Kilimanjaro

All killer, no filler.

The original version of this album is awesome. Stands up today much better than a lot of other new wave and post punk records from the period.

Idk how y’all were hating on this one fr. The guitar riff breaks that follow the choruses on I’m drowning are unexpected but sick. Baseline on second head goes crazy and is a little smiths like. I like how the album is really close to being pop but always has an element or chord progression that makes it darker. The moody lyrics and delivery, bass lines, and guitar riffs definitely influenced a lot of British groups after them. Really solid 4 that I enjoyed a lot but don’t know if it’s quite a 5 for me after 2 listens. Update: fuck it I’m going with a light 5 hopefully this ages well 👍: haha I’m drowning, treason, second head Guess for art rating: 5/10 for og one 6/10 for mountain cover

Fav songs: - Sleeping Gas - Treason - Second Head - Poppies in the field - Brave Boys Keep Their Promises - Thief of Baghdad - Kilimanjaro - Strange House In The Snow

Sumo con esteroides

This is the good stuff.

Genius.. the archdrood takes off

This is one of those bands I'd heard of but know nothing about. Although as soon as I heard Reward my memory was pricked by one of the great dance numbers. Definitely enjoying the surging bass and drums on Second Head. Then it pops nicely into Poppies which builds very nicely to a satisfying conclusion. When I Dream is a great conclusion to the album with its psychedelic slow fade giving more than just a gentle nod to a certain Liverpool band.

A post-punk masterpiece. (4.5)

Another new one to me, I pretty much immediately liked it. Sleeping Gas devolved into such a chaotic mess of organ and horns. Did a little research; Julian Cope got his start here, that's cool. Yeah, this album was pretty rad. Will definitely listen again.

Another surprising album. I liked this one quite a bit. It wasn't perfect, but I really enjoyed it. 4.5/5

I quite enjoyed this, another great discovery from the list. I'm keen to keep this one on the playlist. Faves: Sleeping Gas, Kilimanjaro, Treason (and Traison from the bonus tracks)

I WAS A BOUNCING BABY

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Great psychedelic new wave debut from 80's Britain. Liked the sound. Amazing!

Cool discoverment!

Really enjoyed this album. Definitely felt like an early pioneer of the pop punk sound and I’m all here for it.

A competent pop album, with Reward as the opening track. Hayward has a commanding voice and a talent for writing energetic basslines. An expensive production with plenty of brass and the best synths that 1980 could offer. Apart from the synths, this could come out today. The lyrics are whimzical and puzzling - "Bless my cotton socks, I'm in the news", indeed!

I Went Crazy after listening to this album. I guess that was my Reward.

Psychedelic blend of new wave and post-punk influences, fun listen. Another album that hooks me with it's electric organ heavy sound, and I'm also a fan of the trumpet arrangements on the songs that have them. 8.5/10.

I quite liked this, it had a good energy to it. I will probably listen to it again when I get time, and maybe on a second listen I'll vibe with some songs enough to want to save them to listen to again. But on my first pass, none especially jumped out at me in that way, which holds this at 4 stars for me

Pretty good. If I had heard this album as one of the first hundred or so albums of this project, it would have been an easy five stars. However, the shine of this style has faded some after all this time (it falls as album #879). I still think it's pretty good, so I'll hand it a generous four stars. It's still a fun sound, but not as groundbreaking as I once may have thought. Favorite track(s): "Poppies," "Brave Boys Keep Their Promises"

This is another band I've heard of but that's about it. Reading about them I found the other thing I knew-I liked some of Julian Cope's solo stuff he did later on. With that reference I felt hopeful about the album. Frustratingly for me, every song and the entire record was almost awesome. Each song had some part or parts that took away from my enjoyment enough that I ended up liking, but not loving them. I was ready to blast each one louder, only to find a disappointing musical decision that took away from that desire. The two songs that pushed through and were the closest to awesome were Thief of Baghdad and When I Dream.

I know this album a lot more than I realised. I was expecting to only recognise a few songs, and was quite surprised as to how much I did. This really gets a lot of negative reviews, and I genuinely cannot see why. It is a solid album with catchy new wave songs fully of guitar, synth, horn and organ. Yes, it is full of synths, but the album came out in 1980, so what would you expect. If the Cure had released Poppies in the field it would be heralded as a cure classic. a fantastic song. The first half of this album is excellent, and it finishes well too. Julian cope has 2 albums on this list and both are excellent. My Standout track is Poppies in the Field or Treason. 4 stars

Decent record

This is an amazing debut album by the band from Julian Cope - I know Julian Cope from World Shut your Mouth and his album St. Julian. This album is a fantastic predecessor to what might come. Fun, fast & fabulous. At times it reminds me of Simple Minds, but it keeps it quite nice and analogue. Little playing with synthesizer, the musical arrangements here are interesting and don't really bore. Julian's voice is an interesting full voice. Compared to a breathy, whiney Morrisey. Yes, this is good! If I find this somewhere, I'll probably need to add it to my collection.

The musical equivalent of an old Polaroid, slightly faded around the edges, full of happy accidents and moments that make you smile. Like a bunch of mates who decided to start a band because why not? Just good tunes and great company. Spins: 1 Playlist Additions - Sleeping Gas - Treason - When I Dream - Reward

Loved this up until the last track which was car crash. Really cool 80s synth throughout with catch lyrics and great drumming

Killer albun

Really enjoyed this ‘deeper cut’ of the new wave landscape. You can see how acts like Pulp and even the Happy Mondays were influenced by this .

If I’d known about this band/album in the 80’s, it definitely would have been one of my favorites. It’s a product of it’s time, 80’s synth-pop and new wave. I will say this is one of the worst album covers I’ve seen. Often, the only reason I bought an album from an unknown band was because of the “cool” cover. I would’ve blown past this one and never given it a second look. Maybe I did....

Catchy tunes with lots of energy.

Fun listen for sure. I'm surprised I didn't know any of these songs.

This was a very welcome surprise. It really sounded like a mid 80’s album when it wasn’t one, feels a few years ahead of its time. It’s New Wave and a bunch of other things rolled into one. Probably need some more listens on it but I already found multiple enjoyable songs on my first listen.

Is this what The Smiths and all those other terrible 80s bands were trying to sound like? This has actual good melodies with hooks, real instruments, varied sounds and structures. Good stuff.

I enjoyed this. I’ve heard of Cope but never really knew the history. I’ve listened to this band just a little but would like to hear more.

Not going to lie, I kind of dig this. Never heard of them, and nothing earth-shaking but kind of fun .

Started really strong...but really long

This was a lot of fun. Pure 80s bouncy pop joy. Will return.

I'd heard a bunch of this randomly throughout the years but I've never listened to it all the way through. "Went crazy" will end up on a bunch of playlists but I'm not sure I'll return to much else from this album. If I'd heard this before echo and the bunnymen I probably would've been obsessed

i've heard the name julian cope but never the teardrop explosion. this is a new one to me. i like it quite a bit. some good and interesting new wave. reminds me of oingo boingo sans elfman.

Very good.

Jangly post-punk and neo-psychedelic pop built on bright guitars, elastic basslines, punchy drums, and expressive, slightly theatrical vocals unfolds with constant movement and color. Listening feels like wandering through a vivid, shifting landscape where each turn reveals a new pattern or rhythm. The result is consistently interesting and engaging, maintaining momentum without losing its quirky charm.

Early 80s, sounds like the Cure with a little Police? And trumpets.

I can understand why people might be frustrated seeing this forgotten and seemingly unimportant random album on this list. But, I’m a pretty big fan of that eighties dancy synth pop sound. Give me a Tears for Fears (always with tears, these guys) soundalike, and I’m going to dig it. Now, did this rock my world and blow my mind? Not really. Although the title track was pretty entrancing and somewhat out of nowhere. Looking into the band at a deeper level, I was interested to see that this is a young Julian Cope. I’d never heard about him (probably because I’m not English) until I listened to Peggy Suicide on this list. This album and that are night and day. I can hardly believe they were made by the same guy. What an interesting character! I’m happy to have been made aware of Cope, and I’m going to do a deeper dive on his music now- which is what this project is all about!

super j’ai beaucoup aime

Never heard of them before, but I thought this was pretty great. Baffled by sub-3 and accusations of 'too much britpop' (what?) The 80s new-wave / post-punk combo works really well here. It's still obviously of its time, but the production and overall sound -- jangly guitar, stellar basslines and Cope's vocals -- are stellar.

