Steve McQueen

When people say they don't understand this album, or that it's "too 80's" , what they really mean is that they have never felt soaring, impossible limerance and soul-wrenching heartbreak; their lives have been absent of love and loss. Or, even worse, that they have bad taste in music. Five soulful stars suckas

A nice if unexceptional record. I’d never heard of this group before, but this further confirms my theory that this list is mostly made by white British critics in their forties and fifties picking their favorite stuff rather than trying to get a list of the most important albums of the modern era. Bony was my favorite tack, it had great production and a nice little melody, as was when love breaks down. Maybe I should have known about this group and missing something?

My god. What part of this album did they say “wow people need to hear this before they die?” Maybe it’s something British that I don’t understand but the whole Steve McQueen bit doesn’t work at all for this album. I’d bet money that one of those tossers saw that bike on the road and said “Oy! Look at me I’m Bullet” and that’s how they took their album cover. I’m not sure where they came up with their name either but nothing about this band and album makes any sense to me. To be clear, I did like Bonny. That was a good song, but like a few others on this list, one good song shouldn’t get you this far. This is just a case of one too many bands of the time trying to vie for my attention. The last thing I am looking for is a new 80’s British Pop band to add to my collection. I’m also enjoying the beat on Horsin’ Around but this whole album kind of feels like that is what they were doing. Also the guy in the back standing up looks like Bill from Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventure.

Holy shit did this album catch me by surprise. I had never even heard of Prefab Sprout before this and I loved every track on this album. This might be the first album this generator has introduced me to for the first time that I absolutely, fully enjoyed. Literally don't have enough good things to say about it. Fav songs: bonny, when love breaks down, goodbye lucille

Never heard of these chaps, but blimey, this is some great '80s pop. The opening track had me thinking this would sound like a cross between Oingo Boingo and the Smiths, but that notion faded quickly as the album went on. They have a cool, optimistic sound. Wikipedia calls it "sophisti-pop" which is funny but seems fitting. Nowhere near as bright and synthy as the usual '80s fare, but I think that works to their advantage, as it doesn't sound so dated. At times, this even reminded me of acts like Beach House and Tame Impala, real hipster stuff. I really dig this album. Favorite tracks: Bonny, Goodbye Lucille #1, Desire As. Album art: Hell yeah. A soft British pop band dressed in tough guy jackets and paying homage to Steve McQueen. I'm pleasantly surprised to learn that the woman featured is actually in the band! Keyboards and some vocals, like a Vicki St. Elmo. The jackets are cool, the motorcycle is cool, the fog, the barbed wire fence, everything is cool. Steve McQueen is cool. This band is really cool. 4/5

This was one of the least memorable albums I’ve ever heard

I have always admired Paddy McAloon as a songwriter. The 80s frequently get a bad rap musically. While I have a lot of issues with a lot of the production (overproduction) in the 80s, there is a great deal of good songcraft to come from that decade. For fans of sophisticated pop, Prefab Sprout’s Steve McQueen is near the top of that list. With obvious tips of the hat to Pasul McCartney and Elvis Costello, with some additional jazz-pop elements thrown in, Steve McQueen is a great listen from start to finish.

Astounding record without a single bad track. The songwriting by McAloon is phenomenally done, and the instrumentation sounds gorgeous. This album could have came out yesterday, it sounds that great. This is another band I had never heard of prior to listening to the track, but this has become one of my favorite listens all year.

What kind of shit joke is this? Prefab sprout without the hotdog jumping frog song? Who knew they were a serious outfit, I though they were just the 80s version of las ketchup. Should have stuck to novelty.

Maybe I just don't get it, but this album sucked ass and was super boring. Blegh.

This album was obviously meant for the 1001 insipid albums list. They almost grabbed my attention on Goodbye Lucille which built up to a chorus where the singer started putting in a bit of feeling. Then back to the humdrum verse. Then they really crushed my interest with the next song, followed by the next ad nauseum. I didn't know them. They were only successful in the UK which really tells the story. Lots of great British music hit our charts during the 2nd invasion (I'm Australian) but this stuff has nothing of interest. Horsin' Around is the final nail in the coffin. This album may end up with only one star. Yep. One star. It went from insipid to annoyingly twee.

Christ. Fagan flashbacks. I almost called it at track three but persevered. Not rewarded.

