Steve McQueen

phenomenal

It was alright, don't understand why my brother raves about them so much

Starts really well but definitely falls off

starts very promising and i enjoyed some songs beside them being cheesy sleazy pop hymns. but swiftly, the album fails to deliver consistent quality.

killer cover

what a nice find!! the first half of this album is maybe a 5 but the second half falls off a little bit so i’ll stick with a 4. little bit crowded house-y

Some decent ballads on here, but too much 80's department store loudspeaker pop on here for me to enjoy it too much.

Really nice 80s rock!

A nostalgic one this. Reminds me of the 6th Form common room, shy me, and a girl who was a fan of these and The Smiths - but was too nice to talk to! What a fool I was! Apt really, because it's a romantic album. I bought it on vinyl and played side A loads but side B rarely. Listening now I feel just the same; Side A is full of finely crafted and beautiful pop songs. Side B slows down and gets too clever for itself, and even annoying at times. 5 🌟 for side A, 3 🌟 for side B.

On the outset, this was pretty great! A few vaguely familiar tracks that Dad had possibly played too. Bonny, Appetite, and When Loves Breaks Down were all saved to my library. HOWEVER… By “Blueberry Pies” the energy and enjoyment was gone, left with plain, drab, meh-ness. Evens out to middle of the road.

Pretty good. Recognised a few tracks from Dad playing them over the years (Bonny and Appetite specifically). Nice alternative 80s sound.

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.

2.6 Probably more parts corny than cool. The first couple songs gave me high hopes, but the it kind of blended together after that.

Dull. Not supposed to be

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.

The first two tracks were decent 80s pop. The rest of the songs were horrible 80s pop, without hooks.

Dad- 8 Mom- 8 Mike- NA Lori- 2.5 Michael- 7 Miles- NA Cole- NA Avg- 6.38

A couple of decent songs, but not really anything i'm compelled to listen to

hér heyri ég skútu-áhrif. mjög fágað og vel spilað popp. held ég vilji meira. virðist vinna á.

4/5 not too deeply 80s. Good.

Interesting mix of the genres.

Much more interesting and appealing that I thought it would be.

Thoughts before listening: I have heard of this band, but I have no idea what they sound like. Probably British new wave and maybe part of the new romantic era (whatever that was). Review: I'm not actually sure what sub-genre this falls into, but I really like quite a bit of it. The first track "Faron Young" is one of the better discoveries I have made on this project. Just a great, catchy song with country influences but still very much an 80s new wave song...maybe a Violent Femmes vibe? The rest of the album doesn't quite live up to the promise of this song, with the sound often becoming a little too soft rock for my tastes, but it's overall an enjoyable listen. 3-stars

I really enjoyed this album. Bonny rocks

I like this more than I expected!

Sounded like a less dynamic version of the Smiths, cool British pop.

This web game has way too many mediocre English artists. I can't believe anybody would argue that I *needed* to listen to this before I die. Bored.

I think of myself as fairly well versed in 80s music, but I had never even heard of Prefab Sprout before this. Sounds like they were much more popular in the UK. They strike me as very similar to much more popular options that either are, or should be, included on the list. That said, I enjoyed listening and it took me down a very 80s synth pop road. Favorite songs: Bonny, When Loves Break Down. 3.5⭐️

It’s ok but not my type of music

This is a pretty solid album. I like how it's produced in that all of the instruments sound crisp and clean (except the cheesy 80s keyboards!). Paddy's voice is so smooth. Liked Songs Added: Appetite When Love Breaks Down

Easy to listen to. No real bad parts to this album, but no particular standouts either. ⭐⭐⭐

Very light and airy. Pretty fun record from an artist I had never heard of before. It's really easy on the ears - the music and vocals. Corny at points, but not too bad overall.

Oh shit! Steve McQueen was a musician too? Actor. Motorsports racer. All around awesome dude! I bet this rips! Oh wait, this is just the name of the album... what a let down.

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.

80-tal är inte så illa. Fina låtar, fin sång, inte så spännande. Fyra.

Decent, but you start to get bored real quick from the meandering tracks. Ultimately inoffensive.

Nothing special or offensive of note here. Very ok. As otherd have noted in these reviews, the first song is the best of the bunch, but only marginally.

This is shit

This album takes some twists and turns creatively and if you can find it within yourself to think of the 80s as a medium rather than a genre or a style, you may be rewarded.

Somewhere between early ‘80s Elvis Castillo and early 2000s Sting is this album. Unfortunately neither kept my attention, nor does this. Songs like Horsin’ Around felt like lounge act that got kicked out of Vegas and some fairy godmother experimented to see if they could make them beautiful. Instead, we discovered that Cinderella was still a lounge act. Someone loves this album, and I am grateful for them, because I will forget about this album in….done!

Random thoughts: * I'm not really sure what this music is. 80s pop, jazz, soft rock, something else. It was definitely not what I expected. * I liked this music overall. The lyrics were quite weird: "Horsin' Around" and "Blueberry Pies". What? * I definitely want to listen to this one again. I just can't quite figure out what it is.

80s melancholic vibe. I found out about this group and album when I felt pretty miserable after a heartbreak 💔 It really touched me and now I enjoy listening to it. Especially the sequence of songs from Bonny to Goodbye Lucille

Probably could have convinced me to give this a three, but they are British ...