Kilimanjaro's a perfect album to listen to on a dreary autumn day. It's moody and kind of depressing, but in a good way. I enjoy the vibe it offers, and it also proves to be musically interesting. The basslines are especially complex at certain points, which I enjoy, but the drums also stand out as well. "Treason" and "Thief of Baghdad" stood out to me, I especially liked the synths in "Thief of Baghdad". Favorite Song: "Thief of Baghdad"

Great Eighties post punk pop . Amazing bass and great sound all round. If I’m being picky, surely that’s the point of this exercise, it can be a little repetitive so not a 5

A experiência mais incomum até agora, uma banda com nome e músicas completamente desconhecidas para mim e de um período que eu também não consumo tanto. A maior surpresa foi o quanto gostei do som deles, um postpunk muito bom e com muita cara de música de rádio, acho que minha única decepção é saber que é uma coletânea, isso afeta a coesão do álbum como também desanima um pouco de ouvir os outros álbuns. Mesmo assim, experiência ótima, claramente uma banda com identidade bem marcada

This album is so aggressively 80s but in a way that ends up feeling tasteful, almost timeless. Infectious grooves, sad boy lyrics, TIGHT bass lines, and beautiful production.

This was fun and enjoyable. I should probably start writing these as I finish listening instead of the next day. I would prefer to just have the original album. The live track at the end of the spotify extended album drug on quite a bit. But all in all I would definitely give it another listen.

Decent 80s album. Wish I liked more songs as much as I like the first track. Overall pretty good though.

𝘒𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘫𝘢𝘳𝘰 is one of those post-punk records that never quite gets the recognition it deserves. It’s vibrant, slightly eccentric, and full of sharp melodic ideas, all carried by Julian Cope’s unmistakable presence. The blend of bright keyboards and tight, nervy rhythms gives the album its own buoyant, off-kilter charm. Quietly overlooked, but absolutely worth celebrating.

A good album, I liked Treason, Poppies In The Field and Books the most.

4 stars A UK new wave/post punk act I wasn’t familiar with that was pretty good. I can hear the influence they had on a lot of the Brit pop and post punk revival I grew up with. A joy to listen to. Will return.

Kult! Dansbart uten at det blir for fjollate. Perfekt lengde. Sleeping Gas e 10/10.

This is a little more interesting than much New Wave music. The pop-forward singles on Kilamenjaro were boring, nothing particularly bad, just uninteresting. It is unfortunate that it starts out like this, but it gets better and more interesting as teh album progesses. On the other hand, the more experimental, neo-psychedelic songs were quite good. On these tracks, which fortunately is the majority of them, you can hear elements of some of the best bands of the time/genre like the Psychedelic Furs, Echo and the Bunnymen, and Gang of Four. My formative music was New Wave (the weirder variety) and punk, so I’ll always be predisposed to liking music like this. I remember listening to this album many years ago, but I’d forgotten about it. This was a fun listen and calling it “brit pop” really doesn’t do it justice.

I've had Reward on my playlists for years and its a banger -although had not really listened to much else by the band. The album is enjoyable catchy new wave pop with emphasis on the pop as 6 of the 12 tracks (incl Reward) released as singles. I like Julian Cope's vocals and enjoyed the 80's synths and drumming.

The deeper into the record I get the more I like it. The wikipedia page of Julian Cope is definitely worth checking out. Always a fan of a band where the singer is also the bassist. A very interesting sound, like a less punk version of The Stranglers and a less gloomy Echo & the Bunnymen. Will be returning to this record for sure!

This was a very fun album. It's definitely post-punk, but not your typical dark, doomy, and gloomy post-punk. This album is much more psychedelic, with bright melodies, swirling keyboards, punchy basslines, horns, and hypnotic rhythms driven by motorik influences. You even get a good share of jangly guitars, which I'm always a sucker for.

Some of us just love that post-punk vibe. In fact, that stretch from punk... to post-punk... to new wave... to (what I called it in the 80's) alternative... there's some great stuff here, and I think that includes The Teardrop Explodes. This was Julian Cope's band before he was just Julian Cope. For me, this album and My Nation Underground are my favorites. I don't think they are HIS favorites, but they're mine. Probably because these combine pop sensibility with that post-punk edge. A great alternative indeed, to whatever was on the radio at this time.

Another great offering from 1980. These early 80s albums signaled a much stronger musical decade than what materialized which makes these gems so precious. I read that various releases had different track listings and song order, but the version on Apple Music is interesting in that the album builds and moves well toward the end. I was curious at the opening track and sold on the album by the end.

Not half bad!

Never heard of this band before and I listen to a lot of 80s music. It was pretty good. I was surprised. Kind of across between midnight oil and the Feelies

Reminded me a lot of Casiopea. Jazzy fusion, nice.

this was a revisit for me and i had sort of forgotten how long the second half of this album feels, although thief of baghdad is a standout for me. i do really like this album though despite that. i think it has a really unique sound to it, the guitars are great. and although i'm not the biggest fan of julian cope, i do actually like his voice for the most part. enjoyed a lot

Never heard of them before today, but this was a pretty fun and cool album!

Like this rock

Kind of all over the place, but didn’t hate it, might listen again or dive into their discography. Another interesting find

A pleasant surprise ! Great songs with the bravado of something significant

Class

Really enjoyed this! And reward is also a great song! Reminded me of the radio being on as a youngling

A fiery, eccentric post-punk gem, Kilimanjaro bursts with jagged energy and infectious hooks, though its uneven production occasionally undercuts the brilliance. Still, it’s a thrilling listen that captures the Teardrop Explodes at their most adventurous.

kinda killer

Wasn't previously familiar with The Teardrop Explodes but I had heard some of Julian Cope's other work. The album works in some cool neo-psychedelia but it doesn't overpower the album. It's really good, some cool drumming and they also incorporate a bit of jangle pop into the work as well. Enjoyed this quite a bit. 4 stars

I will refer to the original 1980 UK release and not include any bonus tracks from the 2000 CD reissue in this review. This looks to be another case of a group that proved influential for a musical movement after their time in the limelight. In this case, The Teardrop Explodes were a key band in the emerging post-punk scene in late 1970s Liverpool, bringing back psychedelic elements to British pop music. That much is evident on their debut record, Kilimanjaro. The tight percussion, the supple bass lines, the jangly guitar strums, the organs and synthesizers nestled in the back of the mix, and Julian Cope's wailing accented vocals epitomize this sound. These songs had a bounce to them as Julian rattled on with such surrealist imagery in the lyrics. Even the occasional blaring trumpets on tracks like "Ha Ha I'm Drowning" and "Went Crazy" were a welcome addition to their style. That said, this album is rather short, clocking in at barely over 37 minutes. This wouldn't be as much of an issue if most songs weren't sonically structured similarly to each other. There's a very familiar cadence with each passing composition that the feeling of repetition started kicking around "Bouncing Babies" and "Books". I'd also be remiss if I couldn't help but compare The Teardrop Explodes to their contemporaries like Echo & the Bunnymen, who proved to have a more vibrant sound. Still, I enjoyed Kilimanjaro as a solid record that would foresee the neo-psychedelia movement to come.

Kilimanjaro is a slice of early ’80s British pop/new wave that sits comfortably alongside many of its contemporaries. While it’s a solid listen, there’s nothing here that truly stands out or feels especially unique—this is very much a product of its time, sounding similar to a host of other bands from the era. That said, the band’s clear overlap with Echo & The Bunnymen—one of my all-time favourites—means this album naturally plays to my tastes. Because of that, I did enjoy it and it’s enough to make me want to explore more of The Teardrop Explodes’ catalogue. Favourite tracks: Second Head, Sleeping Gas, and Treason were all strong and memorable songs. Least favourite track: Nothing here is bad, and every track is worth a listen if you’re an indie fan. That said, if this isn’t your genre, I can see the album being a bit of a struggle. Album artwork: A standard band cover from the era—perfectly fine, but nothing particularly eye-catching.

I did not know this album, but I like it a lot

This is really enjoyable for me, giving off strong early brit-pop energy that exudes nostalgia without me ever hearing the album before. The title tracks are memorable and leave an impact, and the majority of the album flows nicely and gets my head bobbing. It is a touch too long for my liking with a couple of songs that couple have been left out, but overall it's a good listen.

funky, very eighties vibe. Nothing that really sticks though. Fun.

the german band fehlfarben formed themselves after a concert from this band. cool sounds, very new wave-ish but distinguishes itself from it. very standalone sounding. good and weird album

That was catching and bouncing and I'm glad to have finally heard the entirety of the album that I had heard the single from. I think I listen to it three times today.

I like Julian Cope, and I like good pop songs.

