Steve McQueen

New Wave inspired by Elvis Costello, Sting, a little Pink Floyd… that’s a lot of reasons to feel some type of way about this one. Nevertheless, I do not. Tomorrow, I will not be able to tell you the name of this band.

It seems like I should like this more than I do, given my proclivities, but to me it comes across as a cheap ABC

Ultra slick sophisti-pop some good songs, but not enough

Arranca muy bien, me gustaron muchas canciones de la primera parte del álbum. Pero llegando para el final ya comienza a decaer, digamos que le cuesta mantener tu atención como oyente. De todas formas lo disfruté bastante y lo volvería a escuchar.

★★½

Welcome back to the 80’s. I forgot all about this band. Thanks for the flashback

Just really boring

Nice listen.

Kind of weird. The guy's voice reminds me a bit of Harry Connick Jr which is nice. Overall kind of fun and 80s feeling.

Nothing about this album really caught my attention. There were some mildly interesting lyrical choices in a few of the songs but nothing that makes merits inclusion on a list like this…

This was a real slogan of sappy, low energy songs to get through. Not for me!

really good album

Agressively '80s and excessively long.

Good

Decent but unremarkable new wave

Good.

Eh. This album isn't bad but it's not very memorable either. It probably doesn't help that I don't really know who Steve McQueen is.

A victim of the 80s sound rather than a pioneer. Really not my style. I went in hoping to like it but it lost me more and more so I'm feelin' mean.

I'd say this is a fun and charming record, albeit a little dated. Good hooks, pleasing vocals, emotional heartfelt lyrics even if a little corny at times. Definitely saved this one to my library. Fav tracks: Bonny, When Love Breaks Down

Pretty good listen.

Kul att det dök upp här. Har velat lyssna på den här plattan sen jag hörde Bonny första gången för ett tag sen. Enkelt sagt är väl Steve McQueen riktigt bra sophistipop förutom när det inte är det (typ under Faron Young och Desire As).

Good at first… but then kinda boring. I really wanted to like this.

I always liked Prefab Sprout as a kid, "The King of Rock 'N' Roll" and "Cars and Girls" were the best and the album "From Langley Park To Memphis" is my preferred. This one I don't know so well, there are some top tracks here, but it doesn't have the same enjoyment for me. Still good though.

Wow. An album and a band I heard of in the '80s, but never really heard. But absolutely incredible songwriting, Paddy McAloon's reputation is well deserved. The bonus acoustic versions on the 2007 remastered version are a 5 star album on their own. Classic stuff, and other than the occasional synth frill from producer Thomas Dolby, this could be from any era, it's that timeless.

love the softness of this album. bonny is such a autumn coded song. appetite has some amazing vocal production work. when love breaks down has some good synth work blended well with the guitar and piano. really loved these tracks. 8/10 this was a great album. only a few skips but overall a banger. really enjoyed this!

Fin lyssning. Kallades "pop" av Apple Music och det var väl pop när det kom. Liiite weird ändå, jag gillade det.

Very catchy and very enjoyable throughout. Bit of a surprise, this one.

Cornball but sounds good

First time I remember listening to Prefab Sprout, despite hearing the name a lot in the 80s. I really liked this album. I also don't understand why it's on this list. They have a nice clean soft rock sound, with a lot touches from 80s synths that don't overwhelm the acoustic foundations -- nice. The lyrics aren't run-of-the-mill, so there's lots to catch your ear. That said, this isn't a distinctive album. I could write the same description about other Scottish / North English bands of the time, like Deacon Blue or Aztec Camera. Maybe this one came a couple of years earlier, but was it really breaking new ground?

Nothing memorable.

It's not a sound I find very attractive, and upon repeat listening, the songs aren't doing much for me either. It's nicely produced and performed though.

Something very familiar here with kinda Ben folds and Elvis Costello combo? Fun, snappy but easy listening vibe, hmmm I kinda liked it. Lil cheesy at times but kinda fits the vibe

Fucking hell, that caught me by surprise. Mistook the album name for the artist and the cover definitely looked a tad misleading as well. But how glad am I to be wrong! One of those albums on the list I had no idea about beforehand that turned out to be a five-star one right on the first listen. Giving it a second listen, just to make sure but yeah, this was absolutely brilliant.

Mildly interesting, this one reminds me a lot of the Elvis Costello albums I've gotten throughout this list.

not bad, some nice songs

First song was alright after that it was all forgettable

First side of this album is pure perfection. Loses its way a little on side 2. Exquisite production by Thomas Dolby

The easiest 5 so far. Some of my favourite pop songs. Sure, the production is very of the time but try to resist those melodies; you can’t! Prefab Sprout get overlooked in the pop music pantheon sometimes. This is the place to start. Best: Bonny, Appetite. If there’s one song you listen to from this album, make it one of these two.

A lovely album. As Mr Preest has correctly pointed out, When Love Breaks Down is a stone cold classic

Bits of this I enjoyed but the longer it went on the less keen I was on it.

Nice enough but probably wouldn't revisit - probably a 2.5

“When Love Breaks Down” worth three stars on it’s own…⭐️⭐️⭐️

2.4 2x not bad just not my thing

Surprising how much I enjoyed this!

This wasn't as shitty as I thought it was going to be. But it starts off at the top and goes downhill from there. The first song "Faron Young" gave me hope...the rest just kind of meanders and isn't attention getting as that song. Giving this a three. It's solid 80s pop...glad I listened to it, didn't hate it, but also wouldn't return to it.

