Cupid & Psyche 85

Scritti Politti performed at my nan's 70th birthday party. They hopped on stage and began sucking eachother's dicks like their lives depended on it. My nan couldn't mask her disgust and stormed out. The rest of us enjoyed the rest of the show and later ate sausage rolls and had chats about our latest diets and the podcasts we were currently enjoying. Nan was found dead, hanging from a tree in the woods outside. The funeral was a sad occasion and we all consoled ourselves by hiring Scritti Politti to perform, where they proceeded to suck eachother off once again, this time on top.of her stupid coffin.

Three words will make my blood run cold now: 80s British pop. Getting that out of the way, I don’t really understand why I needed to hear this before I slip the mortal coil. I’m happy for Mr. Gartside’s success in the 80s, but this is just like Wham! without George Michael. It was fine at the time, but feels redundant in this small list of albums to hear before I hear no more.

10/10 I want Patrick Bateman to mansplain this album to me

This is a mistake, right? There are a total of four reviews for this thing (3 one star reviews and one generous 2). Was there suddenly a massive revisionist history on this album that suggested it suddenly and immediately get added to the list? I'll give it this much: Perfect Way is a pleasant little pop song. For 1985. And one that '80's stations can't even bother to dust off now and then. Everything else sounds like it soundtracks an awful '80's movie like Zapped or Short Circuit.

Pretty good mid-80's fare. It's not bad to listen to, but every track is just the same template. They had the one hit, but didn't do anything to standout from all the other similar bands of the time.

4.1 - Around the 2010's I was listening to lots of bands like Oneohtrix Point Never, Com Truise, Haim... that incorporated 1980's synth sounds. To me, this Scritti Politti record, which I'd never heard before, surpasses most of that 80's revivalism, providing the very source material for its imitators. All of the tricks and tropes are on here, and SP weave this smattering of elements artfully. It's an impressive album-length timepiece of swirly and colorful bubble gum.

If Wham! are a bit too hardcore for you, this will be right up your street

Immediate though on opening baseline, “God, bands fucking loved the “reggae” demo on their Casio keyboards in the 80’s.” Track one: I hate this so far. Absolute: WHAT THE FUCK IS HAPPENING, IS THIS A JOKE?? Might have to stop listening to this one. Fuck I hate this. Perfect way: okay, I can see why this is their popular song from this album, but I don’t really love it personally. I can just recognize the hallmarks of a “good” song in it 🤷🏻‍♂️ The very next song: WHAT IS THIS BABY VOICE??? God I hated this so much. I hope I never hear it again.

I will admit upfront, I am quite fond of Scritti Politti by way of osmosis - my neighbour had their pictures on the wall. cut from Smash Hits, and they were fairly regular contributors to my beloved Now! compilations and similar. To those who think this sounds dated and cheesy, I can assure you it sounded that way *at the time*! I think Green et al. deliberately took the '80s sound to its extreme, creating a fey vocal and production style that made contemporary Prefab Sprout sound like Motorhead in comparison. They had quite a varied history - starting out quirkier and more abrasive than fellow post-punkers like Gang of Four and Wire (yes, really), then turning to pop (original version of Madness' "Sweetest Girl", followed by two uber-shiny hit albums including this one) and later working with Shabba Ranks and Mos Def (yes, really!). I doubt Provision is on this list, but from it you should check out "Oh, Patti", the apotheosis of this sound also featuring Miles Davis (again, yes really!). Love it or hate it, you have to admit that at least "Perfect Way" and "Wood Beez" are great pop tunes (the latter produced by the arranger of the original Aretha number referenced; once again: yes, really!). Maybe Dirty Projectors are the closest modern equivalent, similarly skilled in pop music and production style from a warmly-academic perspective. Generous 4, loved hearing it again