Amazing album for a band I've never even heard of

J’ai trouvé ça vraiment pas mal ! Un côté new wave à la depech mode / the cure…

7/10 I knew and liked Reward from an old indie club I went to that always played it, but I never explored TDE anymore than that. I didn't realise they were early 80s for a start. I really enjoyed it - it sounds like a decent mix between the crappy synth sounds of 80s pop with an actual edge.

Cool new wave with nice vocals not much to fault. 4 stars

I'd heard of Julian Cope mostly as one of those guys who like writes introductory essays for compilations of forgotten/underground rock, but I never put much thought into what his own music would sound like. Turns out, it's pretty cool!

actually pretty nice

Of-the-era cliche soundscape but unusual execution. I really liked this one but found many amazing moments but no stand out songs as a whole.

No idea who this is, but the first track is great. “Sleeping gas” is also a good track. I’m digging this. I enjoy albums that I have no clue about and then they surprise me like this. This is a great album

I’ve generally considered myself to dislike this style of 80s rock/pop. This album has me questioning that. I unexpectedly loved this.

Very solid album with scouse jaunt and a great level of camp absurdity. I include reward (which does stand out) despite it not being on the original recording. I'll be happy to revisit

Very enjoyable, a peppy sound.

Never heard of this group. But I thought this was solid. 4/5

Kind of a sleeper banger. Banger sleeper? Sleep bang. Banging Sleeping. 7/10

Interesting, but not rememberable

a nice new wave / post punk album

Kiliman Murphy

I'm very intrigued by this album. Never heard it mentioned. Never heard a song of it before. Yet this is smart, fun and energetic. I don't know if it's true but it feels like they we're enjoying recording this.

Pretty great and never heard it! Will definitely return to it, but just about a 4.5 from first listen.

Une très jolie découverte!

Pretty good. Something about this album’s vibe really connected with me. I might have to seek out more by them. What band names are more dramatic than The Teardrop Explodes? Napalm Death? Cannibal Corpse? The Wiggles?

We liked this, had a couple of really stand out tracks that we'd heard before which was a surprise.

Bombastic

Wow 1001albumgen, I wasn’t familiar with your game. This is right up my alley. Sick album, great recommendations

Waiter! Waiter! More Britpop, please! I sincerely don't know why people complain about British New Wave so much, as opposed to the countless rock albums about banging underage girls, or literally anything added to this list post-2010. This album slaps, just pure energy and passion coming from these lads. Highlights are "Sleeping Gas" and "Reward".

I can see why a lot of the reviews here complain of this being like the other tracks, but for me this is like Talking Heads meets something The Clash or The Jam. Julian's singing is competent and effectively used in each track to be part of the song writing other than a lot of the New Wave stuff where a bloke just moans over various incarnations of the same song.

fine, not high on the list to revisit.

About 15 years ago I went through a mad Synthpop phase. Funnily enough, this album didn’t feature (aside from “Reward” which is still phenomenal), but what a treat it was to listen to it in full. You can dismiss them as one trick synth-ponies, but this album actually has huge range. Total classic, loved it.

At i was like ehhhhhh Then i was like, holy shit this kinda good. I pretty much like every song off this album. Would i come back to it super regularly, probably not Still a pretty great album tho 8/10

I'm finding more and more that this genre is for me. Does this deserve to be in a list of the best albums ever? I'd say no. But I like it.

I quite like the pop incarnation of the many versions of Julian Cope, though his more esoteric versions are somehow even more interesting/crackers/fun.

Being a scouser, I'd heard of Teardrop Explodes (and all the stories that connected other Liverpool 80s bands), but never listened to them. It feels a bit dated, (I mean it's 80s new wave after all), but I quite enjoyed it!

The lyrics don't especially draw me in and I think they could use some back up vocals but the music is pretty awesome and lots of great bass lines. Very 80's!

Always cool to be pleasantly surprised by bands I’ve never heard of, and this is a good example of that. Love the British new wave/psychedelic vibes, and his commentary on the expectations of boys in society. Lots of catchy tunes and fun instrumentation here.

Fantastic. Pure 80s post-punk classic.

dreamy synthpop grounded by strong post punk basslines

## Overview *Kilimanjaro*, released in October 1980, is the debut album by The Teardrop Explodes, a Liverpool-based band at the forefront of the neo-psychedelic and post-punk movements. Led by Julian Cope, the album blends influences from krautrock, 60s garage rock, and the burgeoning new wave scene, resulting in a record that is both idiosyncratic and influential. This review will analyze the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and legacy, as well as provide a balanced assessment of its strengths and weaknesses[1][2][3]. ## Lyrics **Obliqueness and Surrealism** Julian Cope’s lyrics on *Kilimanjaro* are celebrated for their obliqueness and surreal, almost stream-of-consciousness delivery. From the opening line “Oh use your common sense!” to cryptic phrases like “Come and diffuse me before I kill someone” and “it’s just like a cartoon by A.A.P.”, Cope’s writing is deliberately indirect, keeping listeners guessing at meaning while drawing them into a dizzying, dreamlike world[4]. This approach aligns with the psychedelic tradition, where literal meaning is often sacrificed for mood, imagery, and emotional resonance. **Thematic Range** The album’s lyrics explore a variety of themes, often centered on emotional struggle, alienation, and the search for meaning: - “Ha Ha I’m Drowning” addresses a toxic relationship, using water as a metaphor for emotional suffocation[1]. - “Sleeping Gas” critiques apathy and the sense of sleepwalking through life, with aspirations and hopes abandoned[1]. - “Treason” deals with resistance to change and the pain of adaptation[1]. - “Went Crazy” narrates a descent into mental illness and the struggle for recovery[1]. - “Brave Boys Keep Their Promises” is more upbeat, focusing on perseverance and determination[1]. - “Poppies in the Field” hints at the trauma of war and its impact on personal identity[1]. Despite their sometimes opaque nature, the lyrics consistently evoke a sense of searching, confusion, and the tension between hope and despair. **Pros:** - Inventive, poetic, and evocative language. - Successfully conjures a psychedelic, surreal atmosphere. - Wide thematic range, from personal to socio-political. **Cons:** - Obliqueness can alienate listeners seeking direct narrative or clarity. - At times, the wordiness can feel overwrought or self-indulgent[5]. ## Music **Stylistic Fusion** Musically, *Kilimanjaro* is a melting pot of styles: - **Krautrock Influence:** Tracks like “Sleeping Gas” lock into hypnotic grooves, borrowing the motorik rhythms and repetition of krautrock but infusing them with vocals and pop sensibility[3]. - **Neo-Psychedelia:** The album’s swirling keys, shimmering guitars, and surreal arrangements place it firmly in the neo-psychedelic camp[1][4]. - **Post-Punk Urgency:** The rhythm section—Julian Cope’s bass and Gary Dwyer’s drums—delivers a taut, driving energy that keeps the songs propulsive and immediate[3][4]. - **Pop Hooks:** Despite their experimental leanings, The Teardrop Explodes had a knack for catchy melodies and memorable choruses, as heard in singles like “Reward” and “Treason”[2][5]. **Instrumentation** A distinctive feature of the album is its use of horns and keyboards: - **Horns:** Trumpeters Ray Martinez and Hurricane Smith provide martial, stiff fanfares rather than the soulful, swinging brass of contemporaries like The Specials or Dexys Midnight Runners. This gives the music a unique, almost militaristic edge[2][5]. - **Keyboards:** David Balfe’s keyboards are prominent throughout, sometimes overshadowing the guitar. The synths and organ lines add both texture and a sense of unease, enhancing the album’s psychedelic feel[4][5]. **Song Highlights** - “Ha Ha I’m Drowning”: Notable for its driving horns and a 40-second drum break that propels the song to a frenetic climax[3]. - “Treason”: Anthemic, with a beguiling melody and infectious hook[5]. - “Thief of Bagdad” and “When I Dream”: Exemplify the band’s ability to craft lush, dreamy psych-pop love songs[5]. - “Books”: A minimalist, bouncy reworking of an early Julian Cope song, also recorded by Echo & the Bunnymen[1][4]. **Pros:** - Innovative fusion of genres, creating a sound that was fresh and distinctive in 1980. - Strong rhythm section and memorable hooks. - Effective use of horns and keyboards to set the band apart from peers. **Cons:** - Some may find the horn and keyboard arrangements “too 80s” or overly busy[4]. - The production sometimes buries the guitar, reducing the overall sonic punch[4]. ## Production **Creative Tension** The production of *Kilimanjaro* was marked by internal band conflict and creative tension. David Balfe (keyboardist and co-producer) and Bill Drummond (Zoo Records co-founder) shaped the album’s sound, but not without friction. Guitarist Mick Finkler was replaced by Alan Gill during recording, and the sessions were reportedly fueled by heavy drug use, adding to the chaos[2]. This turbulence is reflected in the album’s restless, sometimes uneven energy. **Sound and Mixing** - The album is characterized by a “trebly” guitar sound, sweeping synthetic strings, and prominent brass, all mixed to create a dense, sometimes unsettling soundscape[5]. - The production often foregrounds the rhythm section and keyboards, with guitars taking a more supportive role[4]. - The remastered editions, especially the deluxe 3-disc version, have been praised for their improved clarity and inclusion of essential B-sides and session tracks[1][4]. **Pros:** - Bold, adventurous production choices contribute to the album’s unique character. - The remastered editions enhance the listening experience and provide valuable historical context. **Cons:** - The mix can feel cluttered, with some instruments (especially guitar) getting lost. - The “80s” production aesthetic may not appeal to all listeners[4]. ## Themes **Psychedelia and Alienation** Thematically, *Kilimanjaro* is an exploration of altered states—emotional, psychological, and social. The album’s psychedelic veneer is not just a musical style but a reflection of the band’s search for meaning amidst chaos and confusion: - The lyrics frequently reference transformation, disorientation, and the struggle to find identity (“Second Head”, “Went Crazy”)[1]. - There is a persistent sense of alienation and longing, whether for love, understanding, or escape (“Books”, “Thief of Bagdad”, “When I Dream”)[1][5]. - The martial horns and tribal rhythms evoke both triumph and paranoia, mirroring the band’s own internal strife and the broader anxieties of the post-punk era[2]. **Pop vs. Experimentation** A central tension in the album is between pop accessibility and experimental ambition. The Teardrop Explodes wanted to be trippy and hypnotic, but their innate gift for melody and hooks kept pulling them toward pop, resulting in a sound that was both innovative and approachable[2]. **Pros:** - Successfully captures the mood of its time—restless, searching, and slightly unhinged. - Balances introspection with moments of exuberance and joy. **Cons:** - The thematic ambiguity may frustrate listeners seeking clear messages. - The album’s mood can feel inconsistent, swinging between euphoria and paranoia. ## Influence **Immediate Impact** *Kilimanjaro* was a critical and commercial success in the UK, spawning hit singles like “Reward” and earning a place in Q magazine’s “100 Greatest British Albums Ever”[1]. The album’s blend of post-punk energy, psychedelic textures, and pop hooks influenced a wave of bands in the early 1980s, particularly in the Liverpool scene. **Legacy** - The Teardrop Explodes, alongside Echo & the Bunnymen, helped define the neo-psychedelic sound that would be picked up by later acts. - Their use of horns and keyboards set a precedent for other new wave and indie bands, though few matched their unique blend of styles[2]. - Julian Cope’s later solo work and writings have kept the band’s legacy alive, and the expanded reissues have introduced *Kilimanjaro* to new generations of listeners[1][4]. **Pros:** - Highly influential within the post-punk and neo-psychedelic genres. - Continues to be celebrated for its originality and daring. **Cons:** - Its impact was somewhat limited outside the UK at the time of release[4]. - The band’s internal instability prevented them from building on the album’s success in a sustained way[2]. ## Pros and Cons Summary | Pros | Cons | |------|------| | Inventive, poetic lyrics | Oblique, sometimes alienating lyricism | | Unique fusion of krautrock, psychedelia, and pop | “80s” production may date the sound | | Strong rhythm section and memorable hooks | Cluttered mix, guitar sometimes buried | | Distinctive use of horns and keyboards | Thematic and mood inconsistency | | Highly influential within its genre | Limited initial impact outside the UK | | Remastered editions add value | Internal band chaos affects cohesion | ## Conclusion *Kilimanjaro* by The Teardrop Explodes remains a landmark album in the post-punk and neo-psychedelic canon. Its blend of surreal lyricism, hypnotic grooves, martial horns, and pop hooks creates a sound that is both of its time and enduringly fresh. The album’s strengths lie in its inventiveness, energy, and willingness to embrace chaos, both musically and thematically. Its weaknesses—occasional lyrical opacity, production clutter, and inconsistency—are byproducts of the same restless creativity that makes it compelling. For listeners interested in the crossroads of post-punk, psychedelia, and pop, *Kilimanjaro* is essential listening: a snapshot of a band teetering on the edge of brilliance and breakdown, and a testament to the enduring power of musical risk-taking.