At first I thought that it's just some 80's pop or something but the longer album goes the more interesting it becomes

So... OK. Turns out I knew about the Prefab Sprouts from back in the day. I thought they were OK to good, but honestly I never heard a whole album or anything. I looked forward to a full on album listen and was... I was kinda let down TBH. I felt like the album was the musical equivalent to a movie that is visually OK and acted OK but where the story just isn't that interesting. In other words, I found a whole album Prefab Sprout experience to be kinda boring in a way. One other remark would be more neutral but of interest: It does not age badly by any stretch but somehow you feel the age in it. I don't know why. It did nothing to hurt the album, just a weird sort of thing I noticed. They are not the only band by far and away that has this oddity. Nevertheless, at the end of the day I was left in a kind of unwanted MEH state.

This was a weird album by a band I've never heard of but it wasn't bad, pretty middle of the road!

i think this is one of those records that is still incredibly consistent, but the structure of the thing is what holds it back. the B-Side is still good, of course. i've come around on "Horsin' Around", and "Desire As" is as good as any song on the flipside, but by virtue of having that flipside present with all its gold undistributed across the record, it makes the latter half look like a slog, a comedown after 5-6 consecutive highs. "Goodbye Lucille #1" is basically a perfect closer and they just... don't go for it. what an A-Side, though -- delicate but flashy synth flourishes, the right twinkle of guitars, and those wonderful sardonic lyrics that Paddy's such a master at writing. sometimes, if i lose the mood quickly enough, i'll put on a record and then not flip it over and choose to do something else. if i ever lose the mood for Steve McQueen, i'll still feel something.

Cool vibe. Listened through a couple times. Standouts for me: Bonny, Appetite, When Love Breaks Down.

Fine.

Utterly boring. I remember this type of music in the charts at the time. Found it boring then and it remains the same

Honestly didn’t stick with me well enough to give a detailed review.

This shit is rad

That was very nice! Lovely harmonies. Sometimes the melodies remind me of Steely Dan.

I don't know. I seem to understand the British music scene a bit more from this list. But seriously this isn't interesting music. I don't understand where this stuff keeps coming from.

Speeding out of the gate with a fervor for sophisticated treatises on love both acquired and lost, Prefab Sprout offer up their magnum opus with Steve McQueen. While no one was striding in like Cool Hand Luke, what was apparent was the heart on sleeve earnestness of the songs that makes this an intoxicating and invigorating listen forty years on. Give into it and do not let go. Favorites: Faron Young, Bonny, Appetite, When Love Breaks Down, Goodbye Lucille #1, Moving the River, Desire As.

Sounds just like the 80s, but really enjoyable songwriting and production. The acoustic version is also really great with wonderful songwriting. Very unique but also familiar. Will listen again

Ok

+ Bonny, Goodbye Lucille #1

I wonder if I love this album because it’s amazing or because I grew up on it. I think it might have been a tough sell if this were my first listen. Thankfully, it isn’t. I love the harmonies and the lyrics. The stories.

Another unknown band. nice vocal. Good tunes. Overall good album.

Meh 2.8

Reminds me of the smiths who came a year before but they don’t have Johnny Mars guitar to keep you around

I really liked Appetite (the acoustic version was particularly great) and When Love Breaks Down. The acoustic stuff was definitely what shone through on this album although I don’t think that was on the original release. The album overall was fine. It’s better than middle of the road but not a 4 so a 3 it is.

Awful 1985 music.

Arsch langweilig

Gonna be honest, I audibly groaned at seeing it was a sophisti-pop album. Feel like I've gotten one or two of those before and didn't like them. That said, pretty solid album. Think the first half is stronger than the second half. Appetite is great. Even when its trading in a lot of 80's sounds and production styles that I normally would dislike, it doesn't come off as unbearable to listen. And compared to other sophisti-pop records I've listened to, it's very consistent in sound and style throughout. That said, it sounds like a lot of music that I do dislike, it just happens to be the best version of that music I've heard, so while it's still not really my thing, I can appreciate that it is good.

Soft, clever, and a little too proud of itself. A few good moments, but mostly forgettable 80s fluff

I wish half stars were an option on the rating style because this one feels like a strong 7. A lot of fun songs on the tracklist made this one a breeze to listen to this morning. Favorite Songs: Faron Young / Moving the River

Enjoyable but musically unremarkable. If I'm being frank, I didn't give this one my full attention, but even then, I was happy with the lyrical writing. However, it is the music, which didn't require much concentration, that leaves me unimpressed. It feels like paper-thin jazz fusion that could have benefited from commitment to its component genres. At no point was there a rhythm that got me moving or a melody that had me swooning, but I'm willing to chock this one up to taste. 6.75/10 Favorite Song: Hallelujah

5/10 This was fine. I can’t say I’ll return but it was alright. Enjoyable listen but didn’t feel much here

I was initially intrigued to listen to this one, mainly because I saw that Thomas Dolby had produced it and I have previously enjoyed some of his work. The album opens promisingly enough with a jaunty honky tonk style tribute to country singer Faron Young, but then it turns into a series of fairly bland and almost identical songs about nothing particularly memorable. It’s a pleasant enough listen, but it falls into the previously mentioned genre of unthreatening CDs to put on at 80s dinner parties. Blandtastic!