Perfectly acceptable

I had only ever heard one song by this band before listening to this; it wasn't on it, which is a shame because it might have made it a little better.

It's fine pop music. Nothing really stands out but it wasn't painful to listen to.

Another man. Sigh. I did enjoy a bunch of the acoustic songs in the middle of the second album.

Another boring 80’s pop record. I would like to have a word with the people who made this list.

Una piacevole scoperta. Vorrei quasi dargli 4*, ma stamattina non ho voglia di esagerare

2.5 stars. It's fine. Inoffensive. Some good songwriting that suffers from over production in a distinctly 80's way. To my ear, it homogenizes the whole thing, resulting in no standout tracks.

Didn't love love this but certainly appreciated the craft

***an ok album, easy listening

No private session used for Spotify. New of this band and familiar with that opening track; never listened an album. Very 80's and poppy, not my thing.

It’s good. Loved the album cover. Lead vocals are good too. A very diverse album too. It’s got a good foundation but it also stops at having a good foundation. It needs at least one big hit to make it a strong 4 or 5. When love breaks down has the potential. Not the catchiest melody despite an amazing arrangement.

i really enjoyed this. jazz-pop combo genre, thats right up my alley generally. i found myself grooving to this, it was perfect for working to. it flowed so well together, and i really just found myself digging it.

Eh, its not terrible or offensive to listen to, but its not that great. Feels like a less dramatic and depressed Smiths. I wouldn't say there were entire songs that I enjoyed, more just specific sections. Wouldn't mind this as background music, but I wouldn't seek this one out again.

Another perfectly fine and forgettable brit-pop album.

That was pretty boring. Not distracting as background music, but otherwise insignificant and uninteresting. 3/5

більше затишний ніж попередній альбом з кінця 70тих («the cars»), який я слухала учора. вчорашній був більш енергійний, а сьогоднішній, тобто ось цей - спокійніший. ...мабуть. здається, 80ті мені все-таки ближчі, затишніші ніж 70ті. я справді обожнюю 80ті. дуже шкода, що я не зростала саме в них. чи хоча б народилася в ті часи... :(

So bad

I like this! Had a good time listening to this. Stand-outs - Faron Young - Bonny - When Love Breaks Down

Ok. Nothing special to see here—move along. ★★★

Not loving this. I don't mind my 80s pop but whilst I enjoyed a lot of the lyrics I didn't walk away with the same long lasting ear worm as a wham, hall & Oates or Duran Duran album would have given me.

This ranged from ok and inoffensive to mind numbingly boring 2

I quite enjoyed this in various places. It wasn't the shitshow I was somewhat expecting. Musically all the songs were melodic and well constructed. Instrumentation was pretty good, even the vocals weren't decent. It's just not really in the wheelhouse of music I lean towards.

Cool music

that was awesome. cool basslines and funny additions everywhere

Oh my God this was SO CHEESY. There wasn't a single thing here that I would ever voluntarily listen to ever again. The lyrics are hilariously bad and the melodies make me want to punch them through my phone screen.

Goodbye Lucille #1 is amazing

Boring

front-to-back perfect pop music! endlessly catchy, brilliantly sung, wry and tuneful and very wise. i've loved this record for a year or two now and can't go a week without getting a song from it stuck in my head. "it's too 80s" "bad production" genuine skill issue you need to get more earnest now!!!!!

This is really cheesy facsimile of 80s pop. And that band name is simply awful.

Good, I can see why at the time it would have been a classic, cult or otherwise. Like other Prefab Sprout I've listened to I found I liked it but didn't need to repeat.

Who are these clowns

I’m pretty sure I’ve been recommended this album before on streaming. I might’ve listened to one song and then moved on. But I’m glad I got it on this list because it is really good once you give it the time. It’s a softer 80s new wave sound and a nice little night time listen

Blind album and artist. Typical soft 80s that I generally don't listen to but this was was very middle of the road with the vocal tonality and instrumentation.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this album. Never heard of Prefab Sprout and a lot of the never-heard-of-you English bands on this list haven't been great. That said, the Rattlesnakes album by Lloyd Cole & The Commotions from the 80s was great, so I had some hope coming into this one. This record didn't hit me like that one, though there were a few definite highlights on it. The opening track is decent, not amazing. Bonny started much the same, but then a little over a minute in, it kicked in a different direction that I really loved. This, to me, was the best song on the album. That was followed by Appetite which was also excellent, though not quite as good as Bonnie to me. The rest of this wasn't as good, so it was a bit of a let down after the first three tracks set up for a very good listen. All in all, though, it was worth the trip and I got a few new tracks for my own library.

Is this some sort of sick joke?!

Some pretty nice jams, but it’s not really anything crazy. Just sounds like a standard 80s pop album. It’s gets really boring in some parts. Horsin Around sounds super pretentious (well, for a genre called Sophiti-pop, I’m not surprised). Don’t think I’ll be dying to hear this one again.

This is an album in a bit of tension for me. Something about the super polished compressed 80s production always turns me off a bit, but there are some damned solid grooves in here coupled with solid writing. Maybe not something I would actively seek, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't vibing through the mid-section of this album. Hallelujah and Moving the River are two of my favorites so far. Appetite is also a jam -- love the vocal layering and glimmeriness of it. Also enjoy Desire As. Falls around a high 3 for me

Bonny was a standout. Everything else was another straight shooting 3 for me.