Chillig

Already know Reward and Treason from this album. Alt rock with post punk influences from early 80s. Also some experimental instrumentation (synth brass and organish). Some similarities with The Cure (guitar line on Poppies) When I Dream has a nice synth line Strange House in the Snow has a nice creepy industrial feel Solid album overall - 4 stars Best track (not Treason or Reward) - Went Crazy or Books or When I Dream or Strange House in the Snow

Another day, another BritPop band I've never heard of. Throw enough of them at me and I'm bound to like some, right? Well, yeah, in this case I did kind of like it. This one seems to have pre-dated the Smiths, but that's what it reminded me of. Not amazing, but I'll give it another go one day and include the bonus tracks.

7.5/10 Very good. This reeks of musical class, then I saw who is involved. No wonder it’s a quality production. Really nice post-punk-pop driven by fantastic bass and drums. Really enjoyed Cope’s vocals too. Best: Reward

Liverpoolidan

4/5. Labai įdomus klausimas. Labia sava atrodo, gal ir girdėta n kartų, bet lyg taip ir turėtų būti.

An interesting album. I'm not familiar with the band or the album. The sound reminds me of early The Cure. The album was fun. It's quite possible that I'll listen to it more often. 4/5

Pretty good. Not the best genre but I enjoyed the music.

Nice fun 80s post punk very cool

pretty decent record. really adjacent to a lot of music that i like from that era. it's kinda psychedelic, kinda college-rock-y. it's pretty fun. my only two gripes are that the production is not great, even for a record of the time. it feels kinda flat at points. also although i enjoyed the record, there's not a lot on it that really stood out to me as truly great. a lot of good, but nothing that pushes it to the upper eschelon to me. still, it was a fun listen!

Listened before Favourite tracks: Sleeping Gas, Bouncing Babies, Books, When I Dream

Nie wiem czy to demencja czy już wymyślam coś, żeby tu pisać, ale wydawało mi się, że słyszałem vibe rocka z przełomu lat 80/90 z Polski. I zastanawiam się czy to inspiracja czy coś, kto wie może któregoś dnia poznam odpowiedź... album spoczko btw.

I am a bit surprised of how much I like this! I was expecting some drugged out mumble stuff but this is quite a beautiful and interesting album. They have a bit too much of an ironic distance for my taste but I will keep this album in mind for later.

I was 14 when this came out. I was into the mod/ska scene so , although I liked this , it didn't fit in with the crowd I hung with so I didn't have it in my collection. Listening to it now it's a top album of its time and still holds up.

I've never heard of The Teardrop Explodes, but I tend to like post-punk music from this era, so I have decently high hopes for this album. I reviewed The Birthday Party's Junkyard earlier this week, and I'm currently reading Simon Reynolds's Rip It Up And Start Again, so I'm getting my fill of post-punk lately. Time to scale Kilimanjaro! I thought Kilimanjaro was really great. It’s easily one of the most unique and distinct post-punk albums I’ve listened to before. The synthesizer created horns were really awesome; they were the perfect touch to give this album a really cavernous atmosphere. One of the things I really love about Echo and The Bunnymen’s Ocean Rain is the cavernous atmosphere on the album, and while Echo and The Bunnymen achieve that sound with guitars, The Teardrop Explodes manages to create it with their horn sounds. In addition to the horn-synths, the organ playing on this album was really good too. It felt to me like the band wove some new wave influences into their sound, while still keeping Kilimanjaro’s distinctly post-punk feel. I really enjoyed Julian Cope’s vocals too (I’ve heard of him before, but I have no idea where I’ve his name come up). I don’t think I have a favorite song on this album, and there really weren’t any songs that I disliked either. While I thought this was a great album, it’s not five stars for me. I guess the reason that none of these songs stick out me is that they’re not really that easily discernable from each other after only a couple of listens. Still, this is a really solid album, and I’m glad I got to listen to it today.

Hard one to rate, because there's some really killer tunes here and I like the overall sound of the album, but there was also so much that don't at all stand out. Either a low 4 or high 3 on this one. Bassist is incredible especially on 'Went Crazy" he just went OFF on that one

3.5 stars. High energy 80's post-punk. Better than a lot of what similar genres bring. Only dud was "Strange House In the Snow". Standouts were "When I Dream" and "Brave Boys Keep Their Promises".