Wow that was truly miserable, I have no idea how anyone could connect with this: music is the driest, most unsoulful pop goop imaginable, the lyrics are weird, and the whole thing has a locked in a dark closet humming to himself vibe.

Every song is interesting! The lyrics are interesting on every song though occasionally stretched to make a rhyme work. I had never heard any of the songs on the album. Very 80s synth but in the best way. So much variation in instrumentation! I LOVE this album! My favorite song was Horsing Around mostly because of the brass

This didn't make a huge splash in the US, but it was a vital piece of 1980's college radio. It's among the best Side A to be found, with solid tracks back-to-back. This re-listen gave me a reason to revisit why I never "flip over the record", and was reminded that the second side is considerably less consistent. However, the rush of Faron, Bonny, Appetite, When Love Breaks Down, and Goodbye Lucille #1 more than justifies a solid rating. I'd give it 9 our of ten, but will round up for sheer nostalgia value and Thomas Dolby's production.

I love this album so much, I've become so obsessed in such little time. It's just that good. The first 5 songs.... just hit after hit for me. Highlights: Faron Young, Bonny, Appetite, When Love Breaks Down, Goodbye Lucille #1, Hallelujah

New wave hoedown on compact disc

I'm very sad that I haven't heard about this album until now. I'm getting pretty strong smiths vibes and kapput-era Destroyer (which is my favorite album of all time, so I'm pretty happy about this). The guitars are so crisp on this album, really kind of fresh and refreshing sounding. The melodies are absolute jams, that sometimes go in strange directions that I didn't expect at all, so I was kept on my toes. I feel like bands like War on Drugs and other modern synth rock/pop really encapsulate this same sound, but I found that this album was surprisingly more forward thinking, experimental and interesting than modern synthpop. There's something so smooth about these songs that make them extremely listenable despite throwing in experimental-isms throughout the album. This is definitely going on my "listen again" list.

Smart, sophisticated, and timelessly stylish, Steve McQueen (titled Two Wheels Good in the U.S. after threats of a lawsuit from the actor's estate) is a minor classic, a shimmering jazz-pop masterpiece sparked by Paddy McAloon's witty and inventive songwriting. McAloon is a wickedly cavalier composer, his songs exploring human weaknesses like regret ("Bonny"), lust ("Appetite"), and infidelity ("Horsin' Around") with cynical insight and sarcastic flair; he's also remarkably adaptable, easily switching gears from the faux country of "Faron Young" to the stately pop grace of "Moving the River." At times, perhaps, his pretensions get the better of him (as on "Desire As"), while at other times his lyrics are perhaps too trenchant for their own good; at those moments, however, what keeps Steve McQueen afloat is Thomas Dolby's lush production, which makes even the loftiest and most biting moments as easily palatable as the airiest adult contemporary confection.

If I want synthy 80s pop, I want it to be loud and proud! This gives me a feeling like garlic skin sticking to you all floaty and annoying. It's kind of half arsed never quite lets you climax or never gives 100% which is insanely irritating haha. I hate albums that are this long almost exclusively unless I really love all the songs. An irritating experience. Also just to counter a lot of reviews I've seen on here, I am British and I do not get this!

Starts off as a strong alternative LP but quickly loses itself in dated synths and truly awful songwriting. I swear everyone in the 80s set their Juno-6 to the same vocal-esque patch and used that for pads.

Yuck. Basically 80’s crap pop. This has everything I hate about 80’s music. Synthesizers, cheesy lead vocals, cheesy backup vocals, piano rhythms. Way too much emphasis on lousy singers and no real music behind it. Hated it.

I was incredibly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I'm familiar with one Prefab Sprout song, The King of Rock and Roll, and I like it quite a bit, but I've always thought of it as quite unserious, cheesy, and a bit of a dated 80s aesthetic. But this album bares little resemblance to that track. Instead its comprised of sparse reverbed soundscapes, with flourishes of beautiful guitar, only occasionally verging into danceable pop territory, as on Moving the River. Other tracks like Goodbye Lucille #1 remind me of Talk Talk. I kept waiting for this album to fall off and it doesn't really do it, though the strongest tracks are certainly on the first half. Fave Tracks: Faron Young, Bonny, Appetite, Goodbye Lucille #1 4.6/5

Always missed that band, but this album is amazingly beautiful

This was a pretty good find. Another great 80s Art Pop and New Wave album that I hadn’t checked out before. It has a wonderful nostalgic and reflective quality, paired with smooth and polished lush production. An added bonus is that it was produced by Thomas Dolby.