I wanted to write something about it but it's so bland that I kind of instantly forget it once I was done listening to it. It wasn't so bad to get a 1, but once again, I could have died happily without it.

I don't believe I'd ever heard Prefab Sprout. I don't hate it, but definitely not really my thing. A little too goofy and dated sounding for me, but can tell they're talented

cant say i remember any of their stuff from back in the day.. it could very well be influential, but I cant say in what way?

I love Prefab Sprout. A master class in mass-appeal idiosyncratic art-pop. Those synths are an anchor in the harbor of 1985, the only thing keeping this album from being timeless. I have had "Appetite" in my head since I saw the video in high school and I'm still not sure what its about. The only real digs I have against this album is how front-loaded it is and those gated drums, but it's how the world was back then.

I'd heard of this band but never listened to them, and I'm sure I appreciate this much more today than I would have in 1985, when my tastes generally didn't lean in this direction. Shades of Sade and Orange Juice, whom we've already covered on this list, and even The Smiths. It has a certain elegance. Produced by Thomas Dolby, I read.

I'd never heard of Prefab Sprout before this, and it took me a couple listens to figure out how I felt about this one. I think I dig it; there are little moments in the songs that I quite love, but it doesn't ever quite come together perfectly into any song. This is a high three for me right now. I'll probably come back to it later.

Unexpected! first track appears to be the inspiration for Walk like an Egyptian. Good record. Sorry to have missed this one back in the day.

It's...fine? Nice? Perfectly OK?

Dead good.

Das war erstaunlich gut. Angenehmer 80s Pop, hat wirklich Spaß gemacht.

Nice and easy listen. Got some real good ones on here.

Another boring 80’s new wave album…

This album very nostalgic for me. I'm sure I'm rating it higher than I would if I didn't know it so well.

Pretty generic 80s songs.

The lyrics are witty and the 80s instrumentals are beautiful, but the tunes aren't there, and nothing sticks.

Competent 80s pop rock with clever lyrics. Triffids hit harder with similar to me.

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.

3/5

Started out nicely and enjoyable and as I continued to listen it seem like every song after track 5 I wanted to skip. Although the bass tone is pretty awesome throughout the album.

"Steve McQueen" is the second studio album by English pop band Prefab Sprout. The Wiki-listed genre is sophisti-pop. Yes, they would one of the poster children for that. The title and album reference actor Steve McQueen and his love for Triumph motorcycles. Prefab Sprout is Paddy McAloon (vocals, guitars, keyboards), Neil Corti (drums, percussion), Martin McAloon (bass) and Wendy Smith (keyboards, backing vocals). Commercially, the album reached #21 in the UK and had highly positive reviews. The album opens with the rockabilly/country song "Faron Young." An edgy guitar that reminded me of Johnny Cash. A harmonica is added with keyboards in the background. It's about a country music singer and the only song of this style, which I like, on the album. "Appetite" has a deep bass and clear drum sound. A swirling synth. Here's the sophisti-pop. A pregnant girl is in love with her child and all she wants is to name it after all the good things in her life. "When Love Breaks Down" was released three times before it broke on through. A slower song with layered vocals by Paddy and Wendy Smith. The song picks up the pace with the drum beat. This is very 80's sounding. "Goodbye Lucille #1" was released as single with the name "Jonny Jonny" and it's not surprising since Wendy Smith keeps reading Jonny Jonny in the backing vocals. Expressive vocals by Paddy. The song builds with a guitar solo. An older man is offering advice to love torn boy who's been dumped. The band takes "Horsin' Around" in a jazzy direction with a bossa nova-esque beat. The synth horns also give it a cabaret feel. The album has a great sound to it. Great production and mixing by producer Thomas Dolby. The lyrics are clever and the vocals are emotional, tender and very clear to hear. The music is a perfect example of good 80's sophisti-pop. I also always like a prominent bass in the mix. This is a really good album and one to go back to for highly crafted pop music.

Started off ok then had many bad songs. Sounds like a band that can actually rock making the terrible decision to play 80s pop. music: hated. (⌐■_■)

I like Prefab Sprout, but I guess maybe mostly like Swoon. This one’s got some good songs but some semi-duds too. A good album but I wish it was better. Isn’t that the way it is

- Feast or famine here. Swinging from delightful 4-star ditties to incredibly dated, emotionally flat 1-star borefests. - Tracks 2-5 ("Bonny" to "Goodbye Lucille #1) are all very solid and I find myself entranced. Unfortunately these are buttressed by the cacophony of "Faron Young" and the painful "Hallelujah." - Some hot spots beyond that, but for every fun twist in "Horsin' Around" there is a slog in "When The Angels." - Sidenote: These lyrics are truly nonsensical. Usually does not bother me, but this is starting to go past interesting to silly.

The author of this list has to be English and have nostalgia for the 1980s. This is yet more totally average 80s music by a British group I've never heard of.

There is nothing really memorable about this. I'm not a fan.