Gaaf, maar ook af en toe wat lastig luisterbaar. Gaat nog wel eens op

I've always liked this band (and Julian Cope's solo work) but they've completely slipped off the radar. its a shame, since they were always a solid band, even if largely unremarkable. I'm giving them 4 stars partly out of nostalgia (its probably a 3.5).

Not familiar with this band -- not sure if they made it across the ocean. Enjoyable post-punk new wave. Reminds me a lot of the English Beat. although less Ska/Reggae influenced.

Jaime 4, Nuria 3. Este día decidimos hacer una playlist de las favoritas de cada álbum, ya revisaremos los anteriores.

Great bass, drums, and keys! Love it.

Eh, not so bad. After reading that The Teardrop Explodes was one of the initial bands fronted by Julian Cope, I was about to dismiss this album as yet another unfocused and self-indulgent effort routinely released by an artist whose music erudition I respect, but whose later solo output generally leaves me cold or nonplussed. Yet I have to admit that the second-hand version of XTC I'm hearing there -- also featuring touches of krautrock, eighties psychedelia, (mock-?) disco, and Madness-adjacent shenanigans -- is quite fun, and sometimes even pretty catchy, as second-hand as it is. Sure, the supposed psychedelia flavors are a little exaggerated (as they often were in those glossy, quote unquote "postpunk" years -- it's just some reversed-recorded guitar parts, or eastern / oriental scales, used once in a while). And the (fortunately rare) synthetic-sounding horns didn't age very well. Yet cuts such as opener "Ha Ha, I'm Drowning", the lively "Treason" (with its memorable, tight, moving chorus) or the multilayered groove of "Poppies" display some contagious songwriting and arrangement energy I didn't know Cope was capable of. Also worthy of note, "Books", covered not long after by Echo And The Bunnymen, those simple yet driven tom drums on "Bouncing Babies", or the interlaced vocals, guitars and ominous synths towards the end of closer "When I Dream". Side two admittedly loses part of the album's momentum at times, but it's nothing aggravating in the long run. And there is a distinctive nightly mood to those tracks, which is why I prefer the original cover artwork showing the band in shadows to the artsier one more in keeping with the name of the album. As for the bonus tracks, I found the one-off single "Reward" -- supposedly The Teardrops Explodes's most popular single according to Spotify numbers -- a little heavy-handed and hackneyed, oddly enough. But the moodier and far more experimental cuts after said single *do* offer an interesting change of pace. So for once, late additions on CD versions do bring something interesting on the table. This record (whether the original version or the more recent "expanded" one) might not reach the exact heights of the Kilimanjaro, sure. But it still comes very close. Not so bad, as I've said earlier. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 3.5) Number of albums left to review: around thirty or twenty, as I've gone over the 1000 line and this generator is including albums from all editions of the book. Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 461 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 276 (including this one) Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 334

I liked this quite a bit. Julian Cope is a bit of a legend, but the music itself was fun and catchy.

Psychedelic rock, I love you

80s music isn’t totally my vibe, but I do appreciate the genre. The vocals sound so classic late 70s/80s and while the music isn’t my favorite, I can respect the melodies throughout. Fave Song: Poppies Least Fave Song: When I Dream; Strange House in the Snow Rating: 4/5

I hadn’t heard of this band prior to this, but Kilimanjaro is a great album with a great sound. More psychedelic than other punk releases of this time.

Fast paced early Indy pop. Still sounds good to this day

Full disclosure: I had never heard of this band, let alonevthis album. I reserve the right to modify my thoughts as I put this piece of amazing (I love it) album power pop, rock, ska, punk, glam rock, new/dark wave, synth pop, disco, psychedelia into my head more times. So much influence here, seemingly disparate lineages. It's beautifully all over the place. Rhythm section is stellar. Lead and background vocals are phenomenally interesting (complimentary). I will put this in regular rotation.

This one started out pretty fwompy for me, but over its runtime it really won me over. By the time the title track came on I was completely primed and ready to go. I'm really into Second Head and Poppies in the Field. The bassline on Second Head reminds me a bit of a Les Claypool song, though I don't know the name. Something about the loping bass and vaguely surf-rock sounding guitar on Poppies in the Field just works for me -- feels like a spacier Police. When I Dream is a solid song. Distinctly 80s in tone, but in the best of ways. Love the bright synths poking through during the chorus. Kilimanjaro is a wonky UK psychedelic post-punk jam. The drum thumps remind me a lot of Joy Division, but the atmosphere itself is more dusty and sci-fi (for lack of a better characterization) owing to the persistent synth line. Kind of wild that this track didn't even make the original release... Strange House in the Snow is kind of wild sounding with the scratchy violin(?) that sounds animalistic. I'm a very soft 4 here. Honestly not something I would have expected to enjoy as much as I did.

Really liking the first couple songs, then it starts to get into 80's cheese with Treason. Now really liking Second Head. The bass is awesome. Guitar work on the beginning of Poppies reminds me of some Tomorrow Never Knows with that looping. Title track reminds me of a LCD song can't put my finger on it. But I dig the use of the drums. This album had its ups and downs but kept me pretty intrigued throughout. Between a 3/4 here but I'll bump it up for its psychedelia

So good, mix of early 80s rock, and phsychadelic stuff, some also quite experimental song structures, but it works well. Favourite songs: first 5, brave boys keep their promises, thief of Baghdad, use me. Overall around 8/10

I had no expectations for this since I remember not really liking Julian Cope’s stuff. Surprised that this was tons of fun! Really enjoyed it.

They sound very Talking Heads/Depeche Mode to me. I enjoyed it and would listen again, but it was kinda just background music and didn't blow my mind. Four stars

Ha Ha I’m Drowning // Sleeping Gas // Treason // Thief of Baghdad //

After listening to this I am honestly surprised I wasn’t into these guys when I was at university- that morbid post punk sound was absolutely my bag. Maybe if I’d ever been to Liverpool. We’ve listened to a fair amount of punk while doing this project, and it has all seemed quite London-centric, so it’s been fun looking into post-punk a bit more and seeing it’s much more northern. Less screaming, more ennui. I can only really understand this album through what I think its influences might be, and who it’s clearly influenced. 1980 is pre-Smiths, and before the Cure got big, and the same as Echo and the Bunnymen, who are also from Liverpool! The more you know. Not just the Beatles. Went Crazy is very Smiths until the slightly ska trumpets come in, which- Morrissey could never (apart from in that weird early Frankly Mrs Shankly demo). Poppies particularly reminded me of the Horrors, which is funny- I think the Teardrop Explodes must have been a big influence on Primary Colours. Bouncing Babies sounds like House of the Rising Sun, with the ominous organ. I think Thief of Baghdad might be my favourite. There isn’t Morrissey’s amazing lyricism, or the Cure’s romanticism, so all in all I guess I’m not surprised that the Teardrop Explodes hasn’t gone down in the books like those guys, but I really enjoyed listening to this- we’ve heard a few albums doing this that put a lot of the music I love into context, and this absolutely does that- I think they’re a lesser band of a movement I thought was unbelievably cool as a teenager, and I probably would’ve been cooler if I’d been listening to them instead of the bands they inspired. One to show the kids! 4 because despite none of the songs being absolute bangers, I enjoyed myself thoroughly.

If I ever find myself in the mood to listen to the Clash and the Talking Heads simultaneously, I would reach for this again.

Silly pop that works.

I enjoyed this listen and fun to see that Julian Cope (another pleasant surprise) was involved here.

Fine album.

Wow absolutely ace! I liked their singles when they came out boy somehow never got round to listening to the whole album, did I miss out?!

I was definitely worried about listening to this album. A band I've never heard of, a whole album of tracks I've never heard. I shouldn't have been. I think the only problem with listening to Acid Rock is that I wasn't on acid during my listen, but I enjoyed it all the same. It reminds me a lot of later sludge and doom metal. It took me a couple of tracks to get into the groove, but by the time Kilmanjaro started I was fully invested. I've actually listened to Kilmanjaro a few times now. My only regret is that I didn't listen to it on Dec 22nd, so that I could feel that live experience on the last track that much more.

I really liked this one. Reminded me a lot of the Jam

80’s is great to have around

Brilliant record!

Quite a cheerful vibe

I could be flippant and say that listening to this sounded like listening to a comp of lost early tracks by U2, The Police, The Smiths, Tears for Fears and, maybe, the Banshees minus Siouxsie? -or- I could be earnest and talk about how this was a really interesting listen that lies at the intersection and the origin point for a lot of music I really enjoy (and some which I don't), with 70s-holdover organ and little post punk influences and a singer who can somehow do Sting, Bono and Morrissey. Either way this is a strong 3.5. Listened twice to most of the tracks on the album.