Wait a minute. I actually love this.

Hit me in a very fitting time of my life

Great album, wasn't aware of the high craftmanship of pop music on this record. Pleasant surprise.

Have this one on vinyl. A fan obviously. I'm a sucker for most British sophistipop. Love the Thomas Dolby production. Very crisp and three dimensional. Sounds great on headphones. So many nice touches in the arrangements throughout. The banjo on Faron Young may be my favorite use of banjo in all of recorded music. The more I listen to this the more details I enjoy.

Innocuous.

Jesus, that is one British album cover. Aaaaaaand it's a mix of new wave and pub rock/pop - exactly as expected. Fairly listenable in an inoffensive way, but I lost interest towards the end. 3/5.

J'ai passé un très bon moment devant cet album de manualisme

I’m not entirely sure what the first song thinks it’s doing on this record, the cow-punk on that track doesn’t really fit with the overall sound of this record, which, in a few spots, sounds closer to a less-technical Sea And Cake or maybe latter day Cornelius, to make a somewhat modern comparison. The production here is the highlight for me. Thomas Dolby’s vibrant production keeps this album from being an absolute snore.

Lame, boring 80s pop. The author of this list seems to favour this type of music for some unfathomable reason.

Parts we ok, but really I just found it boring.

Oh boy, it started ok but quickly became incredibly uninteresting. A catchy hook here and there got me hoping for more but it just kept getting worse. Just unoffensive and dull album that I don't need to (and definitely don't want to) listen to again.

Oh my, this was dreadful. Really, really painful. It was like the worst form of elevator music imaginable.

This is bad. It has some of the 80s tone to it but it isn't good. Thankfully it is only 45 minutes but it is not memorable. It is not the worst album on this list but it is not a 2.

Steve McQueen Prefab Sprout are one of those bands that for a long time I overlooked. While I’m not fully acquainted with all their stuff I do listen to their first few albums occasionally, they really made some great extremely well crafted 80s jangly indie pop. From memory this is probably their best or most fully realised album, even if it does dip a little in the second half and get a bit bogged down by itself. The run from Faron Young to Goodbye Lucille #1 is great, the lovely jangly 80s indie pop with country rockabilly guitar of Faron Young, the weary feel of Bonny, the synthy and propulsive Appetite, the jazz inflected pop craft of When Love Breaks Down, the tenderness and delicacy of sentiment of Goodbye Lucille #1 as builds to moments of tension. I like the guitar on Hallelujah and it has some great backing vocals and nice wry lyric, but has a slight adult mundanity to it. Moving the River is a good track, but I’m not a fan of the little sax motif. Horsin’ Around I really like, similar to When Love Breaks Down with its jazz inflection. I get the idea behind Desire As, but it has a woodenness and self seriousness that feels a bit overbearing. I struggle with the melody of Blueberry Pies and the overall mood is creates. Itrap. Obviously they have enough about them to be a cut above some of their contemporaries, and it’s fine line between wry and well crafted ‘sophisti-pop’ and slightly dull adult pop, and this one falls into that trap a little. When The Angels is a bit of return to the form of the first 5 or 6 tracks, bringing a bit of life and energy after the dip of Desire As and Blueberry Pies. When the songs dip on the second side the Thomas Dolby sound can be a bit anodyne, but on the rest of it I love the sound, clean and spacious, suiting the observational theme of the lyrics. If the quality of the first side carried on to the end I think it would be a 5, but as it is it lands as a solid 4. A very very good album from a very very good band. 🥬🥬🥬🥬 Playlist submission: Goodbye Lucille #1

feelgood experience

Conocía When Love Breaks Down. Un 4.

In the LP's solid first half, the band's creativity is balanced with pop sensibilities and delivers catchy songs. And then it falls off. Or maybe, it gets too sophisticated for me. Who knows.

This has as many boring songs as good or great ones, but even the boring songs are interesting. I read that Paddy McAloon trained to be a priest, which fits his delivery: “Desire As”, one of the flat tracks, sounds like it is being read from a codex. Why is “Horsin’ Around” on this record? God knows.