Steve McQueen by Prefab Sprout took me by surprise with its layers of distortion on the first track. "Appetite" is a standout track for me - I really like the sound of that one. "Horsin’ Around" is another standout that has a unique and playful vibe. The album’s jazz influences add an interesting dimension, especially in contrast with its more synth-driven moments, like the atmospheric background elements on When the Angels. Lyrically, the album leans into a quirky, almost erratic style that feels both charming and unpredictable. Not every track hits—"Desire As" feels like a repetitive and weak song in overall. But I think that mostly, the album delivers a quality listen that I probably would've enjoyed for a bit if I had been around during the time this came out. Solid 4/5.

The first three songs are solid, if fairly generic. Once the synths come in on “When Love Breaks Down”, the album breaks down along with the love. Muzak with weird breathy throat singing ain’t it.

80s sophisticated pop rock. Good but not exactly my cup of tea.

Solidly 2 stars, but the song Bonny is 5 stars for me, so I’m bumping it up to 3

Strange one. It feels way ahead of it's time but I don't think that makes it good. It just feels like a nothing who cares album from 2005 instead of 1985. It's kinda interesting but I won't be returning

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.

Unknown pop album. Boring. Typical. Did I say boring? Hard pass

Great example of some of the janglepop albums of the 80s coming from the UK at the time.

Bad.

fine

I'd struggle to call it notable or interesting, but it wasn't bad.

Album title = coolest, band name = lamest. Put these two together, and it averages out to a solid 3 star rating.

Euphoric in its highs and therapeutic at its lows, Prefab is a pretty fab mid-80s gem no longer hidden from me.

I don’t know. It sounds maudlin and sugary sweet for most of the record. Occasionally an interesting musical idea is merges. But mostly I found this forgettable. 2/5

Kom á óvart. Fyrri hluti geggjaður en fjarar út

Elska þessa plötu.

the most immaculately 80s pop album ever

2/5. I'm not into it. It's too soft, like music you hear in an elevator.

Es como un pop-rock meloso onda Rod Stewart o un poco menos pop, pero ochentoso. Arranca muy bien, más melódico, con mucha guitarra rítmica y después se va desinflando, poniendo mucho más lento y robótico.

Really nice album that I have no idea how to rate. Sometimes it's cheesy, sometimes it's kinda funky, sometimes it rocks a little bit. It's definitely like, nerdy intelligent 80s pop, like Colour of Spring-era Talk Talk. Well shit, I love that album, so I guess this gets good points as well, even though it's not amazing per se. And sure why not, let's give it a "must-listen" designation -- #87 in my list so far.

This is good. The first half has some really good songs but then the rest just blends into the background. Its good but unmemorable music.

One of the greatest albums ever!

Alright synth pop or new wave (not sure in difference. As the album went on I was getting more and more bored. Unrelated to my vote, not at all what I pictured something titled Steve McQueen to sound like

Sadly, apart from "When Love Breaks Down," and maybe one or two others, I found this too mellow and the mid-80s production sounds really dated to my ears.

light 4

Can’t remember either 3

Meh.

слишком дефолтный британский поп из 80-х, 2/5

popy but arrangements are amazing

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

Good album

80's pop. Reminds me a lot of Ben Folds

Lovely surprise. Didn't expect to know something from this band but was familiar with atleast 3 songs

This has such memories for me of girls and motors and night drive and beaches and bonfires and parties and tents and hangovers and lie-ins with said girls.

Very repetitive. Idk it was the 80s.

Soo mid. Incredibly mid. Would not relisten

Not bad. Of its day. Sits somewhere between Deacon Blue and Tears for Fears though the opener feels pure Dr Feelgood. Ok.

I quite enjoyed Prefab Sprout back in the 80’s when I was a teenager who had no idea what good music was. No way this should be on this list.

Kinda surprised by this, it was almost recognisablw but not really.

This 80s album doesn't stand out from other 80s music. This is not a must-hear because, despite having never heard it before, I feel like I've heard it before.

Poppy - Synthy 80's op vibe that I don't hate Appetite - Acoustic is pretty nice Acoustic Versions > Electric

What an absolute treat.

3.5★. Really liked the first half, but the second does take a drop, although nothing bad.

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

Ok, not for me though.

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.

I really liked this. It reminded me a bit of The Smiths without the whining, violent lyrics, and Moz - this was pleasant and polite 80s new wave/rock. 3.5 stars.

Another 80s album I could live without

Another 80s album ruined and beyond boring due to horrible, lame production. I couldnt bear to sit through the acoustic sessions by the time the original part was done, but noticed that the first few seconds of that version was notably better.

Kind of a boring album. Didn't do much for me

Meh. It was blandly ok.

A band I whose name I'd heard before, maybe as a punchline to a joke I didn't get, but never listened to. An album where you picture the music video for every song - all kooky animations and billowing curtains and neon moods. It sounds great, bearing all the hallmarks of its time. The guitar sound especially is so good, bell-like hypercompressed and so clean it cuts. The bass has an awesome pop to it and the synths are cornier than a road trip in Iowa. Jazzy funk straight from the supermarket radio paired with new wave art pop, the songwriting is full of yearning instropection and heartache juxtaposed to upbeat music. It fades in the final third and Horsin Around is a hard pass. Favorites: Bonny, Goodbye Lucille 1

I think I would have probably liked this if I was alive when it came out but it also wasn't that special to me now

Lucille #1! Not bad, overall! Some catchy songs that I enjoyed.