Found this much more enjoyable than I thought I would. It's British as hell but it works and I was nodding along to most songs. Really had to lookup if Outkast sampled Use Me in their song Rosa Parks. Definitely a good early 80s new wave/David Byrne-esque sounding album. 7/10 (3.5/5)

XTC found a friend!!! This shit bangs, do think the songwriting isn’t as strong but this is like windmill-esque aligned with XTC. If that makes sense.

I honestly can't get enough of New Wave style music, so I loved this album front to back. My favorite song was actually Traison (C'est juste une histoire) but I also really enjoyed Went Crazy and When I Dream. I could listen to this kind of stuff all day.

Well, I'm always going to be well-disposed to UK post-punk / New Wave stuff. Add in the illusive, eccentric influence of Julian Cope and and you've hit paydirt. Lots of great stuff here, and as a bonus you get some of that rubbery 1980s bass guitar. A bit of filler, but all of a piece, so it hangs together nicely. Another chance for me suggest you go read Julian Cope's autobiographical works as a matter of urgency.

These guys were a hit song away on this album from stardom forever, I truly believe that. Great album opener, very fun album closer. What is it about these guys? Is it spunk? Panache? Rhythm? Whatever it is, they’ve got it. A refreshing hidden gem. Sneaky good

Short melodic trippy at times

Very good albu

Really really good The closing track is the highlight 'When I Dream'. The rest is great but that song just is on another level Wasn't expecting to love it but I do Fooooooour

im sure this is not the only band to try and answer the question "what if post-punk was Fun and Bouncy and Colorful" but its a good question for anyone to ask tbh. some blindingly bright synth horns on here, and a big dash of thrillingly expensive-sounding creativity generally. feels like an unassuming band was just given the chance to go wild in a super decked out studio...not that ur necessarily getting a lot of crazy studio tricks or whatever but just a bigger canvas thru which to channel the songs they always Wanted to play had they only had the resources. very fun!!!!!!!!!!!!

One of those pleasant surprises that pop up every once in a while on this list. Some cool sounds. I hear Talking Heads, Police, Echo & the Bunnymen. Tough to have your own sound and not have all your tracks sound the same, and I think they accomplish that here.

Pretty good album, much better than usual 80s pop/rock. Songs are flowing nicely, nice soundtrack if you're not too invested in it. But probably too ordinary to make note of it.

Kinda just sounds like by the books 80s post-punk, but the hooks are there. Also, did not know that Julian Cope was in this band until now. 3.5/5

Very much enjoyed this. Wasn’t expecting that at all. 4.0

The Teardrop Explodes is a terrible name for a band. It’s so bad that I first thought the name of the band must be Kilimanjaro and that the album was called “The Teardrop Explodes.” No. I was wrong. What a bad band name. Thankfully the quality of the name didn’t reflect the quality of the music. I accidentally caught a glimpse of the average score for this album, and I honestly don’t understand it. I mean it wasn’t great by any means, but to be rated under 3 stars felt crazy to me. This felt like a New Wavey, post-punk romp, complete with horns. Horns!! I’m a sucker for horns, always have been. I liked this enough that I actually listened to the entire remastered version, bonus tracks and all. I never do that. But this was so listenable and fun that I was here for it. I don’t get the hate, I really don’t. I definitely am becoming a little jaded by all the Britpop on this list. It’s a clear sign that the author is British and includes a lot of bands from Britain because that’s what was popular there. Which is unfortunate. Do I think that this album belongs on the list? Maybe. I haven’t heard the entire list. It probably wouldn’t make the cut today. But is it good? Yes. And I give it four stars. Almost defiantly. Standout Tracks: Ha Ha I’m Drowning, Sleeping Gas, Second Head, Poppies, Went Crazy (Reward, bonus track; doesn’t really count)

was isch kili und wiso essed sies? ha ha I'm drowning isch so en funny titel hahahah und au cool also lied sleeping gas isch easy abwr iwie uf dere liste haltcute scho paarmal ghört dito für treason und second hand aber cooli bassline bi 2nd hsnd poppies findi swhr cute jz echli meh sinthi, cool books coole ahfang!! ohh ich lieb thief of bagdad!! when I dream ener langwilig und viiil z lang grundsätzlich find ichs echt na cool, aber ebe - scho so hüfig ähnlichs ghört und bin glaub weg dem hüfig abglenkt gsi trz girs es 4i

I was not excited when I saw Julian Cope's name attached to this album... but this is good! It mixes new wave with psychedelic pop in interesting ways while staying anchored by strong melodies. The horns can be a little much but I really enjoyed it. Best song: Treason

Remembering that in Head On, Cope describes the herculean amounts of LSD the band were on for this recording, and how they often used to arrive at the studio riding imaginary horses. Just can't work out whether it's because of that or despite that, that the album sounds so good.

Very good

New one for me! Pretty banging!

This is good music. Some songs went on a bit long, but otherwise Kilimanjaro was catchy, energetic, interesting and dramatic

Decent enough. A little long for its own good, but I enjoyed it.

nice

Interesting, quite jolly

i really liked some of the instruments. i don’t like the style of singing that shows up in a lot of 70s/80s music but without the singing this is probably something i’d listen to consistently. i didn’t get through the whole album though cause of time

4.0

Eighties New Wave album with heavy Bass lead. Never really directly listened to any Julian Cope stuff, but he has had his fingers in many pies. Solid work but tends to stray into Psychedelia for some extended bits.

pretty fun album, didn’t get a chance to listen to the whole thing.

This was a fun album for me.

Enjoyed this. Songs were upbeat and very 80s 4 ⭐️

Reminded me a lot of Echo & the Bunnymen, and lo-and-behold, they originally had members from that band in their lineup. Overall I dig this era and sound coming out of Britain/Liverpool.

The cover of this album shows the band and they could easily fit in with the 2020's indie rock scene. I can't decide if this album bleeds into the background because this is the type of sound I have heard a few times in my life (and in this project) or the music is good enough to where I just enjoy it. The horns set them apart, because you don't hear a lot of this Echo and Bunnymen post-punk sound with horns this prominent. I found myself enjoying this album and I see it hasn't gotten great ratings from other listeners, which I do understand. This is the kind of music that is down my alley. Post-punk with keyboards and the Echo and the Bunnymen kind of sound.

What a pleasant surprise! I thought this was going to be more paint by the numbers britpop, but it has a really fun sound. Loved the horns. Felt like shades of Echo & The Bunnymen.

The Teardrop Explodes is one of those bands which I liked but which never made it into my record collection at the time (youthful financial limitations). Somewhere along the line I acquired a copy of this LP on vinyl. It's a record I do like especially the overall feeling and Cope's vocals. There are some storming tracks here, especially Treason and Reward. As an aside, Julian Cope's enthusiasm for German and Japanese alt rock of the 1970s has opened the way to fresh music pastures for me over the years.

Thought this was great, it is a long record and a little trimming here and there wouldnt go amiss, but it’s a great post-punk/new wave record. I was convinced they were like triphop band so I was quite suprised to be reminded more of maybe Echo and the Bunneymen or Orange Juice. (Just found out one of them went on to form EatBM and another produced a Smiths record, so that makes sense!). Will definitely be back to this, a strong 4.5

Another Liverpool fan band I've never heard of! Kind of a cross between talking headsy art pop and 80s synth pop with a bit of ska thrown in. It was pretty good, obviously leans on TH a lot but there were some enjoyable songs. I'm not sure if ever listen to this over talking heads mind, and I think the ways in which it deviates from their sound are the bits I'm not as keen on. Still, would listen again.

I am ashamed to admit I have never heard of this band before. I'm glad it was on the list, because I DIG it! I will now scold my sister for not introducing me to this band when I was younger. When I Dream had me in a trance, and Reward shot me out of a cannon. I love the horns. Great album that will get more plays from me in the future.

I had no expectations coming into this album but left feeling satisfied. The music is easy to listen to and doesn't come off overly repetitive. I thought the back end started to drag a bit but the first half of the album was super solid and a joy.

like it a lot, tears for baghdat famous song

They have a sound similar to like Depeche Mode or new wave/post-punk bands of the era. The riffs and grooves on Second Head, Poppies, and Sleeping Gas are on point. Really enjoyable.

Excellent new wave / post-punk. They sound like early U2. I love that all the songs have high energy. And a lot of them have horns too! The mood is generally overcast and gothic but the gloom doesn't seep completely into the music. There are a lot of singalong moments and pop hooks.