Side 1 full of classic tunes, Side 2 cheesy and boring as hell [EDIT - You might think this would be a fey classic, Mark, and you would be 50% correct]

Really enjoyed "Steve McQueen" from Prefab Sprout, and thought that musically - is was really next-level 80's pop... Most 80's bands - no matter how popular, were sort of basic level pop from a musical perspective, while this album was much more sophisticated musically... The album starts out incredibly strong - with "Faron Young", "Bonny, and "Appetite" - as I kept hearing hints of The Smiths in their music - which is quite a compliment... This was also a pretty diverse album musically, so I appreciate them playing around with that experimentation, as it was really well-done... The album lost a little steam as it went on, but the musicianship and vocals were top-shelf throughout... Definitely a solid 3 from me, and while I had heard of the band - I would NOT have been able to name a single song of theirs... Glad I listened...

Much of Steve McQueen sounds oddly familiar, but I’m almost positive I’ve never heard anything by Prefab Sprout. I have to hand something to them, though: Their general style, and particularly the vocals, seem to have influenced a number of bands in the nineties and aughts. The familiarity starts with “Bonny,” but I’m not sure if that’s because they sound like an amalgamation of all aughts alternative bands or because in this particular track the vocals sound quite a bit like those in “Up the Junction” by Squeeze, which actually came out years before this album did. “Appetite” sounds like a first round reject from the Stranger Things soundtrack. Aside from the music itself, “Goodbye Lucille #1” at first reminded me of Buster Bluth from Arrested Development, but then evolved into a reminder of the “Johnny, Johnny” lullaby commonly heard around Hanszen Sundeck circa Fall 2018. Eating sugar? No papa! The band’s familiarity (or perhaps their easy-to-replicate style) continues to show itself in “Hallelujah,” which sounds more like a mid-tier Death Cab for Cutie song than anything else. The tracks at the end of the record fall flat and blend together, particularly the uninspiring “Moving the River,” “Horsin Around,” and “Desire As.” Overall I found nothing much to like and nothing much to dislike about Steve McQueen. I wouldn’t be surprised if Prefab Sprout influenced a number of alternative bands, but there’s no mystery around why they didn’t stand the test of time.

Le groupe Prefabs Prout n'a jamais percé et il en est très complexé. Cet album concept intitulé "Steve McQueen" du nom de l'acteur connu n'aborde qu'un seul thème : la célébrité. Le projet est en quelque sorte une réponse à la deuxième ligne de leur page Wikipedia française qui avait semé la zizanie au sein du groupe.

There's nothing _wrong_ with this record per se, but I like pop music to _pop_, rock music to _rock_. And sophisti-pop like Prefab Sprout's 'Steve McQueen' does neither. Does the very existence of a 2006 bonus disc re-recording of most of the album arranged acoustically suggest that Paddy McAloon is embarrassed by the 80s sound? It does demonstrate that the songs hold their value independent of the production. Personally, I don't mind Thomas Dolby's lush and tasteful production, and 'Appetite' is my favourite track because it sounds the most like Thomas Dolby. I think Dolby adding 'banjo' to 'Faron Young' using a Fairlight CMI is the most hilariously 1980s thing ever. But generally, this album just washes over the listener in a haze of beautiful chords and synth pads and smooth vocals and clever but unpretentious lyrics and harmonies and blah blah blah. Is this just wannabe jazz for pseudo-hipsters that can't go the whole way to listen to real jazz? Or even jazz rock? Man up, dude, just buy a copy of Aja, you know you want to. Sophisti-pop like this is a gateway drug for Steely Dan. Just say no, kids. As Noel Murray, secret Steely Dan (and Al Stewart!) fan, wrote in his AV Club retrospective of 'Steve McQueen' : "These days, it's hard to sell Prefab Sprout to people who aren't already fans. The music-loving world has mostly forgotten that there was a time when McAloon was considered a songwriter to be reckoned with, for the way he mastered and redefined the breezy jetset soft-rock sound shared by bands like Aztec Camera and Haircut 100. To those not already inclined to appreciate that stuff, Prefab Sprout can sound gooey and sappy–too cloying by half. " Agreed; this record is so sugary that I feel myself going into diabetic shock. I can admire than quality, but I am so BOOOOOORED. More than that, I feel a growing urge within me to put on a Stooges record really loud, get loaded and fuck shit up. That's it, I'm off... you'll find me tomorrow in jail or hospital. Check both.

Mix of pop-like softer rock music initially like the Goodbye Lucille track was enjoyable... then tracks like Blueberry Pie that felt more like someone on open mic night...

