change the World and Gunman are alright but my least favs, tho I can hear the Dolby influence on Andromeda Heights and Crimson/Red, which are both lush and excellent. Protest Songs isn’t one of my favs but it’s solid, and purposefully stripped down by Paddy’s hand. Swoon is the wide-eyed and unrestrained raw debut, excellent for what it is. Almost sounds like prog rock and quite eclectic, introducing their sound to the world.

Album Rating: 4.0

@Talons



I think Paddy wanted him back for this but Thomas considered them good enough to do it on their own or with other people. Per wiki:



Thomas Dolby – production (1, 3, 7, 10)

Jon Kelly – production (2, 4, 5, 9)

Paddy McAloon – production (2, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9)

Andy Richards – production (6)

Album Rating: 4.0

I also highly suggest giving Sproutology a look as there are some streams of concerts there, most notably a short set from 1980 and a great quality Jordan tour boot.

Album Rating: 4.0

It's a 4

sus album. Deserves to be knocked down a peg even tho it’s already there. “Cars and girls” is aight

Album Rating: 4.0

im not a massive fan of the last 5 tracks other than knock on wood



but the rest is golden

Album Rating: 4.0

Knock on wood definitely a highlight.

Album Rating: 4.0

venus of the soup kitchen is their hidden gem so i can't agree with that at all, mort lol

Album Rating: 4.0

im relistening to that track now and it seems incredibly middling to me but fair enough



ive just got round to listening to Protest Songs, left myself a few sprout lps to check as a treat (dont want to gorge on the discog of a band i love then have nothing to look forward to)



still need to check gunman and andromeda heights



bit obsessed with Life of Surprises right now, great track





and nice to see you as always fripper, hope youre well

Album Rating: 4.0

Likewise. This album as a whole was probably one I had a hard time reconciling with, at the surface it feels crafted to be their breakthrough to America, but it had the opposite effect, if anything, it did nothing here. The lack of touring outside of Europe played a big part in that, but this is very much their "American" album, Springsteen tributes and Stevie Wonder cameos nonwithstanding.



Funny thing regarding Protest Songs since you mention Life of Surprises is its placement in the discography. It's very much the red-headed stepchild, ignored and sorta unwanted, but you can't help but like it. If you haven't, check out the Steve McQueen acoustic thing Paddy did for the expanded reissue of SM back in the day, or for hours upon hours of bemused listening, give a whirl to the numerous b-sides and discarded songs that did make it out. There should be a proper compilation of it floating around on Soulseek or Youtube.

Album Rating: 4.0

'Stevie Wonder cameos nonwithstanding.'





i literally only found out about that today from a comment on nightingales on youtube, blew my mind.





and ive heard the acoustic versions of steve mcqueen tracks, absolutely adore Desire As' acoustic version



havent checked the b-sides and discarded demos tho, will have to look them up cheers

Album Rating: 4.0

yeah, I got a comp on my computer from soulseek that has about 20+ tracks. This stuff will never come out digitally because Paddy doesn't like them. Individually, they're certainly on YouTube but YMMV. Re: cameos on this, Pete Townshend is also on it, so one has to think they were also angling to get some star power to help them get more attention over here. Ultimately, touring being a no-go, they weren't really being promoted here plus I think their music certainly felt both of its time and out of time in comparison to the stuff really captivating audiences. It's incredible that they have the standing they do, but are still somehow overlooked in the grand scheme of things.