Ok. Depeche Mode this is not. OMD this is not. Tears for Fears this is not. There are probably countless examples of bands of this era that are more notable for their use of sequencers and electronics. Here's why I think this album is notable, or even stretching to important, to merit this being on the list. 2 reasons really, and it's a double edged sword for both. 1. Extensive use of sampling, and to a lesser degree MIDI, both of which were in its advent years in 83-85. Sampling at this time was still 8-bit and not very complex or deep, so it would have been amazing to repeat a sample on demand, but much better sampling technology was still to come. 2. This is all before fully digital recording was mainstream, so despite not sounding "sterile", it also was the harbinger of an "overprocessed" sound that was so prevalent in the late 80's (nu shooz, Lisa Lisa and Cult Jam, Stacey Q, etc.) Two examples of albums that transcend this are probably Depeche's Music For the Masses and Pet Shop Boys' Please, which would be released in the next 2 years. Musically, Lyrically, it's good, solid stuff. It's quirky, and a little funky in a brit, bubblegum pop kind of way. It's just buried in technology. I did buy the album at the time, but just didn't appeal to me in the long run and got rid of it. Most of the tunes are good with catchy hooks (Wood Beez remains my favorite along with the single mix of Perfect Way, but Absolute gets some new appreciation this time around), but some are not (Hypnotize and Small Talk, I'm looking at you).

If you castrated George Michael and made him sing against his will, he would still sound better than this group.

This guy listened to his contemporaries, learned all the wrong lessons, and then tried to copy them

80s in all the clichéd ways possible. Tropes galore. Not bad but definitely a personal pass.

I'm pretty sure Green Gartside pilfered this album on a multiversal music heist where he stole it wholesale from a dimension where Prince has no charisma.

The Word Girl- 4.7/5 Small Talk- 4.8/5 Absolute- 3.8/5 A Little Knowledge- 5/5 Don't Work That Hard- 5/5 Perfect Way- 5/5 Lover to Fall- 4.8/5 Wood Beez- 4.6/5 Hypnotize- 4.9/5 Total- 4.7/5

Never heard of them before but it sounds like something out of a John Hughes movie.