Not bad. Some of it was kinda catchy and has a cool tone

Ahhhh not great.

Meh

Been on a little 80's pop/new-wave kick today I guess. Don't know anything about this group or album. A lot more jazzy and lo-fi than I was expecting. It's vulnerable, touching on love and heartbreak among other things. The parts of the whole weren't super memorable though, so I honestly can't really take anything home from this I guess. Just "alright".

Well, I don't know anything about this band but apparently I have listed to I Trawl the Megahertz before. Anyway, this album started to get better and better on the second listen and it's a solid 4 for me. Faves: Faron Young, Appetite

My main point of reference with Prefab Sprout is the track "The King of Rock 'N' Roll" as used in the "Spaced" soundtrack, and this album has some of that sound, but lacks the OTT ridiculous lyrics, perhaps. And that's probably a blessing. I quite liked this - another piece of evidence that I just really really dislike Simply Red in particular, not 80s music more generally. Fave tracks - "Goodbye Lucille #1" amuses me as it makes me think of "Arrested Development" - that chorus might get irritating with more listens, though. "Horsin' Around" maybe comes closest to the kitschy novelty I was expecting - like that lounge vibe. "Desire As" and "When the Angels" are probably the songs I liked the most...

probably wont remember it. but solid 3

Groupe inconnu. J'apprécie la section rythmique, mais aucun morceau ne m'a réellement accroché. Agréable à écouter, mais pas très marquant. Je n'y reviendrais pas. =>2/5

Never listened to this before. It's good 80s pop and reminds me of high school. Overall it's not my thing as I was more into the goth/punk scene in the 80s.

hmmmm sounds like country...okay maybe not. 2 stars. Nothing special and I didn't listen to the whole thing the top 2 songs on the album weren't that great

Huh. Interesting music for the times. It sounds far more modern than 1985. Cool mix of British guitar rock, jazz, showtune and new wave-y styles and vibes. Having said that, I don’t think I’d go back to it, mostly because I don’t really like his voice, his lyrics or ultimately his playing.

When I put this on I wanted to like it, I really did. But I didn’t.

Better than most sophisti-pop records, I suppose. 3/5

Adult pop with a bit of jazz influence

really nice sound! this is another one that i had absolutely no prior knowledge of but really surprised me with how much i liked it. the production is crisp and interesting and not overly dated by 80s synth sound- it actually sounds pretty timeless. the lyrics are also smart and contemplative and i like the lead singer's voice. i also like the electric and acoustic versions of the song equally well, which shows how strong the songs are by themselves and also how smart the production (of both versions!) is. i will definitely be checking out some other albums from this band!

Not bad but incredibly uninteresting

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.

Why this is even here? I have no idea

In general, I do not like 80's pop music, so this was a boredom for me.

All over the place. Sounds at time like a 2020 bad trying to sound like a band from 1980.

Io sono velocità

Ed io che ero pronto a dare 2

It's ok

Fine 80s pop with one or two really good songs. I'm feeling generous

eh

#453. While there's nothing technically wrong with this, but I think it's safe to assume that if you're not British and born in the 60s, then you probably don't give a fuck about whatever is happening on this record. 3/5: mid Song added to playlist: When Love Breaks Down I've created a playlist on Spotify that consists of the best and/or my favorite song from each of the albums in this book. This list can be found here if you are interested: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7MAXDGLWlwLkFLb8veGfkA?si=FqkQQPgZTFWG0jAUJXLFZA&utm_source=copy-link

First track was quite cool. Unfortunately it was pretty much downhill from there.

Very dull album. Struggled to keep my attention at the end. Bonny and When Love Breaks Down were ok and save it from being a 1

Meh

Better than most the other 80's pop on this list. Will I listen to again: 15%

I liked this more than I expected. Very lovely songs.

no

Sublime

Pretty good

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

Never judge an album by its cover, I see. I thought it would be some old classic rock or country rock, but it's actually synth rock and kind of new wave. I still don't quite like this album, but it's more interesting than I thought (but still a bit dull; the opening track is fun, but those that followed are not so creative). I think I'd give it a 2.5/5 for this one.

Ok, american new wave is better than british new wave, I will say. But this still got quite repetitive by the end. Stand-out: When Love Breaks Down

V good arrangements

I'd listened to their album Jordan: The Comeback, but not Steve McQueen. I liked this album lot! I can definitely hear the influence on a lot of indie music from the 2000s that I love. And Faron Young immediately brought the Smiths to mind, but then that banjo kicked in. I would love a whole album of that sound. (Also I did not know before, but Faron Young was a country singer/songwriter and has a song called It's Four in the Morning, so the country sound on this song makes more sense now.) I will absolutely be listening to this again.

This generator has helped me find so much music I love, mid-80s pop is not it. Something about the crisp cleans, synths, and cornball lovesick lyrics pisses me off. Steve McQueen should not be associated with this.

this been on my list for a minute excited to check it out really like the synths on here. yeah they're pretty dated, egregiously 80s, but they add a lot of pretty texture to the songs, especially on the first 4 tracks. Love the jazzier cuts on here too. great album def gonna get some mileage out of this

I just can't find anything I liked about this record. It's boring and uninspiring. There's nothing here that hasn't been done better somewhere else.