Started off pretty decent but then started sounding like the soundtrack to a Disney Channel original teen drama highschoolers once that song about his dad thinking he was a giant puss happened

I just don't think sophisti-pop is my thing. Felt pretty bland to me.

Gut hörbarer 80er Pop. Angenehme Melodien, schön arrangiert. Gute Stimmen. 3-4/5

Absolutely loved the production and sound of this one, really excited to listen more times because I'm sure I'll only grow to like it even more

Faron Young Bonny Appetite When Love Breaks Down Goodbye Lucille #1

Oh good! More britpop. The beginning was better than the second half. I liked the energy. Also Goodbye Lucille it's gazoline

It was 80’s pop music, not the best, but not the worst.

Start to blur together

If this had kept the energy and songwriting of the first three songs this would’ve been solid. It did not. Ngl slept through a couple songs cuz the album drags quite a bit. Also British.

80's brit-pop. that's it

dit hoort thuis in deze lijst als een pinguin in een verzekeringskantoor

It’s ok listening to this again, but nothing remarkable other than “When love breaks down”

Just feel like this album doesn't have enough energy, like at points I just want a great chorus thrown in but it never really gets going

80’s Alternative Pop ⭐️Appetite

Not sure what is so noteworthy about this that it warranted being included to this list.

caught me by surprise

Pretty cool. Very 80s British, but one of those bands I would have never checked due to the name. Nice.

Wow what a surprise! Had never heard of Prefab Sprout before listening to this, but man have I been missing out. What a fantastic album!

This was alright

Dice wikipedia que el género de este disco es sophisti-pop. La palabra que estuve buscando desde ayer. Describe muy bien a la música de Prefab Sprout. Rock y baladas alegres, pegajosas, pero con algo en lo profundo que se siente no tan feliz. Buen álbum.

aight

I really loved the intro track, with its vague 1950s nostalgia filtered through many viscous layers of reverb, synth, and post-modern composition. The album largely failed to excite me after that, and I found some tracks to be grating (see "Moving the River"). But after a second listen, I was inspired enough to increase my rating to 3 stars. I'm curious what future listens might offer.

Not absolute crap, but not great either…appreciated some of the harmonies but that’s it.

Underrated.

Pretty forgettable

Quite fun. Nice balance indy with keyboard of the early 80s

Most of my liking of this album is mostly from the tone, and the fantastic album cover. The tone has a nice breeze to it. The songs at most are fine, nothing too special. The album cover gives such a great vibe. If this didn't have a nice tone this would've been an easy 3 but because it DOES have a nice tone, it's a 4. Highlight Song/s: "Bonny"

Ny favorit! Upplyftande, får energi.

This album starts off well, up until around the 6th song when it really loses its way. The rest is forgettable, but it gets a 2.5/5 given the strong first half, especially Bonny and When Love Breaks Down.

At the end of the day it’s really just another 80s pop band. Did they do some interesting things that you don’t hear in every 80s rock album, yeah, is it enough for me to say that this isn’t just following the template of the decade, no. I enjoyed it, didn’t love it enough to call it anything other than average.

I liked this album. This was the type of the music I was looking for when I joined the 1001 Album generator program: groups I have never heard of, and music that wasn't necessarily popular. The songs were different, but many had a mellow, relaxing sound.

This had the vibe of an only-okay Crowded House album. Very forgettable, but okay.

Had totally forgotten.about them. Very maticulasly crafted, catchy tunes. They sound silly sometimes, but the lyrics are genius.

Фоном прослушалось легко, местами приятно. 3.

Steve McQueen was a very interesting album. It has a very nice sound, the occasional airy synths and choruses that would show up here and there really stood out to me. After wearing out New Wave music a few years ago, I've been pretty unreceptive to it since, but lately I think I might be opening back up to it again. Especially with this one being more pop-leaning and not nearly as dreary and depressing as some other albums, I found it very enjoyable. "Bonny" was my favorite song, it was really great, along with "When Love Breaks Down". I think this album might've single-handedly rekindled my interest in new wave music. Favorite Song: "Bonny"

Perfectly cromulent 80s pop. Very pleasant to listen to, though nothing really jumps out to me as overly memorable. "Horsin' Around" is a step down for me, it irks me a little for some reason.

honestly great background music, so good

3 stars

8/10 – Very Good

Great album, I have nothing bad to say about it, everything was peak

Very few people realise that Prefab Sprout and Houmous & Chutney were the best of friends until that fateful night. 3.8 2/11 Bonny

Gets more boring as it goes

Favorite Track: Appetite

Lounge pop and mind junk lyrics that are the kind of internal monologue the majority of us manage not to burden everyone else with...

I’ve always liked Steve McQueen, and a proper listen just confirms why. It’s an immaculate record, there isn’t a weak track anywhere. Every song feels distinct, yet it all hangs together beautifully. The songwriting is the real star: sharp, thoughtful lyrics that tell proper stories, wrapped in sophisticated 80s synth-pop that constantly shifts and evolves. It’s polished without being bland, clever without being smug, and endlessly replayable. Favourite track: Faron Young a gorgeous song. Least favourite track: None. Every song earns its place. Album artwork: Cool, understated, and a perfect fit for the music.