Started off strong, but by the end I was waiting for it to be done. Still fairly decent Brit pop I guess.

Nooo this was so bad 1/5

Not good, this is more evidence that 1985 may very well be the worst year in music

Can’t do the English Beat, etc

Gets too 80s poppy in the middle but liking the songs that feel like the clash and the smiths had a baby

Great album title, weird band name. I don't remember hearing them but I think their name had to have held them back. All the songs are solid. I'm glad I heard this today.

This record hit me like a ton of bricks, what a beautiful album. It's my favourite record so far that I've discovered here. Almost the entirety of the album is just pure pop bliss, the songwriting is so beautiful and their singing and lyrics hit just right. I loved the synths and the mixes too, they set the ambience perfectly. Honestly, from "Bonny" to "Desire As" is just an unskippable run of great songs. My 2 absolute favourites were "Bonny" and "When Love Breaks Down". My only criticism is that neither the opener nor the closer are as good as the rest of the album, which takes away from it just a bit. Overall, it's a great album, a criminally underrated pop gem.

Dead good.

Якщо ми говоримо про поп музику, то в минулому вона була зовсім не схожа на сьогоднішню. Зовсім інший підхід до продакшену, різні речі вважаються чіпляючими, та і сам вайб є зовсім інший. І якщо ми говоримо про 80-ті, коли у Британії розвивалась альтернативна музика, та панували жанри jungle pop та sophisti pop. Тобто люди прагнули "розумної" та цікавої музики, і Prefab Sprout були одними із першопрохідців, що прагнули задовільнити цей попит, а їх другий альбом Steve McQueen - став їх магнум опусом. Це дуже приємна, в якійсь мірі, екзотична музика, що змішує в собі "лампове", джанглове гітарне звучання та обрамляє його складними джазовими гармоніями, що беруть свій початок із соулу та джазу. Альбом неймовірно цікаво слухати, складається враження, що який би раз він не грав за ці два дні, я ніколи не зможу осягнути його повноцінно - кожен раз він чимось та дивує. Причому, якщо особливо не вслуховуватись, то це все ще дуже чіпляюча та бадьора музика. Тому не важливо, досвідчений ви слухач, чи "казуальний" - в цьому альбомі кожен знайде щось для себе. Зараз про Prefab Sprout згадують дуже не часто, і дарма, адже вони якщо і не найкращий поп гурт свого часу, то точно найбагатогранніший та найцікавіший.

I've heard of Prefab Sprout before, but I don't think I've ever heard any of their songs before. It honestly surprises me that I've never heard any of their music before, because I love eighties music. Granted, I'm betting this didn't get a lot of radio play where I live, and my parents didn't listen to Prefab Sprout, so that's probably how I've managed to dodge this. I'm excited to listen to this since it's turning 40 years old this year, just like I did a couple of weeks ago. Let's have a midlife crisis, Steve McQueen! I didn't fall in love with this album, but it's definitely going to be one of the best four star albums I've ever listened to. The earlier part of the album was chock-full of beautiful pop music, that oftentimes bordered on dream pop. I loved the atmosphere that the band created on this album; even though it's a bright and sunny day here, this album created a sense of a chilly and foggy day that I absolutely loved. The guitar playing was really unique, and the keyboards gave this album a sound that I really loved. I thought the vocals were really great too, and the backing vocals were sprinkled in at the perfect moments. I'm pretty sure that I've actually heard "When Love Breaks Down" before; I think it might be on a sophisti-pop playlist that a friend of mine made for me. Either way, it's a great song, and I love its unusual structure. "Bonny" was fantastic too. The vocals were great, and the arrangements were beautiful and perfectly layered. "Appetite" had my favorite backing vocals on the album. I loved that how they matched the pitch of the keyboard riff. This album did lose me a bit during the last few tracks, but it didn't affect how much I enjoyed this album. And I as typed out that sentence, I realized that this is a five star album for me. It may not be perfect, but man, I really enjoyed listening to it. Steve McQueen is a really unique pop album, and I think I'm going to try to find a vinyl copy of it this weekend.

Elska þessa plötu.

the most immaculately 80s pop album ever

One of the greatest albums ever!

this bangs so hard, so much versatility and truly good songs

Good album

What an absolute treat.

This feels ahead of its time - a lot of the songs could easily be Arctic Monkeys and you wouldn't know. Really enjoyed it.