Seeing this listed as another sophisti-pop album did not set my hopes very high. I was pleasantly surprised…for the first half. They decided to make one half of a really great album and then made the second half not that. Favorites were Faron Young, Bonny, When Love Breaks Down, and Goodbye Lucille #1.

Really wanted to enjoy this as have listened to quite alot of dreary dark shit recently. It starts really well with the first 5 tracks excellent upbeat/ jangly 80's pop with clever lyrics and great hooks. It then slows down and gets a bit dull and forgettable. Feeling generous so just squeezes a 4. Best track Faron Young.

I have mixed feelings about my 20th album. 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 sure is an 80s album alright

Not for me this.

что бы сказал Стив Макуин?

Love it!

You know the yuppy neighbors Todd and Margo in National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation? They definitely own this album.

Interesting and different

Actually pretty fun. I liked it

I unapologetically love New Wave and New Romantic music, particularly if it is from the 80s. So, as a purveyor of said genres, I enjoyed the first 2 tracks on this album, and wondered how I could not be more familiar with this band, but then I heard the rest of the album fall into a black hole of ballads that it never recovered from, and I then realized why I had never heard of Prefab Sprout's STEVE MCQUEEN. The recordings are well done from a technical point of view but creatively they never elevate beyond the first couple of tracks, and they never maintain the kind of propulsive intensity required for an album so boldly named after an actor known for his passionate speed and adventuring hobbies.

## 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.

2.5☆/5 11.23.2024

I reeeally liked this. First time I've heard of "sophisti-pop." It feels almost like this album is the answer to "what if post-punk and new wave were actually good?"

At times they sound like a cross between Elvis Costello and Steely Dan, and there's no shame in that. I wish the lyrics tried either a little harder or a little less hard. Musically there's some interesting stuff going on. This is a provisional score — I could see it going up or down on further listens.

Overall mediocre, uninteresting more than bad.

fookin shite

I never wondered to myself what it would sound like if someone decided to bite from the smiths, billy idol, and wham all on one album while throwing in a lounge tune bc fuck it, why not? But now I have the answer. After the first two smiths-light sounding tracks, I thought I might be in for a pleasant surprise but by the end, I wanted to punch this singer in the face as often as he repeated the same three unclever lines in “Desire As.”

It is fairly solid, but doesn't really appeal to me

what i found interesting is that almost every song i started off thinking "wow, this one seems a bit underwhelming" but once the chorus hit, i was a bit blown away. great catchy choruses. really clean, pleasant production. vocals are pretty great. just a really nice sounding piece of music. it doesn't approach the level of a favorite, but i still enjoyed the twists and turns and the stellar production.

Pretty enjoyable album. It definitely sounded 80s, but in a very good way. Some of the songs I could have done without, but the good songs are really good.

This is a pretty enjoyable listen. It's difficult to categorize these guys into a genre. Bonnie sounds like it could have been released this year, it's a slapper. Iconic line "I'm turkey hungry, I'm chicken free".

2.5/5

Hot dog, jumping frog, Albuquerque. 8/10

solid 80s but not super 80s

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]

Brilliant!

It was ok. Nothing I was blown away by. Wouldn't listen to it again. Solid 3.0.

2+

Fun indie like rock jams. Pretty chill, pretty fun. Good listening nothing incredible.

# Playlist Track - Bonny # Notes - Very nostalgic 80's vibes, sure. But also a not very interesting album, with an atrocious tail-end. The last few tracks are super boring. - I'd give it a higher rate if it was shorter. Just a burst of 80's vibe. - Not horrible, but a very forgettable experience that I don't look forward to repeat.

Didn't feel too strongly about this one.

Somehow I never listened to this, but it's right in line with what I would have liked. Consider that in 1985 you would have to strike it lucky by having a good indie radio station, by having classy friends, or by picking a record based on its cover. I don't think I ever saw the record anywhere. Lucky me, there is also the 1001 list. 'McQueen' has the 80's virtues of creative, life-affirming charm and great production. File under 'positive outlook on life for a little while.'

Interesting

My husband's cousins :-) (huge family, I never met them) If I'd heard the first song on the radio I'd have wondered how there was a Smiths song I didn't know, but I liked the whole album.

I knew thirty seconds into this album that it would be completely forgettable, and it was. Still, it was a decent listen, and I did enjoy parts of it. Then, I couldn't remember any of it.

Polite pop for people who hate excitement.

Too many angsty teenage songs about lost love. Has a very specific target demographic, to which I don't belong anymore.

199/1001 🌕🌕🌗🌑🌑

Rock, RnR, 1984 -> 3

I wanted to like this more but it's pretty dull

“Sophisti-pop” is not a genre label that excited me on first glance, but this is not only sophisticated but also emotive, well-written, and well-produced pop. It’s certainly lacking in edge, but it makes up for it in craft. Best song: Polly

Ganska skön platta.

I'd love to rate this higher. I live about 2 miles from Witton Gilbert (note for Americans, that's pronounced "Whitt-un Jill-butt") where the band was from, and it's nice to see local talent (and there is no doubt they are talented) doing well. I have, however, checked to see how much album I've got left to endure more than once, and I can't overlook that. I don't think it's terrible, not compared to, say, anything at all that's country or a folky singer/songwriter who sounds like they're singing with their eyes shut. But the interesting bits, when they do turn out, are swamped by genuinely dull-as-ditchwater morose synth twaddle. I actually feel quite sad at having to give it a two.