This was alright, reminded me of the cure but preppy

Cool

Overstaying its welcome: The album. It starts fine enough, but could easily do without three or four songs less.

Det her er så utrolig tidsløst. Wow. Det eneste der afslører at det er fra 80’erne er stemmefilteret

Very very good

Parts of this work but 80% of it is kinda insufferable. I had relatively high hopes during the first track but that faded very quickly. I think my opinion of the album got progressively worse with every track. A lot of the lyrics, especially in Moving the River and Desire As, are too clever in the way where you can tell the writer is really proud of the turns of phrase. It's perfectly fine music but the too-earnest vocals, too-clever lyrics, and cheesy music all add up to even less than the sum of their parts. I've probably given worse albums higher ratings but this one just really annoys me.

it is a shame for Prefab Sprout that we can't award partial credit because if they just turned in the first four tracks this would rate higher. Unfortunately it continues

Of its time - classic 80s, but a bit more to it than the naff pop of the era

It was okay verging on very forgettable. very 80s synthy and I don’t recall any of the songs clearly the next day, so clearly I didn’t like it that much

I recognized the band name but couldn’t remember any of their songs. The first 1/3 of the album was good and to really good but then it sort of faded to unremarkable songs after that that I don’t ever need to hear again. The standouts are the first track “Faron” and "When Love Breaks Down“

A handful of good songs, not really a good album.

This was WAY ahead of its time.

Hidden gem

Towards the end of the first song I felt the vibe of a Smiths song and I see that sentiment is connected through a lot of these reviews. I will admit I almost immediately placed it in a box after that and thought "This will be good but it won't quite be The Smiths" and then it took a real surprise turn with "Bonny" and I reopened my mind up a little. I will say, this album is very 80s. I am aware a number of people have already said this and the opinion of those who have are very split. The sound is admittedly very dated in some points, bits are better and bits are worse in that regard but I would never say "this is TOO 80s". Then again I like Icehouse. Anywho, I think this album is ultimately a fun listen but might be another one of those you needed to be there for as retrospectively the reviews of the time saying this was "the finest album of the year" seem... ambitious? While I appreciate the fact it's an album that discusses love in a number of facets, in strokes of sorrow and disappointment even, that isn't anything new either. If you love this album I can absolutely get that and I think if I heard this when I was younger and had a more nostalgia feel of younger yearning days I could connect more. Definitely not the best album of 1985 though... I mean Hounds of Love came out that year. Best songs: Bonny, When Love Breaks Down Worst Songs: N/A Rank compared to everything else so far: 51/64 (above Coat of Many Colors, below Back to Mystery City)

This was fine. Nothing super exciting or repulsive. 3/5

Gay, soft, and mellow. This is really gay: 4 guys crowding a hog. Didn't feel a need to finish the last 4 songs.

52. not bad

If I could describe this album in a word it would be "safe". Not much to say, the music is pleasing enough but without really kicking up a gear much at all. I wanted more from a lot of the songs here but it seemed a little phoned in, with nothing too interesting happening. A couple of decent tracks in "Goodbye Lucille #1" and "Hallelujah" but not much else unfortunately.

6/10… sophisty pop / new wave / *1985

So it’s new wave? No it’s adult contemporary soft rock/pop? It’s neither? Who wrote these lyrics? This should have been buried with Maggie Thatcher and Regan.

This just didn't land well with me. I can't explain it well, but the singer's voice and how he delivered his lyrics hit me the wrong way. I got more and more annoyed as I listened to this album.

Really really decent, on the cusp of a 4, but likely a high 3 Breezy, vibey, easy

I actually quite like this album. It was a discovery for me. Although I do think it's a bit unnecessarily long. Otherwise, it's a good full album listen if you take out the repetitive part. All songs are pretty good

I vaguely heard this band’s name but couldn’t place it anywhere. Listening to this album it’s oh so cool. This is all of the great stuff in eighties indie rock and sophistipop rolled into one, it’s like the smiths but the vocalist isn’t as annoying as Morrissey, it’s Cocteau Twins with legible songs, it’s more compact tears for fears. Great stuff. Four stars I think. These guys love reverb.

This is what I’m here for. Genuinely some of the most beautiful songwriting I’ve ever heard. I need to listen to everything this band has ever released.

Temp

Finr

Meh. It was ok.

Okay.

So great. One of my all time favorite bands!

quite good and quite fun!

I feel this has no hits nothing massive standing out but was very well made and enjoyable the whole way through it. This makes it hard to review for me and is really a 3.5 star album.

Het meandert hier en daar een beetje, maar er staan goede nummers op dit album. Doet mij een beetje denken aan congratulations van MGMT maar dan minder psychedelisch en meer jaren 80 weerkanaal. Ga hier zeker nog eens naar luisteren. Bonny was mijn favoriete nummer 7/10

Never heard of the them. Not bad, not great.

Really cool, chill vibes and gets funky sometimes

This is the shit to me i love this album i love the 80s why couldnt i be born 30 years earlier

190626 10:55 4

3 maybe 4 stars. Had seen the name before but never listened to anything by the band. What a wonderful treat. First half is very strong and the second half has some decent tracks. This is why this list is so fun at times. Discovering gems like this is exactly what I was hoping for. First listen, Faron Young, Bonny, Appetite, and Desire As stood out. Will listen again later this week.