**Album Review: "Cupid & Psyche 85" by Scritti Politti** Released in 1985, "Cupid & Psyche 85" is the second studio album by British band Scritti Politti, fronted by singer-songwriter Green Gartside. The album marked a significant shift from the band's earlier, more experimental post-punk roots to a sophisticated and meticulously crafted pop sound. "Cupid & Psyche 85" achieved both critical and commercial success, blending avant-garde elements with mainstream appeal. The album is often hailed for its innovative production, intricate musical arrangements, and poetic lyrics. In this review, we will examine the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also considering its strengths and weaknesses. ### Lyrics The lyrics of "Cupid & Psyche 85" are characterized by their poetic ambiguity, intellectual references, and playful use of language. Green Gartside, the band's primary lyricist, weaves together a tapestry of abstract imagery, philosophical allusions, and romantic motifs. The songs often blur the line between sincerity and irony, inviting multiple interpretations. 1. **Intellectual Allusions**: Gartside frequently draws on literary and philosophical references, which enrich the songs with layers of meaning. For instance, the track "The Word Girl" explores themes of language and semiotics, with its title itself playing on the ambiguity of the term "word." "Absolute" contains nods to existentialism, while "Perfect Way" cleverly juxtaposes the ideas of perfection and vulnerability. 2. **Ambiguity and Wordplay**: The lyrics are filled with puns, wordplay, and ambiguous phrasing. Gartside's use of language is both playful and thought-provoking. For example, in "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)," the title alone is a complex pun on "would-be," "wood bees," and a nod to the gospel influence of Aretha Franklin. This song, like many others on the album, is written in a way that can be appreciated for its surface-level catchiness while also rewarding deeper analysis. 3. **Romanticism and Irony**: Throughout the album, there is a tension between romanticism and irony. Songs like "A Little Knowledge" and "Lover to Fall" delve into themes of love and desire but often undercut their earnestness with a knowing wink. This duality creates a sense of complexity, making the lyrics both accessible and enigmatic. ### Music Musically, "Cupid & Psyche 85" represents a masterclass in the fusion of pop, funk, R&B, and electronic music. The album's sound is defined by its polished production, lush arrangements, and the use of cutting-edge technology of the time. 1. **Genre Blending**: The album effortlessly blends different musical styles. Tracks like "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" and "Absolute" draw heavily from funk and R&B, with tight basslines, syncopated rhythms, and soulful backing vocals. At the same time, there is a strong influence of electronic music, evident in the use of synthesizers, drum machines, and sequencers throughout the album. "Perfect Way" is a prime example of this fusion, combining a catchy pop melody with funk rhythms and electronic textures. 2. **Sophisticated Arrangements**: The arrangements on "Cupid & Psyche 85" are both complex and meticulously constructed. Each song is layered with multiple tracks of instruments and vocals, creating a dense, textured sound. The basslines, often played by renowned bassist Marcus Miller, are particularly notable for their fluidity and groove. The percussion is intricate and varied, incorporating both live drums and programmed beats. The use of synthesizers adds a glossy sheen to the music, while also allowing for experimentation with different timbres and effects. 3. **Melodic Hooks**: Despite the complexity of the arrangements, the album never loses sight of its pop sensibility. Each song is built around a strong melodic hook, making the tracks instantly memorable. "The Word Girl" and "Hypnotize" are particularly effective in this regard, with their infectious choruses and catchy melodies. Gartside's falsetto vocals add a unique character to the songs, conveying both vulnerability and playfulness. ### Production The production of "Cupid & Psyche 85" is arguably its most distinctive feature. Produced by Arif Mardin, a legendary figure known for his work with artists like Aretha Franklin, Chaka Khan, and the Bee Gees, the album is a showcase of state-of-the-art 1980s recording techniques. 1. **High Fidelity Sound**: The album is marked by its crystal-clear production quality. Every element of the music is meticulously recorded and mixed, with a focus on clarity and precision. This high-fidelity approach ensures that each instrument is heard distinctly, while still contributing to the overall texture of the music. The production style is emblematic of the 1980s, characterized by a "big" sound that emphasizes both bass and treble frequencies. 2. **Technological Innovation**: "Cupid & Psyche 85" was recorded using the latest digital recording technology available at the time. The use of sequencers, samplers, and drum machines is prominent throughout the album. These technologies allowed for a level of precision and complexity that was not possible in earlier decades. The album's use of digital sampling, for example, enabled the creation of new and unique sounds that were crucial to its innovative aesthetic. 3. **Layered and Polished**: The production is highly polished, with multiple layers of instrumentation and vocals carefully balanced to create a rich, full sound. This level of detail extends to the vocal arrangements as well, with Gartside's voice often multi-tracked to create harmonies and counter-melodies. The result is a lush, textured sound that is both sophisticated and accessible. ### Themes "Cupid & Psyche 85" explores a range of themes, from love and desire to language and perception. The album's thematic content is both introspective and outward-looking, reflecting Gartside's intellectual curiosity and his engagement with contemporary cultural and philosophical ideas. 1. **Love and Desire**: Many of the songs on the album deal with themes of love, desire, and relationships. However, they do so in a way that often subverts traditional romantic tropes. For example, "The Word Girl" examines the way language can shape and define our understanding of love, while "Lover to Fall" suggests a more cynical view of romantic entanglement. 2. **Language and Semiotics**: A recurring theme throughout the album is the idea of language and its limitations. Gartside, influenced by post-structuralist theories, seems to question the ability of words to fully capture human experience. This is most evident in songs like "The Word Girl," where the lyrics play with the concept of language as a construct, and "Absolute," which explores the ambiguity of meaning. 3. **Irony and Critique**: There is a strong element of irony and self-awareness throughout the album. Gartside often critiques the very forms and genres he is working within, creating a sense of reflexivity. This is particularly evident in "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)," where the homage to soul music is both sincere and tongue-in-cheek. The album's title itself, "Cupid & Psyche 85," suggests a blend of high art (the classical myth of Cupid and Psyche) with contemporary pop culture (1985 as a reference to its release date). ### Influence "Cupid & Psyche 85" has had a lasting influence on both pop music and more avant-garde genres. Its innovative production techniques and genre-blending style have been cited as an inspiration by a wide range of artists. 1. **Pop and R&B**: The album's fusion of pop and R&B set a precedent for many later artists, particularly in the 1990s and 2000s. Artists like Justin Timberlake, Janet Jackson, and even contemporary acts like Dua Lipa have drawn on the same mix of funk, electronic music, and catchy pop hooks that Scritti Politti pioneered on this album. 2. **Production Techniques**: The use of digital technology and sampling on "Cupid & Psyche 85" influenced a whole generation of producers and musicians. The album's clean, polished sound, its use of synthesizers, and its complex arrangements can be heard in the work of producers like Timbaland, Pharrell Williams, and even in more recent electronic and indie music. 3. **Cult Following and Critical Reappraisal**: Over time, "Cupid & Psyche 85" has achieved a cult status among music critics and fans. It is often cited as a landmark album of the 1980s, both for its innovation and its enduring appeal. The album has been reappraised in recent years as a precursor to the genre-blurring, experimental pop music that has become more prevalent in the 21st century. ### Pros and Cons **Pros:** - **Innovative Production**: The album's use of digital technology and state-of-the-art production techniques set a new standard for pop music in the 1980s. - **Complex Arrangements**: The intricate musical arrangements showcase a high level of craftsmanship and attention to detail, blending different genres seamlessly. - **Thought-Provoking Lyrics**: The lyrics are poetic, ambiguous, and intellectually engaging, offering multiple layers of interpretation. - **Memorable Melodies**: Despite its complexity, the album never loses sight of its pop appeal, featuring strong melodic hooks and catchy choruses. - **Cultural Impact**: The album's influence on subsequent artists and producers is significant, particularly in the realms of pop, R&B, and electronic music. **Cons:** - **Overproduction**: Some listeners might find the production style too polished or overproduced, lacking the rawness or spontaneity of other contemporary albums. - **Abstract Lyrics**: The ambiguity and intellectualism of the lyrics may be off-putting to those looking for more straightforward or relatable themes. - **Dated Sound**: While the production was cutting-edge at the time, some aspects of the album's sound—such as the heavy use of synthesizers and drum machines—may feel dated to modern listeners. - **Lack of Emotional Directness**: The album's ironic and self-aware tone can sometimes create a sense of emotional distance, making it harder for some listeners to connect with the songs on a personal level. ### Conclusion "Cupid & Psyche 85" by Scritti Politti is a groundbreaking album that pushed the boundaries of pop music in the 1980s. Its innovative production, complex musical arrangements, and thought-provoking lyrics have earned it a place in the pantheon of classic albums. While some may find its polished sound and intellectual approach alienating, its influence on later generations of artists is undeniable. "Cupid & Psyche 85" remains a compelling example of how pop music can be both accessible and artistically ambitious, blending sophistication with mass appeal in a way that few albums have managed to replicate.