Prefab Sprout's Steve McQueen stands as a testament to remarkable production quality, even when considering the era of its release in 1985. The album showcases a meticulously crafted sound that highlights the band's sophistication and creativity, exemplifying why the 1980s is often regarded as a golden age for the music industry. With lush arrangements and thoughtful songwriting, Steve McQueen not only captures the essence of its time but also continues to resonate with listeners today, cementing its status as a timeless classic.

Interesting. I’ve known this album for 40 years. I’ve always considered it a pleasant fraud. The songs are beautifully produced and played but are not real songs. It’s as if they were made by AI. However it’s still a very enjoyable listen, so I give it a 5… oh and also for the cover and the great album ‘s name, almost as good as George Best.

Absolutely brilliant. Musically sound, good production and original sound.

## In-Depth Review of *Steve McQueen* by Prefab Sprout Prefab Sprout's *Steve McQueen*, released in 1985, is often hailed as a seminal work in the realm of sophisticated pop music. With its intricate lyrics, lush musical arrangements, and innovative production, the album stands out as a remarkable achievement in the band's discography. This review will delve into the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence while also highlighting its pros and cons. ****Lyrics**** The lyrical content of *Steve McQueen* is one of its most compelling aspects. Paddy McAloon, the band's frontman and primary songwriter, crafts narratives that blend personal introspection with broader cultural references. The lyrics often reflect themes of love, longing, and existential contemplation. - **"When Love Breaks Down"** serves as a poignant exploration of heartbreak and emotional vulnerability. The line "Hunger stays 'til it's fed" encapsulates the insatiable nature of desire and loss. - **"Faron Young,"** the album's opening track, juxtaposes upbeat melodies with lyrics that hint at deeper emotional struggles. The song's rockabilly influence is matched by McAloon's clever wordplay. - **"Desire As"** presents a more somber reflection on post-breakup feelings, showcasing McAloon's ability to convey complex emotions with simplicity. Overall, McAloon's lyrical style combines wit with melancholy, creating a rich tapestry that invites listeners to engage both intellectually and emotionally. ****Music**** Musically, *Steve McQueen* is characterized by its lush arrangements and sophisticated pop sensibilities. The collaboration with producer Thomas Dolby was instrumental in shaping the album's sound. Dolby's use of synthesizers and electronic elements complements the organic instrumentation provided by the band. - The album features a blend of jangly guitars, legato bass lines, and intricate percussion that create an atmospheric soundscape. Tracks like **"Hallelujah"** showcase a breezy soul influence, while others like **"Horsin' Around"** introduce playful elements reminiscent of 1960s pop. - The production quality is exceptional; Dolby's approach results in a polished yet warm sound that enhances the emotional weight of the songs. The interplay between acoustic and electronic elements creates a unique auditory experience that was ahead of its time. The overall musicality of *Steve McQueen* allows it to transcend typical pop conventions, marking it as a standout work in the genre. ****Production**** The production of *Steve McQueen* is a key factor in its enduring appeal. Thomas Dolby's involvement brought a fresh perspective to Prefab Sprout's sound. His expertise in synthesizer programming and arrangement contributed to the album's distinctive character. - The recording process took place at Marcus Studios in London, where Dolby utilized innovative techniques to capture the band's live energy while adding layers of synth textures. This resulted in an open and natural sound that feels both intimate and expansive. - The meticulous attention to detail in mixing and arrangement is evident throughout the album. Each track feels thoughtfully crafted, with every instrument occupying its own space within the mix. The production not only enhances individual tracks but also creates a cohesive listening experience that invites repeated plays. ****Themes**** Thematically, *Steve McQueen* explores various aspects of human experience—particularly love and its complexities. The album navigates through joy, sorrow, nostalgia, and existential reflection. - **Love and Relationships:** Many tracks delve into romantic relationships' highs and lows. The dichotomy between desire and fulfillment is a recurring motif that resonates deeply with listeners. - **Cultural References:** McAloon’s lyrics often include nods to popular culture and historical figures, adding layers of meaning to his songwriting. This intertextuality enriches the listening experience by inviting listeners to engage with the lyrics on multiple levels. - **Existential Reflection:** Songs like **"Desire As"** reflect on personal identity and emotional states post-breakup, prompting listeners to consider their own experiences in relation to the themes presented. These themes contribute to the album's depth and ensure its relevance across generations. ****Influence**** Upon its release, *Steve McQueen* garnered critical acclaim and has since influenced numerous artists across various genres. Its blend of sophisticated pop songwriting with innovative production techniques paved the way for future acts looking to combine intellect with accessibility. - The album has been cited as an influence by artists such as Coldplay and Elbow, who admire its emotional depth and melodic craftsmanship. - Its status as a cult classic has led to numerous reissues and remastered editions over the years, keeping its legacy alive for new audiences. Prefab Sprout’s ability to merge artful songwriting with catchy melodies has established *Steve McQueen* as a benchmark for aspiring musicians seeking to create meaningful pop music. ****Pros and Cons**** As with any artistic work, *Steve McQueen* has its strengths and weaknesses: **Pros:** - **Lyrical Depth:** The album features intelligent lyrics that explore complex emotions with nuance. - **Musical Innovation:** A unique blend of acoustic instruments and synthesizers creates an engaging soundscape. - **Production Quality:** Thomas Dolby’s production elevates the overall listening experience through meticulous attention to detail. - **Cohesion:** The album flows seamlessly from one track to another, creating a unified artistic statement. **Cons:** - **Pacing Issues:** Some tracks may feel slower or less engaging compared to others, potentially disrupting listener momentum. - **Niche Appeal:** While critically acclaimed, its sophisticated style may not resonate with all mainstream audiences. - **Limited Commercial Success:** Despite achieving cult status, it did not achieve massive commercial success upon release compared to contemporaries in pop music. In conclusion, *Steve McQueen* by Prefab Sprout remains a timeless classic that showcases exceptional songwriting, innovative production, and profound thematic exploration. Its blend of emotional resonance and musical sophistication continues to captivate audiences decades after its release. While it may have some pacing issues or niche appeal, these do not detract significantly from its overall impact as one of the defining albums of its era.