Album 1025 of 1089 Steve McQueen - Prefab Sprout (1985) Rating : 3.5 / 5 This turned out to be a fine, enjoyable listen. Nothing here made me stop in my tracks or wonder what I’d been missing all these years, but that’s not really a knock against it. The album feels well put together from start to finish. The songwriting is solid, the performances are confident, and everything sounds like it’s exactly where it should be. There’s a sense that the band knows who they are and what they want to do, and they do it without overreaching or trying to force big moments. Overall, it’s an entertaining album that goes down easy. It didn’t demand my full attention, but it held it well enough, and that counts for something. Not one I’ll rush back to, but certainly one I don’t regret spending time with.

The first song set the expectations so high that everything else paled in comparison. Faron Young is the best song in here and it works to the album's detriment. A weird blend of 80s indie rock and country, it's really fascinating. Especially when you find out that the lead singer it is named after committed suicide.

1. young - 1 2. bonny - 1.5 3. apettite - 1 4. douun -1 5. lucille - 1 6. hallelujah - 1.5 7. River - 1 8. Around - 0 9. Desire - 0 10. Pies - 1 11. Angels -0

It is not bad by any means. Unfortunately not one of the albums that I had to listen either.

Lowkey anemic.

Better than I anticipated. Creative. Bad drum sounds.

In offensively bland.

much love to the prefab sprout fans in my life but they just don't do anything for me

Achei bem genérico.

This album is as close to perfect as any I have heard. Food for the brain from Paddy McAloon, and the ears from the band and producer Thomas Dolby. Glimpses of heaven appear when Wendy Smith's vocals blend with lush pads. These songs were written by a child, performed by children, but sound like they were created at the end of long, well-lived lives. There are moments where the synth pads date the recording, but that's the closest that I can come to a criticism. Someday I will write a song nearly as good as the worst song on this album... maybe.

Has some good moments,especially lyrically, and has some charm and jazzy flourishes, but way too 80s smooth for me to wanna to listen to much beyond this.

Coś czuję, że większości się ta płyt anie spodoba, ale ja nie jestem aż tak wybredna. Lubię lata 80, te bity, perkusję i radość. Taki przyjemny pop do potańczenia/potupania nóżką pod stołem.

Well this was... okay? 'bonny' was really nice, and 'when love breaks down' but overall nothing too inspiring here. Nice 1980s pop and an overall 3? I guess?

Fine for what it is. Nothing special but didn't annoy. No idea why this made the 1001 because it was just average. 3 stars.

I like some Prefab Sprout. The are better than a lot of other 80s pop. Pleasant. No low points, but nothing particular high either. 3.5 rounded down Heard before? Some Owned: No: 43/173(24%) Will I get. No

I liked this when it came out, or at least liked the singles I heard from it, as I'm not sure if I ever listened to the whole thing. But I liked it even more now; it's really got some excellent songwriting in it.

Seems dated to me, in a bad way.

Very 80s. Enjoyable enough but not world changing.

oh OH vibing with this heavily! love how 80s it just is. a child of its time. bop after bop! as it is the first half of the tracks is way stronger

Very-very interesting pop-rock album. It is perfect. Very close to masterpiece, but not.

Decent sophistipop album

BritPop! I was so excited for what sounded like Arctic Monkeys in the first song, but I got more U2 by the second. By the third song I realized they were a nice blend of a lot of bands I heard come after them. I really liked Horsin' Around!

Fine

This sounds like jazz but the bad parts

Hope you have a good Appetite for this one.

A bit too disco for me. Some class tunes but not blown away by the album really

I would own this record for the first song. The rest is completely forgettable

An love note from a British indie-pop band that obviously has a love of Americana. It occasionally starts to veer into 'none more eighties' production but melodies are catchy generally, but there is a danger of blandness coming through. Best Tracks: Bonny; Appetite; When Love Breaks Down;

3.5

Steve McQueen con un disco? Particular cuánto menos

Blueberry pies sounds like a symbol of superficial consolation, when you know you can’t offer the truth, only comforting but empty gestures. In Goodbye Lucille #1, ‘she is a person too’ is simple but powerful—a call back to reality: the other person is not merely an object of our desire, but a real being with her own subjectivity and will.

• A lot of these songs sound like something I’d hear a local band play. It’s interesting how modern this album still sounds. • I liked how the stabs in Horsin’ Around change at the end of the verses from a samba-esque beat to being very delayed. The shift that comes when the bass starts walking is really cool too. This song went in so many different directions, I really liked how it came together at the end. • The synth in Desire As reminds me a lot of We’re Finally Landing by Home (used in Summoning Salt videos) • When The Angels is a fun upbeat song to end the album on after a couple of slower tracks • The two bonus tracks are nice to have, they both fit with the album well and don’t stick out as being any worse than the rest of the songs Favourite song: Horsin’ Around

If I had heard of this group before its very fitting that I don't remember. Outside of a few "stand out" tracks this was incredibly boring. Even the stand out tracks were kind of plain but they were at least somewhat enjoyable.

When Love Breaks Down

Need to listen again.

I find myself weirdly charmed by the lyrics on this album. Sonically, there aren't really any stand out tracks, but the album as a whole is solid. Three stars. (Favorite track: Bonny.)

Album #1,006 A more classy and sophisticated sounding Britpop band. The music was decent, but not mind blowing.