At the time of writing, “Cupid & Psyche 85” is one of the twenty lowest rated albums on this entire site, and most pertinently, almost THE lowest rated album that isn’t a branch of experimental/noise/metal/industrial/avant-garde. Call me a square, but… I’m struggling to understand exactly why. With this album, Welsh frontman Green Gartside supposedly leaned into 1980’s pop production with a knowing and ironic side-eye. His aim was to write a love letter to the genre while warmly satirising it, with lyrical explorations of love, language, and music itself. So far, so Stephen Merritt: I’m in. Where does this approach get us over the ensuing 38 minutes (good length, by the way)? Well, cheery cod-reggae opener “The Word Girl” unpacks the use of the word “girl” in pop music, according to Derrida’s philosophy of deconstruction. There’s a synth-pop smash called “Absolute” which references the Kantian principle of absolution. And most famous single “Wood Beez” supposedly processes Gartside’s move away from materialist and Marxist views towards a rediscovery of linguistics, aided by Aretha Franklin’s move away from gospel into pop. Now, I’m not learned enough to truly understand the philosophical diversions Gartside is taking here, and whether they’re of any merit whatsoever (I have a sneaking suspicion the answer is no)… but credit to him for having the chutzpah to use such frames of reference in this context. What I can completely understand is that as a result, “Cupid & Psyche 85” risks coming across as an annoying combination of lightweight, insubstantial pop and a cynical smugness dressed as “ironic songwriting”. Sure. But, at the risk of turning like Patrick Bateman, let me declare there are no complaints from me: the whole set of songs here is damn enjoyable. What Gartside may lack in vocal power, he makes up for with a featherweight conversational tone and an absolute abundance of synths. He’s also joined by B.J. Nelson in “A Little Knowledge” and “Hypnotize”, who lends a very welcome extra dimension and ensures the songs don’t suffer when the tempo dips. The hooks throughout the record are masterful, being influenced by classic R&B and emergent hip-hop: “Perfect Way” is top-notch as a single, as is “Wood Beez”. I happen to be a sucker for such a range of chirping and cheeping synthesisers, all twinkling like stars around cosmic echoey drums. And bursting in are funk guitars, lead riffs (as in “Small Talk”), deliciously corny brass hits, or copious slapped bass (funk workout “Don’t Work That Hard” being possibly the best example of all of it together). For me, the unmistakably of-its-time production is part of the album’s charm, and doesn’t render the arrangements any less artful or intricate: there are some interesting textures, accompaniments and rhythms going on beneath the layers of superficiality. …Seriously, why is this so low? Lighten up, guys.