Pleasantly surprised by this. Reward was and still is an epic track. I had heard one of the other tracks from this album at the time and thought what a load of cr@p. But listening to the whole album there are a lot of incredibly good tracks. Treason works so well in both languages. They are described as a psychedelic rock band. Not sure I would quite go that far but there were certainly some serious psychedelic influences, especially Hawkwind. And definitely an album that will be on my buying radar. A lowish 4 for me.

An excellent debut by Julian Cope and Co. Great psychedelic New Wave. Its a nice happy jump around stuff! 'Sleeping Gas','Treason', 'Bouncing Babies' and 'Reward' are real quality, the rest are excellent too. A mid 4.

Awesome new wave album.

This was a good listen. I'd put it on again.

Didn't know anything about this band, or any of these songs. But I liked what I heard. I'll listen to this one again and was glad to be introduced to something new.

I had never heard of them, but I liked this one. New wave but not aggressively so, worked for me.

I like this, I already knew Reward (not officially in the album, but included on the re-issues) and Treason. Like a poppier Echo and the Bunnymen. I enjoyed the music, bouncy bass lines and Julian Cope’s voice is quite pleasant, no snarling punk timelessness.

I really liked a couple of the songs.

This is an intriguing album, being the first time I've heard it or the group - but I was peripherally aware of Juliian Cope with his later solo hit World Shut Your Mouth. Intriguing because at the same time of it being new to me, it sounds so familiar with sounds that I would embrace just a year or 2 later in the age of MTV and all the new wave sounds that I picked up from there. It's like it was a signpost of things to come in British pop. It's a very post-punk oriented rock album that was starting to introduce some synthesizers Favorites are Treason, When I Dream, and Reward.

Might need to listen again

Good album

I wasn’t sure on the first listen, but this album really grew on me. It’s a bit heavy on the synths for my taste - more new wave than post punk, but there is something about it that has made me come back and listen multiple times over the last few days. Not sure I can place exactly why I like it, but I do. Highlights: Ha Ha I’m Drowning, Sleeping Gas, Second Head, When I Dream.

This is an underappreciated album (by me) from my favorite time and place in music (GB late 70's - early 80's). I only have the one album from the band and I rarely listen to it. My loss. This was an enjoyable listen and I didn't find a weak track. The use of horns was novel for this type of music and they added to my enjoyment of the album. I enjoyed it enough to explore other albums in the catalog. 4 stars

# Playlist track - Treason # Notes - Never heard of them. - Right of the bat, this is incredibly 80s. - It drags along too long. But it's fun and interesting. - Worth revisiting in the future.

all in all, Kilimanjaro is, and will continue to be, a timeless classic. it’s a seminal work in the alternative music canon; it’s beautiful - i love it. anything less than an 8/10 for this album is disrespectful. it’s fun, and really what the 80s were about ! i definitely recommend this album :)

There's so much soul throughout this album. The horn section is STONKING throughout. Yet there remains a dark, early 80's mystique. You can almost feel the weight of the trench coats as you listen. I had no idea that PWEI sampled When I Dream. A fantastic album

80' Rock (like New Adventures...) driving beat, Hammond organ, good clear lead voice

Fun, funky, upbeat British 80s pop. Music was well mixed and a good time to listen to, vocals were great, honestly I'm surprised they aren't better know (at least by me, never heard of them before).

7.4

I liked it, not loved it but the music and lyrics were rich and full and I enjoyed most of the rhythms. I would've given it 5 stars but after 1/2 of the album it started feeling repetitive.

I love 80's music, but i've never listened to this british band before and for what i listen in this album they were a really talented band, specially with that new wave style. The riffs and synths here are really cool!! Of course some songs are better then others, my favorites were "Poppies" and "Thief Of Baghdad". I personally noticed something that maybe it's an illusion of mine that is not very important but in some songs the voice of Julian Cope sounded a bit like David Bowie.

Really dig this

These guys are reading my mail. Clearly, based on what he has to say in “Treason,” that he was involved with Erin’s long-lost English cousin. Big middle-finger energy. “ you’ve got to be wary of people with knives in their back.” Amen, brother. What I find really striking is it these songs predated the cures big hits by seven years “Pictures of You” and “Lovesong” by nine. The Dwyer Brothers may have been dysfunctional or fucks if they were good at the whole music thing and I just feel like Robert Smith must’ve been hanging out with them and they were figuring out their corner of the zeitgeist together and/but when Teardrop continued to be just incapable to get their shit together year after year he was like fuck it man, it’s my sound now. I have so much to say about Rob Smith and the cure but I suppose I’ll save it for when one of their albums comes up because one has got to at some point.

Very good! Sort of punk, sort of psychedelic, sort of A Flock Of Seagulls, often high energy. A couple of misses on the album tracks, but the singles deserve repeated listens.

Really solid stuff

Great album from the early days of the synth-goth movement. Shockingly excellent front half, but marred by a back half that was fairly inconsistent for me. Overall great listen though. Reminded me a lot of another great Liverpool band, Echo & The Bunnymen. Top tracks: Ha Ha I’m Drowning, Sleeping Gas, Second Head, Poppies, Books, When I Dream

Really fun. Love the vibe and the singer is really fun. 80s schlock at its best

Vastly underrated. There's a drive and edginess that showed just how serious new wave bands could be. The textures are intriguing – keys and horns embroidering the tense and steady drumming and jangly-esque guitars. A high level of quality throughout can't hide the lack of a pure hit, until the last song (which goes on a bit too long to be an actual hit.) A bit of '80s synth work crosses the "dated vs. timeless" line. But one hears lots that later bands would steal – the dreaded curse of influence. Cope deserved more.

Never heard anything from them. Songs like Sleeping Gas clearly influenced Blur greatly

Pretty Standard 80's britpop.

This is not Kilimanjaro by The Rippingtons & Russ Freeman (although the album cover looks pretty cool, albeit very mid to late 80s). 🙄 What's cooler is the debut album from the awesomely named Teardrop Explodes; who unveil, in eleven taut tracks, what could have been had things not gone completely off the rails by megalomania and utter chaos. Whether it's four men staring at you in varying degrees of lucidity or just a pack of zebras roaming in actual Kilimanjaro, one is subsumed in the kinds of ambition that was possible in the late stage of post-punk/early early synthpop. Favorites: Ha Ha I'm Drowning, Sleeping Gas, Treason, Poppies in the Field, Went Crazy, Bouncing Babies, Books, When I Dream.

Excellent example of the genre

Het tempo zit er op een goede manier in, het album behoudt de aandacht Zou het nog wel 4 sterren geven

One of the most drug-addled albums that drug addicts created.

I feel like we have heard this all before. Even so, much had a catchy sound…I just don’t know that an album of this stuff can ever really keep my full attention.

I was pretty unimpressed at first but about half-way through started warming up to it significantly.

This was certainly at the forefront of that 80s sound. Catchy and pretty fun to listen to.

Finnst eins og ég hafi heyrt margoft í þessari hljómsveit en held samt að ég hafi aldrei gert það. Rúllar bara fínt og kann ágætlega við þessa tónlist.

Surprised by how much I liked this! Really grew on me. Great tunes for driving.

Pretty solid, poppy post-punk. Reminds me a lot of The Chameleons.

Pretty fun. Kinda like a weird british pop punk album with 80’s vibes. Went Crazy got a 👍. 3.5 stars but will round up this time.

A SOLID piece of English rock. Sounding like a lot of what’s to come in the coming decade while decidedly being a great rock record. Every song sounds like it’s made by the same group of musicians but also features its own flare. A tough task.

This album is better than it has any right to be.

Another band I discovered early thanks to John Peel. I still have my 7" copy of When I Dream.

Very good album of course that I had not listened to for many years. Close to 5 star, but not in same league as other bands from that time, such as Echo & The Bunnymen. score: 8/10.

Britpop? Ahahaha, who calls this britpop? Madness. Oh yeah, Madness, I guess they're britpop too, they're British and they made pop after all. Anyway, never heard this although I love Reward of course, and whatever I have heard of Julian Cope's output. Terrific new wave record. Pretty clear that the Inspirals listened to and loved this too. Britpop? Get out of here.

All sounds a bit like 'Reward', but that's a good thing.

This one came out of nowhere and completely surprised me. I normally really hate 1980’s new wave music but this was a refreshing take on it. I enjoyed this one quite a bit and think it has a lot of potential. My first listen through, I liked the first batch of songs the best, but I will definitely be giving this one another listen.