This one is completely new to me. These guys never broke in the US at all, but it's a shame. Imagine if the Gershwins were transported to mid 80s England, given a studio and a handful of current pop records and told to make their own. A lot of very good catchy pop songs, pretty strong lyrically, and a real feeling of being both of its time and completely out of time. This is the kind of album that keep me slogging through this project. Recommended if you are a fan of 1980s (or 1920s!) pop music

This is good, “From Langley Park to Memphis” is great 😀

How do I say this kindly? It's inoffensive. I don't love it, but I don't hate it. They have a nice sound but it's a little white bread to me.

This was better than I expected I was assuming it to sound alot more dated but it felt fairly modern akin to like the 1975 but slower over all though a bit too slow for me would make a for a good background album

4/5. I think this album has been graded harshly. I really enjoyed the beginning tracks but it did fell off by the second half, otherwise I would have given it a 5. Appetite was my favorite track.

Not my tjing

3.5

The kind of deep cut album I live for. very 80's but a little quirky kind of jangly pop but a little more experimental and not really hokey.

track 1. (Faron Young) 6.3 track 2. (Bonny) wow this song is so catchy, very 80s. love 9/10 track 3. (Appetite) very 80s with the synth. 8.4/10 track 4. (When love breaks down) 8.5/10 track 5. (Goodbye Lucille #1) 7.2/10 track 6. (Hallelujah) 8/10 track 7. (Moving the river) 9.3/10 track 8. (Horsin' around) vibey 7/10 track 9. (Desire as) fuck this is good and interesting 9.8/10 track 10. (Blueberry pies) 8.5/10 track 11. (When the angels) 8.4/10 overall : 8.2/10

I had hope for this one, the beginning of Goodbye Lucille is absolutely beautiful but after that it became basic Brit Rock again.

First song was some cowboy stuff. I got excited, and then listened to 40 minutes of boring new wave. Great.

Some songs were banger, the rest were sadly white paint

Ugh 2/5

Had no idea what to expect from this ones. Pretty much liked it, definitely worth listening to a couple of times for some of the songs to hit. Version I listened to also had the acoustic versions at the end. I'm not including them in my rating but they were quite good.

No. Hows this in the 1001 albums? First song was alright, then zzzzz

Greit nok, litt døvt kanskje

This is really interesting music! Complex chord progressions, unique lyric structuring, but all with a listener friendly pop sound. It's easy to see why this band didn't really get over in the US, but I really enjoyed this album.

woah

great album

Nothing great. Mediocre.

I have no feelings about this whatsoever. It wasn't bad. I will never think of it ever again

I believe "Steve McQueen" is the best '80s new-wavish record. It seemed I was close to losing faith in '80s music. The first track was lacklustre compared to the other ones. "Steve McQueen" only got better towards the end. Thank you, Prehab Sprout, for subverting my expectations. 4 stars for "Steve McQueen".

Cheesy music for total cornball.

Overall Rating: 7/10 Favorite Song: Blueberry Pies

I think halfway through I thought, “This sorta sounds like The Cure, but lacking a more interesting genre/point of view.” It’s fine listening but a lot of these indie-ish britpop bands blend together.

I felt mixed things listening to this album. The voice is good - it gets unhinged. He’s no lightening. Ka chow

i’m… not into this at all

First couple songs had me in the palm of their hand, but then it starts to get weird. The “hit” kinda sounds like an 80s afterschool special. And the rest has these weird time signatures and changes that don’t make real sense in a pop world.

This was an interesting album. Pop, yes, but still strange and enticing. Several songs had me dancing, but as a whole it didn’t super click with me. There may come a day that I’ll put this back on, but I couldn’t say when.

Een soort softrock album van de jaren 80? Het is best nice, de zanger klinkt goed, soms lekker overdreven 80s maar alles bij elkaar vind ik dit niet heel vervelend. Wel heel erg het idee dat dit prima in de Zara gedraaid zou kunnen worden ofzo, het is vrij tandenloos. Niet helemaal eerlijk natuurlijk gezien de tijdsgeest, maar ik ben benieuwd of dit nu het spannendste was dat destijds uitkwam. Prima album, maar dit was nou niet echt een hoogtepunt van de Britse popmuziek als je het mij vraagt. Wel geinig dat er een pop album op staat, ik heb me zeker niet geirriteerd maar dit is niet meer dan 3 sterren waard. Als je dit aanzet zal er nooit iemand klagen, maar er is ook niemand die je vraagt welke artiest dit is. FAVO: Bonny, Goodbye Lucille #1

Det va veldig omtrent akkurat sånn æ kanskje hadde tenkt at det kom til å høres ut om æ noensinne skulle prøve å tenke på kordan Prefab Sprout høres ut. Helt ok, ikke så interessant.

Perfectly fine!

Very unique sounds

Really didn't know what to expect from a band called Prefab Sprout and an album called Steve McQueen. I guess an 80s indie pop record is about right. To be honest, I didn't love it. It started off fine, and I liked the first couple songs well enough. But it just never really went anywhere or did anything very interesting. There were a couple songs that changed up the vibe; one was jazzier and the other had a similarity to Bowie's Modern Love. The rest unfortunately was just bland and a bit overly pop for me, especially with the 80s stylings. I did find it interesting how the music and writing were matched up. It seemed very much like it could've been singer-songwriter-y, but then had all that production thrown on. I wasn't sure if I liked it or not at first. It was another thing that grew old as it went on, though. Some of the lyrics were pretty bad, too. (Turkey hungry but chicken free? I can't breakdance on your knee? Uh... what? That one lost me.) On the whole, there's not much there that's particularly bad or good. I wouldn't consider it something I need to hear before I die. It's just an OK record. Overall: 2.2/5

Listenable music. I didnt hate anything but didnt love anything either. Soft alt rock?