holy fuckin vibe

This may be brilliant, yet despite listening to it more times than I cared to count today, I need more time to understand if it is! Three songs already pierce: The Word Girl, Absolute and Wood Beez. Am reminded of Kraftwerk in that the striking presentation appears to be entirely at the service of an intimate worldview, like Scritti Politti could not say what they are saying any other way. That this is clearly the product of modish studios pumped to their most modish is, incredibly, irrelevant: it’s like the studio form was waiting for the perfect content, and that content turned out to be Scritti Politti.

OK for once, but won't remember this tomorrow.

3 - Michael Jackson is that you? Thought it had some great beats. Very repetitive though, so glad i managed to get through it in one sitting.

So Top of the Pops. Can vividly imagine Steve Wright or Simon Mayo introducing them.

Twinkly schlock-pop. ————————— …but since it’s Halloween, and you’re here looking for a treat, let me offer you an alternate record you should hear before you die that isn’t on this list: Goblin’s soundtrack to the film “Suspiria”

This album is what happens when the on first impact forward thinking Synthpop is abused into dull and one dimensional "wannabe" music that lacks both delivery and writing. The songs try to be "special" and "interesting" but end up beeing repetetive and dull after a couple of minutes. Most of it tries to throw in as much 80's synth work and "experimental" bits that then turn into an incoherent mess of slightly below average 80's pop tunes that aged like raw milk. While, yes, this is a pretty good description on how most songs of that era and within the R&B and Soul realm sounded, the result we get is very, very boring. All the work was put into the actually really good sounding production but once it came to deliver or just put in some emotion... well that's the part they stopped. 'The Word Girl' opens the album with a Raggae influenced beat and mindnumbing average lyrics about... well, a girl. The idea that they were going for is very present but what came out is pretty much the defenition of average. They were going for a very synthy Soul sounding song but what lacks is the soul in here. It's a shell, like most the album presents. The following 'Small Talk' might be a little more annoying at points but that makes it a "much" more interesting listen, even if I do not want to have any of this put near my ears anytime soon because it's definitely worse. One of the better songs here is 'Absolute' that goes a more Funk and R&B approach opposed to the very Pop start. It is pretty decent but still nothing I will come back to on my own decision. It's listenable, it's got some groove and isn't as dreadfully boring. Just your slightly below average song with average sound and average performance. Not the best sign if that is the description for the arguably best song on the album. The longest song here is 'A Little Knowledge', a track that sounds so fake and sterile that it made me feel ill. It is such a bad rip-off of Soul that I feel that they could've said the n-word and it would sound less racist. I'm normally all for sharing culture and don't really see cultural appropriation as a big problem but this?... oh god it's so bad. And let's not talk about the lyrics, they could've been written by 12 yr old girl that just startet writing "poetry". 'Don't Work That Hard' is just annoying. It might be even worse with the very annoying vocals and instruments that at one point seem to just repeat forever and loose even the little groove they had. The albums second half opens with 'Perfect Way' that continues what was already here. Songs that are so boring that they become annoying and even when they aren't boring, they're annoying on their own. And both of that is mixed together so well (or bad) that everytime you hear any sound start, you already want it to end because you heard what the song can offer. The slight seconds of nothing at the start. 'Lover to Fall' is just cringe and it is so bad that the moment the mf that put his voice on here stops to sing, a relief starts to flow into your body and makes you even enjoy the bridge after the chorus. With 'Wood Beez' we get a song that in comparison seems to be "good" but once you let the first few seconds of hope wear off, you find a song that sounds exactly like the rest with nothing that sounds good or original or interesting. This dreadful piece of "music" ends with 'Hypnotize' and I am so happy that that song title is mainly connected to Biggie and NOT Scritti Politti because the song is, again, pretty bad. The vocals are annoying, the instruments feel sooo arrogant and I just want to hear this album end. favourites: Absolute least favourites: Don't Work That Hard, A Little Knowledge, Lover to Fall, Perfect Way, Hypnotize, Wood Beez Rating: strong 2/10 https://rateyourmusic.com/~Emil_ph for more ratings, reviews and takes