This is great Loads of great pop songs that are also decidedly odd Great synths, great horns Reward towers of the rest of the album but this was a great listen that I feel will reward repeat listens

This album has grown and grown on me. I already liked Reward but forgot about When I Dream, absolutely brilliant. Honourable mentions to Sleeping Gas, Treason and the title track.

better than i remembered, lovely late 70s sound

Good stuff! I enjoyed this - didn't recognize any of it but I liked it

Despite looking like a juice of 80s rock sometimes, It's possible to see many differences and highlights here and there in some songs that are really hidden gems. Maybe a less long album would be better, but I enjoyed it.

Sunny optimistic sounding post-punk with a sometimes cryptic and even sinister bent. Cope’s croon and the intricate arrangements presage XTC’s art rock turn a few years later, without losing any of the danceable pop flair.

This is a wild ride. I really like it.

Not my preferred sound, but surprising, neat, and ahead of its time.

Favorite song: Sleeping Gas (I think).

I liked this one a lot. The first song has a funny lyrics and the entire album has really good energy. I also really like bouncing baby although the lyrics are a little goofy. Cool hidden 80s gem overall. Cover art: 2/10 it’s not even a good photo lmao

Solid album all around. Good vibes and enjoyable listen. Some of the instrumentals are more fun, others are kind of mysterious and moody. Super cohesive and consistent. Out of all the post punk stuff we’ve heard this is probably my favorite. Also just dope that this is a band I’ve never heard of before, it’s fun to discover new stuff I like. I’ll be revisiting. Favorites: treason, poppies in the field, when i dream. MMM: I GO wa bA bA bA bA bA wabadaba ba bA bA bA bA bA babadaba WOAHHHH😮

How a mountain make this music

Pretty good post-punk effort with great songwriting. Quite enjoyable. 7,8/10

Honestly underrated and really enjoyable

This is kind of a strange album, in that it's genre is somewhat hard to place. It bears some similarity to Pelican West by Haircut One Hundred, especially when the horns/sax are playing, but it also feels like a post-punk album at times. There are a lot of different moods here, but it's really good overall. Great music with interesting lyrics and a great voice. I would not be surprised to find out that this album influenced a lot of 80s artists because it feels like the sounds on this album are all over the place in the 80s, but I don't remember hearing a lot of stuff like this that came out earlier than this album 4/5

How have I slept on Julian Cope for this long?

Decent album, alternative indie rock

It was a nice slice of progressive pop

Awesome 80s

This is really imaginative and creative. The production and songwriting is all great. Really evocative

I never heard of this band but glad I listend to them because it fit the kind of music I'm into very much the 80s New Wave pop vibe.

Unknown artist for me, but it was a pleasant surprise! 80's sound all the way through

Enjoyed

Kind of crazy to hear the sound of a whole decade of post punk bands in one band/album. Even get a hint of Cyndi Lauper for some reason. Lot's of 80s musicians were listening to these guys in high school.

Rewarding.

One of the better Marvel adaptations

I was 13 when Kilimanjaro came out. My friend bought the album when it was re-released with “Reward” on the album and the mountain on the cover. I loved all the songs and found that I remembered most of the lyrics as it was playing. Julian Cope was always a bit of an oddity, and even though he was a teenage idol here in Britain, I found him a bit of a pompous ass. I think that’s because he was drug addled at the time. Doesn’t detract from those fantastically clever songs. It would be a solid 3.5 but I’m rounding it up because it was very important to a swathe of British teenagers.

There is such a thing as the sound of the eighties, and The Teardrop Explodes probably defined it with Reward. The whole album is about as eighties in feel as you can get, which, given that it was released on 01/01/1980 (apart from Sleeping Gas - the live track at the end on the version I heard from Spotify which is from 1981) is either remarkable prescience on their part or an indication of how much influence they had. Not enough to my taste to be 5 stars for me, but I would not begrudge it 5 from people whose musical taste it fits better.

Fun tracks, very tight band. Lyrics a bit repetitious at times.

Wow. Is this the Smiths, but fun? Jangle my guitar baby, let’s go!

Actually better than I thought it would be.

Interesting.

Nice post-punk.

Cool post-punk/new wave album with some great eerie synth and catchy hooks. Groovy and electric.

Honestly almost completely blown away by this. This is the missing piece of the puzzle bridging the gap between British psychedelia of the late 60s up to the British rock groups of the 00's. You can clearly hear the sound presented on Kilimanjaro in later British acts like Arctic Monkeys and Kaiser Chiefs. Some great tracks on this like the opener 'Ha Ha I'm Drowning', 'Thief of Baghdad' and the danceable 'Went Crazy'. Throughout the record is a controlled chaos of synth, organ, drums and erratic vocals, and it works really well! Unfortunately, 'When I Dream' is way too long - at least the version currently on Spotify. I wholeheartedly understand why it was originally cut down.

It's very 80's and overall a pretty good album. It goes someplace. Their is a 60's guitar lick in the song HA HA IM DROWNING and very intesting repetitive lyrics in SLEEPING GAS. This album isn't with some duds like TREASON and even though the beat is good in BRAVE BOYS KEEP THEIR PROMISES. I don't think lyric makes the song that. So overall a good album with some small faults

The album has that typical 80's sound including the soft echoey vocals. Talking about vocals, or actually lyrics.. I must say the lyrics make it pretty clear it shouldn't be taken too seriously. It makes the vide of the songs pretty mellow which you wouldn't think at first. Here and there you can also hear the influences of psychedelics, it gives the songs/album some wavy 'edges'.

"Kilimanjaro" is the debut album from the Liverpool band The Teardrop Explodes consisting of Julian Cope (vocals, bass), David Balfe (piano, organ, synthesizer), Gary Dwyer (drums) and Alan Gill (guitar). The music is categorized as neo-pyschedelic, post-punk and new wave. Alright. To me, this music has a definite early 80's feel with its use of keyboards, horns and especially the peppy (best word I could think of) tempos and rhythms. I thought this was a really good album. Plus, they have one the coolest band names which is based on a panel caption from a Marvel's Daredevil comic strip. This album has a number of different versions and reissues. I listened the 17-track version with their hit "Reward." The album starts with "Ha Ha I'm Drowing" and its funky bass lines, horns, synthesizers in the background and sort of a chaotic guitar break in the middle of song as the rhythm changes as well. Tempos change a few times throughout. A straight-forward song about relationship troubles. The second song and first single "Sleeping Gas" builds with its guitar, drums and vocals on top of each other creating kind of a paranoia feel. This song reminded so much of "With Sympathy"-era Ministry, which I like. The third song and single "Treason" is maybe my favorite song on the album with a very catchy vocal chorus. Definitely one of the more "poppier" songs on the album. The second half of this album version continues the good songs. The second single "Bouncing Babies" has a psychedelic keyboard/organ melody, changes tempos between verses and is very unique. I think it kind of purposely tries to create an eerie feeling with the music and lyrics about how one becomes more toxic as life goes on. Another single ""When I Dream" continues the pyschedelic keyboards creating kind of a dreamy atmosphere. The previously mentioned "Reward" was the biggest hit on the album. It has a more peppy tempo, adds horns and again has that eerie pyschedelic keyboards and organ going on. A commentary on pop stardom. If you are a fan of the Sirius XM radio station "First Wave" this is right up your alley. I'm a fan so I liked this quite. Some of the songs also sound very similar to Echo and the Bunnymen which probably isn't surprsing given Julian Cope and Ian McCulloch were in a few previous bands together.

Awfully good to be so little known. Cope deserved more, though the tunes are quirky and they get a little synthy at times (curse of the '80s). Still, one hears easily how they were admired and imitated -- classic intense New Wave, with some dark humor thrown in.

Great mix of post-punk and new wave. It's really dynamic, most of it sounds playful but there's a subtle eerie vibe that goes through it that I really appreciate. Nice discovery, I'll certainly go back to it.

A wonderful surprise that was! I already knew a song or two, but the whole album was a treat! Great mix of post-punk, New Wave and a little hint of neo psychedelia; a wonderful melting pot.

Good blend between a lot of subgenre I like. nice discovery, will get back to it Soon

I'm really glad I discovered this album via the 1001 albums generator. I never heard of them before and it's amazing stuff. Post-punk, new wave, psychedelic... Everything is there for me to love this record. The synth tones and layers were perfection.

You need to ensure you are listening to a version that includes 'Reward' as you can then at least say you have heard this bags before.. and well worth the listen it is too. Yeh, I know of Julian Cope, but didn't know this is where he cut his teeth. File with Dexys as 'an enjoyable rewarding listen'.

I want to be a fan of The Teardrop Explodes but somehow I always forget that they exist. I do love their music though. Those horns!