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...

I really enjoyed the first half of this album a lot but for whatever reason my interest waned in the second half, still solid though.

The album felt like it dragged on a little bit. I enjoyed the first few songs then it lost me a little but. Enjoyed hearing the acoustic versions of some songs later on in the album.

Prefab Sprout were on my periphery in high school. Their CD was always around in the used bin, but I never succumbed. I think it was my loss. I am enjoying this. A lot of commonality with Squeeze, but musically and lyrically. Clean 80s brit-pop. A few more tracks in and putting myself in my orange Chuck's, I probably did hear it back then and thought it was too cheesy. By the time Appetite hit, I was getting pretty sick of them. Did anyone else hear the odd grab of Steely Dan Aja in that track? Desire As - pops out as an anomaly on the album standing well above the rest.

It started strong for me with Faron Young but then went a bit sideways and too much into sophistipop. It’s nice and I can see why it’s here. It’s just nice.

1001 albums you need to hear including quite a bit of rather bland 80s British pop.

First listen: boring; whatever Second listen: not sure about some of the jazzy instrumentation, but Desire As has a pretty good hook Third listen, after wanting to hear Desire As again: this is actually awesome The sound gives it away here and there, but no way I would have guessed this is from the deep 80s.

Half half, soms beetje saai maar best wat leuke nummers

Pretty good! The last track especially. Let's be generous and rate it above average.

I really like this. Super easy listening. Definitely need to listen to this again. Also there is an acoustic version and it is sooooo good.

Started strong and quickly went to shit.

The first 10 seconds was ok but it went downhill, and fast. Something I never want to listen to again in my life. I'm often bewildered at how we took the amazing rock of the 70s and went so far backwards in the 80s. But we did. And luckily the 90s turned up to save the day. This is dull, terribly produced and totally unmemorable. I guess we could blame The Keyboard but plenty of people figured out how to use it without creating soulless cheesy pap. Prefab Sprout did not.

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

I thought this was quite cute! I hope they danced to this in in sepia tones in 1985 :) I....could like this. I think.

Not terrible, but also not very exciting. Feels very old style ahah

I don't know what is it but I find this quite annoying. Almost feels like the soundtrack of a TV series or old movie. What bothers me most is that I can't really point out what bothers me.

At best 2 stars i really don't click with this dude. He's an easy listen at least.

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

2.4 - I was really hoping to like this after the first song, but my god it sounded really arrogant. Hard to describe, but the it's as though he thought the lyrics were more profound than they actually were.

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

Pop rock english, dinner band vibes

Very 80s, but actually pretty good 80s. Second half weaker than the first, but some very enjoyable moments on there. Surprised one of those tracks didn't make it on to Vice City. 3.5*

Always enjoy this album, although I don’t really know why

Utter crap

Prefab sprout Kinda cool and definitely full of surprises in every song. I Love all the 80’s synth sounds . I liked Faron young, Bonny, when love breaks down, goodbye Lucille, . Least favorites were moving along the River and horsing around.

Liked some of the songs like bonny and when love breaks down. Some of the lyrics/songwriting i wasnt feeling as much. Overall more interesting and enjoyable than most on this list

These were some of the worst lyrics I ever heard. But then I liked the last song. angels kinda reminded me of Jimmy Eat World

Alright. A bit 80's and a bit samey...

This is a fine rock CD, but I would've never picked it out of a crowd. It's just a little light and soft for my taste. Which is fine, it's pleasant background noise. But it lacks any real haymakers that would make it a good active listen. The highest-tension moment is probably the chorus on "Bonny", and that maybe gets to a 4/10 on the excitement scale.

Listened to this while playing Isofarian Guard. This was the first album I listened to after my dog passed away. I would much rather listen to this than go through that experience again. That said...this album is so far from essential listening. I didn't hate it...but i could immediately think of 1001 other albums that could beat this out.

I liked this! Britpop

This album is about as exciting as a low sodium saltine. There is no reason for anyone to have to listen to this.

I don't think I have heard this before, it's pretty good. Reminds me of "The Postal Service" with the kind of whispered singing. The music is very good and pretty chilled out, easy to listen to without being dominating. I'm sure I will be listening to this again.

You know this is my first time hearing of and listening to a lot of these band's music, this band included. Truthfully dont know much about Prefab Sprout, strange band name by the way, looking into them a little bit more, theres not much to see lol, they never seemed to pick up in popularity much, even in their time. Looking at the bands discography is just kinda sad, after 2003 the band really just seems to be the main singer left, being blinded by serious medical conditions, sad. Welp, with that out of the way, their sound seems to be very influenced by early 80s funk, possibly even leaning more on the side of j-funk from that era, their beats sounding very similar to that of the likes of Miki Matsubara. But the way that it is executed comes off as amateur, I feel that the lead singer has a great voice, but just doesn't do enough with it to really pull me into any particular song. Would not listen to another song off this album again unfortunately. Fav Song: Bonny 1.5