I infuriates me that something so unlistenable in this day warrants consideration as a 'must listen' album. I have to wonder if the authors got to 900 albums and just added 101 UK pop albums they remember from their isolated childhood where they didn't get to go outside and play because they were locked in the basement with nothing but pop radio playing. 1/5.

there are certain points in your life where your behavior goes to far that you actually see yourself from the outside, as others see you. as a fan of 80s music listening to Scritti Politti, this is one of those moments. is this what it sounds like when i'm getting deep into Prince and Cyndi Lauper?

Sounds like a camp Michael Jackson, without the noncing...probably...maybe not.

Aw hell nah miss me with that 80s bullshit.

I lived this. Love how the keys and drums sound. Thought it was very executed.

Gorgeous, a classic

Easy album to rate: 10/10. Band started off making typical 78-82 post-punk music and then at first sight became a mainstream pop-band, but it is just a format. All their work is great in every aspect.

This album is one of the symbols of the 80's

This is the bullshit that I like.

The most 80s album imaginable. Parody isn’t quite the right word, maybe hyperpop? I like the way Green takes on male and female roles, singing duets with himself. He’s a bit of a smarty pants, all the references to Derrida and Lacan, and I like that as well.

Groovy pop

When I read the name I thought I would enjoy it a lot less than I did. After reading who they'd worked with I thought I'd enjoy it a lot more than I did. Overall pretty good lol

Favourite songs: Absolute, The Word Girl, Hypnotize, Perfect Way, Small Talk, Wood Beez, Don't Work That Hard, Lover to Fall Least favourite songs: A Little Knowledge 5/5

Masterpiece!

cool

Small Talks synths are a vibe Absolute's opening sounds like a musical Some interesting things happening I notably enjoyed Small Talk as well Cool stuff, I dig it. Probably not playlist material for me but definitely a vibe

a lot of the production techniques are just dreamy ad infinitum, listening to this i feel as if im being played a very generic 80s album through a massive, ethereally glowing orb

Just read what Christgau wrote about this album. It's all that needs to be said.

I don't know what's up with all the low reviews. This album was an Absolute bop through and through. Yes, they are kind of like a discount Wham! The thing is, Wham! is perfect through and through, so what could they really do? I love the synths, the drum machines, the arrangements and note choices. Really, my only problem is that this album was mixed weirdly. Everything is a bit thinner than it should be, and that's why I think it sounds like discount Wham! They needed a bit more reverb on everything.

I enjoyed this quite a lot. It's sickly sweet, synth heavy, happy, upbeat 80's British pop music. It's quirky, a little funky and also a bit cheesy in places in a bubblegum pop kind of way. Most of the tunes are good with catchy hooks and interesting and pleasant vocals throughout, very enjoyable. The baselines are funky and it's got a hint of disco. It's just over half an hour of fun, which is just the right length of time before it starts getting a little too samey.

Love a bit of 80’s nostalgia. Baseline is funky and vocals are sweet. My favourite scritti politti song was a few years before this but enjoyed the album.

Very short (under 40 minutes), but pretty decent. Clearly the work of a very tight band, or a single artist with a solid vision and a band happy to follow.

I liked this! Felt fairly upbeat and playful. Had a pretty poppy sound but that's fine by me. Nice to have some variety on this list, and from a UK source to boot. Wood Beez was my favourite track.

Unique sound, very enjoyable - nice background music but has a driving beat that gives you a bit of energy.

4 or 5 stars for me. Good album

Me encanta max tundra y ahora por fin entiendo de donde puede haber venido gran parte de su inspiración. Hablando un poco mas del disco me parece increible la calidad de las colaboraciones, tener a marcus miller tocando bajo y a miles davis en un single es otra cosa, aunque el single no este en el disco.

Weird attempt at being commercial

This was fine. Low 4. I think that it didn’t do anything crazy but all of it sounded good. 6.5/10 maybe.

Nice

Easy to listen to. Never heard of them.

The lighter side of new wave. A little silly, but always bouncy, tuneful, and fun.