Good English 80s popular rock.

Not my favorite type of music but they are talented. Very 80’s vibe.

I like this 😎🆒

Classic album and honestly probably the first one I’ve had in a few weeks that I would agree is a must listen. This I album is a great intro into Krautrock, which is such a vital genre for almost anything that came after it besides maybe country and top 40 (I am including hip-hop and disco as being influenced by Krautrock). I so felt hope that this stands as a jumping off point for a few people into other artists from this genre such as NEU!, Ashra Tempel, Faust, Cluster/Kluster, etc.

Got really excited with the chug a chug locomotive rock n roll opening number, but it turns out to be the only one. Really nice album, but nice isn't a great word for an album. Feels like the kind you fall in love with over a special summer or after a breakup maybe, the Brit critics seem to adore it, but for me not falling into any of those categories it just doesn't seem to hit hard or go far enough.

This was a pretty chill album with some nice vocals. I found it to be a nice background album 7/10

Some interesting moments on here, but overall was a delight to listen to. Some of the acoustic versions were nice too, but I think the electronic elements and other instruments added a lot that you sometimes lost in the acoustic side. 6.5/10

Their best

A lot of this album came out of nowhere to impress me. I was not expecting much, so when i got some really great vocals and production, along with deceptively catchy hooks and vibes - it was a good surprise. I think there were times when it dragged on a bit for me, but i still really liked it and will revisit.

Decent, varied, but not really one for me. 2.5

it’s the next morning and i can’t even remember what this music sounded like. i didn’t not like it—it was just unremarkable

Though seemingly innocuous at first, lyrics like ‘I’m turkey hungry, I’m chicken free,’ and ‘Horsin’ around is serious business,’ place this firmly south of middling to me. I can’t argue with 80’s chime synth, but the reverbed harmonica just kills everything good that came before.

I am surprised at how much I enjoyed this. I was anticipating another throwaway mid-80s pop-shlock album, but this is lovingly produced and the songwriting is solid. I particularly appreciated how the female backing vocals sounded. Catchy melodies and interesting changes in direction throughout. Subtly soulful. I didn’t know it was possible for sophistipop to be this enjoyable. I’ll revisit.

Enjoyed this listen. I like their voices. Great backing vocals. Also really like the interesting lyrics, arrangements and composition of the songs and the production. Enjoyed the song Bonny and the guitar tone used. Never even heard of this group of musicians.

Really liked this one!

Thomas Dolby is a fucking hell of a producer, and this album SOUNDS great. But god des it devolve into bad new wave “jazz” as it goes along. The first half has some really great pop tunes but after a while it just loses all steam. A little sad all things considered.

I quite enjoyed this. I like his voice and his vibe.

fuckin awesome

Man I really enjoyed this more than I thought I would. English 80's pop but so good! Clear guitar and percussion, fun synth usage but not overbearing, pretty good songwriting. This is what 80's pop should be. Its bright and sad at the same time. I feel like I should be wearing a leather jacket, driving a convertible, flying down a beachside highway at sunset in Miami trying to figure out my life. Damn this was good.

Despite this album being on here because it was the album the author lost his virginity to… it was actually pretty enjoyable. Reminded me of Haircut 100 in that I’d never heard of it before and it was enjoyable British 80s pop music. I guess I’m just a sucker for that era. They did it best

Nice. Somthing for elevators or restrooms. Nice to come down. Missing to hear befrore I die - certainly NOT.

It started off decent enough but I found this a bit generic over the course of a very long album. Pop rock?

This was fun an a lil all over the place - first song suggested to me that it was going to be an alt country vibe but it swung all the way to a full pop record. Pretty fun.

Somebody else said in their review that this sounds like Wham last Christmas and I fully agree.

I've tried before and I just don't see what's great about it. Nothing sticks.

Jordan the comeback is a favourite of mine so I was really looking forward to this album. All well crafted songs and good but not great. When love breaks down is a beautiful song though. The rest don’t quite live up to that.

Ya deben ser abuelos, normalillos

That is such a great one. What a wonderful edition to this list. Slik, poppy, sophisticated. I feel the Elvis Costello of it Every time another surprising turn to the harmony and melody. Rithem is COOL. Lovely. Very much an 80's album. In the best way. It's not just a keeper but probably A 5

Wham last Christmas vibe

B grade New Romantics music. At times sounds like solo album Sting. Not sure if it’s essential to hear before you die. Was going to give 2 stars but I like some of the jazzy chords so 3 stars it is.

This reminds me of Coldplay. By that I mean it's dull. Oh so very dull. While listening, I by ti oh etjkmmmm. ,--zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.

9/10 Favorites: Appetite When Love Breaks Down

The album i was recommended before this, was "The Black Saint And The Sinner Lady". To go from that, to a full on Jazz pop (??) was definitely a trip. Cant say i have ever been introduced or gone out of my way to listen to "sophisti-pop" but here we are. It almost feels like a love-letter to new wave and Jazz-infused pop, and truthfully, i appreciate it for what it is.