solid 80s but not super 80s

Brilliant!

Actually super awesome! Listened to the 2007 remaster and didn't really care for much of the accoustic 2nd disk, but the first half is really stellar. Lyrical ambition is always great to see, and some of the guitar playing in particular is really groovy. Loved it, interested to see their other stuff. BONNY BONNY BONNY

It has a kind of 70s sound that I feel was lost in the following decade amidst so many synthesizers and metallic instruments. I'm not saying the 80s sound is bad, just different. But there are some cases where an artist manages to bring back some 1970s aspect to the contemporary sound in an excellent mix. Good examples of this are the albums that Fleetwood Mac released in the 80s: Mirage (1982) and Tango in The Night (1987). And today I just discovered another excellent example. And once again I ask myself: where was I all this time that I never heard of these guys? Prefab Sprout managed to bring to Steve McQueen the musical essence from two different decades, without hiding the fact that it was released in 1985, all bathed in a top quality pop sound. Besides, it's been a while since I've heard of an album with a name as badass as that, seriously, even I wanted to be called Steve McQueen! That's it: I loved it!

Sophisti pop genius.

There are so many cool impressive little things going on in this album. Unfortunately it didn't grab me. But I'll admit, I was continually impressed while waiting and waiting to make my own great escape. I'll probably listen again and end up liking it more. There are individual moments I really like, especially on the track Faron Young. I felt like I was being led into one musical trope, buy they would weave it beautifully into another, and yet another, over and over. Pretty cool. Lots of what seemed like unexpected and complex chord progressions too. I love it when music gives me hints to go listen to other music. Be it the lyrics, liner notes, a sample, a riff, whatever. I like the invitation to explore something I didn't know about. I did not know of Faron Young and will certainly be checking out the song "It's Four in the Morning". I gave it another spin and I definitely enjoyed it more the second time around. What a great sounding record. I'd love to listen to the non-remastered version sometime. I usually don't like remastered copies. Also, the deluxe version or whatever it's called on goes straight into disc two on streaming services. That's not the end of the word, but the album ending on the fade out of "When The Angels" is a nice place to end it. That Faron Young song was pretty good too.

From every note to every emote this is one of the greatest albums ever created. The lyrical dexterity, the songs built on melody and complex chord structure and Thomas Dolby's peak as a producer. Paddy McAloon is one of the greatest songwriters these isles have produced. This is one of the great albums of all time. I got to it by chance - I won a competition for 4 tickets to the gig in Stoke that evening. Me and my mate went. I still have the other two tickets. Wendy was ill. It didn't matter, I was introduced to some sort of genius.