This isn't something I typically seek out, but I'm two listens back to back on this one already and really enjoying the vibe. There is some 80s cheese, for sure (A Little Knowledge), but there are a lot of great upbeat synth-pop jams (Wood Beez, Absolute, Don't Work That Hard). Some of this feels similar to Prince in character, but less overtly sexual and generally cleaner. Plenty of lovely 80s bass, synth tones, and sex-guitar throughout with super clean production. Makes for some glittery music that feels perfectly suited to soundtrack montages of consumer culture. This one surprised and wooed me -- high 4 / 5.

I think the Scritti Politti needs a dash of the snappy peppy to please my palate. I reckon it was fine, but didn't please me much...except Perfect Way, and maybe kind of one other track, but I don't remember which and don't want to bother to go back to it. I feel like I am also a bit difficult to please of late. So, I will give it a bit of a bump, assuming that it is me...not SP.

A fun trip to the 80s. I've always loved Perfect Way.

Hated Scritti Politti back in the day. However, saw them recently, and glad to see their live show has moved on.

half Seinfeld: The Original Soundtrack and half a demo disc for a 1985 syndrum kit

Pleasant surprise....easy listening

I liked this album. It’s a bit samey, but the songs are catchy and bright. I’ve had Wood Beez stuck in my head all damn day and night!

Really enjoyed the two listens. Nothing ground breaking, but I enjoyed the straight ahead pop and funky bass lines. 4/5!

Scritti Politti a name I haven't heard (or thought about) for a long time. I can't recall any emotions associated with this band and listening to this album confirmed that. It's alright, not bad but also not great or original. Most of the tracks are pleasant to listen to and a sizable part of the purpose of music is that it is pleasant to listen to. I have added this to my favorites so it deserves 4 stars. I must be getting soft in my old age, no that's not it still absolutely loath Johnny Rotten so this album has probably always been alright. That's all I am going to say about music today now get off my lawn.

Pretty nice album, enjoyed it

Tipo reggae-pop. Muy ochentero. En momentos me recuerda vagamente a Michael Jackson y/o Rick Astley

3.75

Really wasn’t expecting to really like this album. So ridiculously 80s it’s near on perfect. Well produced and sounds sonically good. Synth pop at its best. Another way to look at this is if Savage Garden were in the 80s.

Very interesting. 4+/5

"Cupid & Pysche 85" is the second album by British pop band Scritti Politti. Lead singer and musician Green Gartside took the music in a commercial pop direction with more state-of-the-art production. Because of this, he was only member from their first album to remain. Other newer members included David Gamson (keyboards) and Fred Maher (drums and electric drums). Gartside added both of these guys as the album began recording in New York. The lyrical themes address issues of language and politics. Commercially, the album did very well in the UK hitting #5 with three singles reaching the UK top 20. It also received generally positive reviews. "The World Girl" opens the album with a reggae beat. Wow, Gartside does have a high-pitched voice. The melody is keyboard-driven and very much pop. Easy, soft and light in a good way. "Absolute" gets a dance beat going..very 80's. A prevalent bass sound. Cascading keyboard. The keyboards keep driving the melody in their big one "Perfect Way." It struck me during that Gartside is trying to capture a 80's pop R&B sound in a Prince sort of way. And, he doing a pretty good job. A pop dance beat, catchy chorus, horn sounds and we get a keyboard jam. " He has the perfect way to make the girls go crazy." "Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" starts a little harder with a deep bass and heavy electronic drums. R&B guitar slashes. The album closer "Hypnotize" keeps the horns going. Weird beats and bass noises. This has a groove. Great backing vocals by B.J. Nelson I guarantee in 1985 at 17, I would not have given this album the time of day. It is very pop and maybe besides one song not an edge to anything. Fast-forward 38 years later and I actually appreciated the pop they were trying to make and they did it at a high level being very well produced. The music absolutely captures the 80's pop sound. This a very good album to go back to and hear some well-made pop-dance songs.

They have a pretty cool, quintessential 80’s sound. The songs started to sound the same after a while.

Was surprised by this one - had strong Off the Wall/Thriller vibes to the beats. Could see myself putting this on again.

Has a catchy synth-y 80's vibe. Voice reminds me of a young Michael Jackson. Spunky.