Two in a row that I had never heard, at least I'm expanding my horizons. This one is a pretty solid 80s brit pop album. I'm struggling to find what makes it unique, different, or special enough to be on the list. It's a good album, but I do think it might be a little too middle of the road for me. I don't really know how else to describe it. 3/5

80's alt pop. Kinda interesting (yet forgettable) ride. Just not for me. 2/5

I don't really know what to think of this album. It is definitely not an easy listen. On one hand there is not a lot going on, on the other it is very complicated. It tries really hard to be one thing, but is not really anything at all to me. A very mystifying album. I thought it was good, but somehow not very enjoyable. A real odd ball and therefore tough to judge. Let's be safe and put it slap bang in the middle. 3/5

80s synth wave garbage for the most part.

Instrumentals are great but lyrics are lacking.

3.5 stars. Enjoyable alt pop album with a lush sound and strengthened by the female backing vocals. Doesn't try to do too much but has a really pleasant sound throughout.

Pedestrian

When Love Breaks Down

Of its time

I must be missing something here. Ok, it is in the 1001 book, but that’s true of lots of albums I don’t like, but specifically it is on Vulture and Mojo’s lists of the top 100 greatest albums ever. Why? I don’t think it’s interesting or innovative and, in order to bring a bit of joy back into my morning, I will give it a rare 1, my sweet vengeance-highlighting how irritated I am-for this album to sit with all the noise rock albums at the bottom of my list.

At its best this album sounded like generic 80s new wave, and at its worst it sounded like a cheesy 80s musical. The end result was pretty forgettable.

Lightning McQueen plays new wave.

Really fantastic new discovery, I’m glad I found them through this list. Love the jazz pop mixture, surprised I haven’t heard them before. They’re almost a 5, there’s a few ok tracks that don’t completely hold up for me, but they’re great.

I enjoyed this a decent amount. Pretty 80s music for sure. When Love Breaks Down and Desire As were highlights.

I'm going to start giving 1s to stuff like this. The fact that they had to release the single multiple times before it got picked up should tell you something about this album. There's nothing WRONG with it, but it is so bland and undistinctive I forgot I had music on a few times.

For a minute there on the first track, this band sounds influenced by The Smiths. There's still a touch of that influence on later tracks, but the majority is glossy 80s pop. The lead singer has a great voice. It's smooth enough for pop but with enough edge to take it into rock territory if he wants. As the album went on, I heard more Elvis Costello in the sound. And it almost has some of the complex jazz-rock arrangements you might hear on a Steely Dan album. I'm seeing the term "sophisti-pop" on the Wikipedia page, and I think that sums up the style well. Nice music with more cool details and interesting choices than your average pop album.

My first time hearing this record and I really like it. The instrumentation is fun and you never really know what to expect while it all unfolds and still maintains a consistency. There's banjo rolls, great contrasting soft backing vocals, synths, and very cool guitar parts that go from nylon guitar delicateness to hard rock electrics. It's all very eclectic and thankfully it's not just the instrumentation that's nice, the actual compositions are solid. The one negative I have is that I kind of feel like this album is missing one or two big memorable tracks. There's a lot of really strong moments throughout but I don't leave the album with a single hook repeating in my head. I did really enjoy a lot of the middle tracks, "When Love Breaks Down", "Goodbye Lucille #1", and "Hallelujah". "Hallelujah" is really great and proggy in a way. I'm giving this a 3/5 but I think there's a lot to like. If I listened to it a few more times I think it would easily be a 4. Really cool record.

A promising opening track in "Faron Young," but the farther I got into the album, the less interesting it seemed to become. Not as light and frothy as many of their contemporary British pop groups, these guys seem like they're probably overrated as more "serious." But there's really not much here.

This is an album with a very 80s sound. I quite liked it but probably wouldn't listen again

A decent record that contains some surprisingly pleasant sounds. A decent 3/5

Unadulterated pure crystallized 80s mid.

faron young- 5 bonny- 5 appetite- 5 when love breaks down- 5 goodbye lucille- 5 hallelujah- 5 moving the river- 5 horsin around- 5 desire as- 5 blueberry pies- 5 when the angels- 5

stylistically not something I would typically listen to. However, the songwriting, production and performance is extremely good. Even though this is not a style I would typically seek out the music is enjoyable and not something I would turn off.

Interesting album showing some early alternative vibes, though it quickly fell into synth pop and music that could have been produced by Wham! Decent, but after the first two tracks it sort of lost me.

new wave album that ain't bad nor is it that particularly special. the voice are pretty good :)

As a fan of new wave, the vocals and melody are not particularly special. There are so many better choices of British new wave than this. For instance, Go West and Johnny Hates Jazz. However, the songwriting, whilst a bit peculiar, is quite imaginative and creative, which is why I think the list makers added this album. I am quite fond of the drumming, though simplistic and not experimental, it is just so clear and really brings the album together.

I genuinely enjoyed this record. Mid 80’s rock is my shit really so I’m biased but this was definitely a good one. This is raw genuine emotion baby, if you’ve never felt anything then you won’t get it!

Missed opportunity at the end of Horsin' Around: instead of Paddy McAloon shouting "HUH!", the album's producer Thomas Dolby should have yelled "SCIENCE!" I liked Bonny and Appetite best. Didn't care for the general cheesy jazz lite vibe overall.

Had some moments.