Fantastically produced and a delight to listen to. Side 1 is banger after banger!

That was delightful and being added to the permanent collection

Excellent

I really enjoyed this album. Like soft indie or something like that.

An album that is hard to pin down, both on the outside and the inside, is a tricky thing to pull off well, as a poor mix of styles can cause an album to feel distracted, while the vague image presented on the cover can lead the listener to think of many genres before something like sophisti-pop comes to mind. So, with that initial run down, you may expect just another longue-y new wave run with perhaps some rock roots due to its leather clad, motorbike riding cast of characters. What you get, however, is far more fascinating, with those jazz infused keyboards and sleek guitar riffs being assuredly sophisticated, but that Thomas Dolby production leads the record to be far more in depth, with great, moving musical passages, more change-ups in some tracks than some twenty minute prog masterpieces, and just a consistency between each track that can always make you dance and sway with the best of them, and sure those Dire, Dire Docks-ass sound font may be cheesy, but do you really care when you're being carried into 80s pop bliss in a way every other album from the era can only dream of achieving. It narrowly avoids cheesy and is instead incredibly endearing, and Paddy McAloon's vocals benefit it even more so. It's more lush, more passionate, and more thoughtful than its contemporaries, and with the very underrated Horsin' Around being like the perfect bittersweet odyssey to really carry the B-side to the finish line after an amazing A-side and let the listener ride the last three tracks off the highs it produced makes it easily one of my favorite songs from the era. It may feel like bona fide 80s gleam, but for one of the few times in musical history, that is certainly not a bad thing.

I’m a poptimist and a hopeless romantic. I like what I like, even if it’s a little awkward and silly, and this is definitely awkward and silly both lyrically and musically. It’s not flawless, and works better as individual songs on a playlist than an album proper, but it’s so fun and so right for my tastes that it earns a personal 4.5 stars. Great find for lovers of kitschy ‘80s pop.

Two Wheels Good here in the colonies. Loved it from first listen, when it was new, and it’s just as good now.

Incredible album. Definitely one of my biggest inspirations musically. Fave song is Appetite.

DOPE AF. Makes me nostalgic for an era I never lived in. 11/10

Mullets. Synth-Pop. Margaret Thatcher. New wave. Power suits with shoulder pads.

Immer wieder geile 80s Vibes

- Honestly this had great vibes - Can feel the emotion in the lyrics and singing - Sounds like it would be a soundtrack to a great movie - Horsin Around and Bonny were my favorites

I was immediately impressed by the catchy country-tinged post-punk opener (especially that distorted instrumented ending), but then it took a completely different turn from there into sophi-pop, and I love it all. This is peak 80s, jazzy, smooth, with beautiful lush synths while retaining minimalist punk beats. Gives off Steely Dan vibes in the vocals and how fast the melody twists and turns. It's consistent too, with tracks following patterns from one to the next, like the bossa nova percussion between "Horsin Around" and Desire As." The first side is perfect, the second side a bit weaker, but it's all good. Everything stands out and has their gorgeous moments to appreciate. Only two tracks I didn't like were "Blueberry Pies" and "When the Angels" but I don't mind stopping at "Desire As" anyway.

Personal favourite album!

I am mesmerized by the quality here. The best sounds out of the 80's ever, harmonies, melodies, chords, guitar and keyboard sounds. I am in love

WOW! What a pleasant surprise. Totally new to me. Smooth jazzy pop with constant charming production surprises ‘round every corner. Obviously a lot of heart and skill was poured into this album. Still sounds insanely crisp and modern despite the eighties-tinged synths. This is what modern producers try to emulate. Reminds me of one of my favourite albums: Kaputt by Destroyer.

Það sem ég er búin að bíða eftir þessari plötu á listanum! Albesta gáfumannapopp sem gefið hefur verið út. Algjör demantur.

Classic then classic now

Fantastic songwriting from the very beginning. First 5 songs is the best ever pressed on a Side A. Second half is watering down this godly juice but cannot drag the level lower than giving this whole masterpiece a 4.5

Eighties pop with sophisticated melodies and chord progressions. I thought I preferred the debut Swoon, but now I'm not so sure anymore. Loved it.

Not typically my thing, but this album blew me away. Amazing songs and all the best parts of 80s production without the cheese.

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Faron young, Bonny, Appetite, When love breaks down, Goodbye Lucille, Hallelujah, Moving the river, Horsin’ around

very cool