This is a group whose name I have always had a laugh at but whose tunes I've never knowingly heard. I didn't even know they were British. These vibes were immaculate - halfway through I found myself thinking of "I Feel For You" by Chaka Kahn and then wiki tells me this dude worked with her eventually. DIY post punk guy gets sick of indie pretentiousness and admits that he loves pop music, reggae, and American dance music. The drums are snappy, the synths are going off, the singing is 80s boy falsetto - it's sweet and glittery like a bowl full of gumdrops. I feel like I can hear a lot of Scritti Politti influence in some modern alternative bands (Tame Impala, mostly)

Mental

Upon the first seconds of Cupid & Psyche '85, one can imagine the sense of dread that's bound to await them. A canned goods sounding reggae beat punctuating its first impression upon the senses is not a good way to start things. Eventually though, that changes and Scritti Politti mark their ascent from Marxist inspired punks to admirable poachers of the Paisley Park aesthetic. Cupid & Psyche '85 is the sounds of a band arriving at the right place at the right time in regards to how they want to approach things and they make you want more by the time it ends. At least that's how I felt when Hypnotize ended near the frozen section at Whole Foods. Favorites: Small Talk, Absolute, A Little Knowledge, Don't Work to Hard, Perfect Way, Wood Beez, Hypnotize.

A vibrant and industrial-heavy bubblegum synth-pop band, with a very clean 80s sound that has synths overpowering everything else. It's a very busy atmospheric album with a lovely bright mood, hearing contemporary influences like Human League, MJ, and UB40. Seriously, the sound is so busy, there are at least half a dozen different synths at play all working together. Good stuff, enjoyed it all with several stand-outs.

Cool

Rating: 8/10 Best songs: The world girl, Absolute, Small talk, Don’t work that hard

new-to-me and I like it (4)

This is about as 80's bubblegum pop as I can imagine, which makes it simultaneously disgusting and irresistable.

Catchy tunes. Nice new find. I went on to listen to their entire catalog.

Koffor har eg aldri hørt på detta, da va jo jævlig cheesy og bra. Nesten på høyde med Modern Talking

I only know Scritti Politti from Rhodri Marsden on twitter, and he wasn't in the band when this album was written and recorded. If he was, I'm sure the lyrics would have included many witty observations of Christmas sleeping arrangements and tips on fatherhood. I only knew Green Gartside from 'Between the Clock and the Bed', and I like his voice here as much as I do on that record. It is GG's voice and the high quality production that is most striking about this art pop album. It really elevates the fairly average song writing, creating a instantly recognisable, unique and luxurious sound. Rating: 3.5/5 Playlist track: Perfect Way Date listened: 01/07/23

Enjoyed it more than I thought I would. 80s synth-pop at its finest

What a strange brew. Equal parts synth-pop and rock leaning. This is one of those albums that I had no idea what it was going to be. What I walked away with was an utter surprise. I really enjoyed this weird ass music.

Sounds like Michael Jackson. Not so bad, always nice to hear such a music at home.

Oddly enough I actually enjoyed this one. Very typical 80s sound by the book. Interesting mix of sounds on this one.

Almost painfully 80's. I liked it.

4/5 the weeknd com michael jackson e notas de depeche mode

Ces gars-là enchaînent les michaeljacksonneries sans aucun complexe et qui peut leur en vouloir ? Eltrapeze ?

80s Soundtrack style. Easy listen. Nothing remarkable.

Really gives me prince vibes. Enjoyable listen

UK 80’er pop, synth, mj-vokal

Best leuk

This isn't the worst 80s era album I've ever heard but it's hard to listen to the cheesy synth and breathy vocals.

I was only familiar with the name Scritti Politti from seeing that it was an album on this list. The name led me to believe it would be something dark and heavy, like industrial music or metal. I definitely wasn't expecting adult contemporary 80s synth pop. Once I realized my error, I was pleasantly surprised...until the sophisti-pop and blue-eyed soul started coming through. Blegh.

Were they incredible? No, but this was at least listenable compared to alot of the other nonsense on this list. Yeah it's a very reggae-ish 80s sounding poppy kind of sound but it's not bad. Honestly the group sounds kinda fun. 6/10.

I really loved the vibe! It had a little hint of MJ x spice girls i think. But it afther a while it got a little repetitive imo