I love the title of the album. My mother loved Steve McQueen. Guy was a stud back in the day. As for the album, my first reaction was this is a little cheesy, popish for my taste. But then I had to remind myself, I'm a little cheesy myself. Gave this album a 3rd listen, acoustic and all, and think I liked a little more each time, especially the first 5 songs. Flipped flopped if I enjoyed the acoustic versions more, but really doesn't make a difference, I enjoyed a good portion of this album. It could be because the preceding 3 albums were brutal, but I don't think so. Best album of the week for sure. 3

3 You know, with the genre listed as “sophisti-pop”, I was kind of prepared to hate this, but it really wasn’t bad. It even starts with a fun, bouncy number in Faron Young that reminded me a bit of something that would come from my boys The Smiths, and while the rest of the album is very different from that first song, I really didn’t mind the change. I mean, yes, it’s mostly all slow, easy listening, ‘80s cheese from there, but as far as that kind of thing goes, I really feel like this was one of the better offerings. For the most part, I found this album to be kind of a vibe, though admittedly, the front half is MUCH stronger than the first. The first four or five songs here in particular are a really solid series of tracks, whereas the back half didn’t have much I found remarkable. Though, if you really want to do yourself a favor, listen to some of the acoustic bonus tracks from the deluxe edition on Spotify. I honestly think the acoustic version of Appetite in particular was my favorite thing I heard across my whole listen, and probably the one song I’m most likely to save coming out of this. It’s got some great lyrics to it as well, though I couldn’t disagree more strongly with one in particular: “Wishing she could call him ‘Heartache’ But it's not a boy's name” Gotta say - guys may be able to hide that kind of thing better (or are just expected to be more guarded about it), but I’ve been around some pretty damn heartsick boys in my lifetime. Lord knows I’ve been one of them. Really not the kind of thing I thought I would have liked at all, but I’m glad to have been exposed to it and proved wrong. While I don’t know if I’d call it any sort of all-time great, I’m not upset with its inclusion on this list.

A solid 80's pop album.

The start of this album was really promising, but I just didn't like much of this album. I think there are bits of each track that work well, foreshadowing some of the alternative/indie music of decades to come, but the overall cohesion just isn't there.

This is just more British garbage. Got worse the longer it went on. Album was short (45 minutes) but felt long. 3/10 (1.5/5)

Bonny is super cool. Rest of the songs have super weird lyrics

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.

gorgeous album!

Just not my jam

Not a terribly thrilling album and I am not sure why it has to be in the book. There are some fun songs on here (maybe not "fun" but quality songs) and I really like "Bonny," When Love Breaks Down" and "When the Angels." I feel like I should not have enjoyed this album because of the dour sound and 80's production, plus the album cover would have been awesome if it was tongue-in-cheek...yet I liked it all.

Smooth, suave and sophisticated pop from an unfairly forgotten band. One never loved this lot quite as much as a few friends did back in the day – perhaps they had more refined tastes at that point, but one's come to love this record over the intervening years. Still, it's been a minute since the last full listen and certainly this holds up exceedingly well and feels like a breath of fresh, synthy mid-80s air. Pro tip: don't sleep on China Crisis.

I really liked the first song but it all kind of went downhill from there. I typically like this sort of thing but it was starting to annoy me by the end.

You can tell this was made in the 80s, lol. It’s not really a bad thing though. There’s good tracks here but most of them don’t really do much for me, especially near the end and middle.

I really oddly enjoyed this. Started off strong, and meandered a bit but I still loved all the riffs that I felt were quite modern. 3.5

Always missed that band, but this album is amazingly beautiful

Not a bad 80s pop album. When Love Breaks Down is a standout track. Not sure if it's really got the staying power of other 80s albums, but it's a decent enough listen.

This is actually quite good. I mean, I wouldn't pay money for it, and I wouldn't go to a concert by them, and I wouldn't recommend it to friends, and I'd probably use the CD for a coaster (if I'd obtained a copy as a gift or marketing campaign, because as I said, I wouldn't pay money for it), and I wouldn't take up storage space on my phone with it, nor would I waste bandwidth by streaming it. But still, this is actually quite good.

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

Ok 80s pop

Starts out with a bit of a rockabilly country twang, but it was fairly middle of the road 80s jazz infused synth pop (shout out Thomas Dolby) from there onwards. Neither soaring too high nor sinking too low, always average on average.

My roommate used to play side 1 a lot. Now I understand why she never played side 2. Nice memories.

Whatever happened to Prefab Sprout? They were huge at one time and Swoon was a triumph. This was almost as good but I think they went off track and disappeared with the 80s. Even so, this is a nostalgic sound and well written and produced.

listened to again man these compositions and chord shapes are elite for such a poppy band

Surprisingly good. Enjoyed it.

Cleansed the palette from the ELP ordeal here. I only knew Prefab Sprout for the King of Rock and Roll, but it's clear that, like so many of their contemporaries in the Scottish 80s scene, they really knew how to write a brilliant pop song. I'll listen to this again and again.

Was very good. Sadly not all about Steve McQueen so a loss of a point 7/10

This one probably shouldn't be on this list. I'm a big fan of 80s synth pop, so this should have been in my wheelhouse. However, it seems below average for the era, and hasn't really aged well. No wonder they were worried about a lawsuit from Steve McQueen's estate.

Ну такое. Лучшая песня - Desire As.

Cutieee non me l’aspettavo