Kilimanjaro

Kilimanjaro by The Teardrop Explodes (1980) This project was so desperate. The band couldn’t stay together much less play together. The genre is what might be described as whiny self-destructive Liverpudlian post-punk neo-psychedelic techno bubblegum trance music. The album was released in so many different versions, with each iteration attempting to peddle a successful selection and arrangement of tracks—basically trying repeatedly to package what someone felt were their most marketable singles. The title track “Kilimanjaro” (which would actually be kinda cool if the band could maintain tempo) is not even included on the original release. But, sadly, what can we expect from a band named after a line on a comic strip panel and who were locked in that famous to-the-death rivalry with Echo and the Bunnymen? It’s pathetic. It screams insecurity. And that cover shot is the worst-lit group photo since the American Civil War. The lyrics are illogical phrase conglomerations through which a professional critic (and/or psychotherapist), working very hard, might discern a complaint or two—something about change, resistance to criticism, miscommunication, and the unfairness of being asked if one loves his significant other. Huh? The first thing that jumps out to the serious listener is the amateurish, plastic-sounding synthesizer colorings from keyboardist David Balfe and the uneven timbre and undisciplined pitch of lead singer and egoist Julian Cope, overdubbed whenever he gets in over his head, which is not infrequently—it must have sounded terrible live. The music’s foundations are electronic keyboard-heavy variations on standard chord structures (the band’s new guitarist Alan Gill only appears on four of the eleven tracks, while recently fired guitarist Michael Finkler, appearing on eight of the eleven tracks, hangs out near the back of the mix, in shame or as punishment, I don’t know). Bass lines by Julian Cope span wide intervals, but are as repetitive as the tuba chart in a German oompah band. Oh, and drummer Gary Dwyer is given to dropping tempo at the most unlikely of places, as if either (1) he’s trying to follow Julian Cope, or (2) the drugs are kicking in at unpredictable moments. Please don’t make me listen to this again. 1/5

I find Julian Cope a lot more interesting in theory than many of his records actually play out. Given his interest in krautrock (he literally wrote the book), this is much less krautrock-y than I would expect. Not very motorik. Not very interesting or psychedelic. This album made very little impression on me.

Drums are great, guitar work is unexpected sometimes. Best of these British punk-ish albums so far.

Really can’t figure out why this is supposed to be any good. Most songs are two chords with no direction, followed by two semi-related chords with no direction. Nearly zero variety in sound, instrumentation, or drumming approach. “Reward” is actually pretty good, if you can make it that far. Honestly enjoyed it and added it to my rotation. But it’s not enough to save the album a spot here.

so 80s boo. 2?

Somehow, I was expecting more, but got less. It's not bad, but not really good either. 2/5

Básicamente pop.

Hard to see why this wouldn't be 5 stars as it's pretty perfect from start to finish. Only the horns sound occasionally dated.

Got the idea after a couple of songs.

Kind of a slog. Repetitive and not very interesting, the lyrics are droll. That's unfortunately all I really have to say or even can say about this album.

Wow. I really like this record. It's like a more interesting "The Police." Like, I own Police records and put them on occasionally, and often think "that's not as good as I expected." This record suffers from none of that. I really hope I remember this band the next time I think I want to listen to the Police. Reading about this band I see that they are connected to Food Records (a great Britpop label, I believe) and The Smiths. I can hear all that. Great stuff. I'm inclined to rate this as a 3/5, but since they are better than The Police, 4/5.

This genre isn't really my bad, but I kinda dug this album. It's nothing special in my book, but it was good background music while I worked on some pretty boring shit.

3.5

Couldn’t get through this one.

They sound like Oingo Boingo, but without Danny Elfman's awesome voice. Not a fan. Couldn't even finish.

Kinda weird 80s new wave stuff

I liked it.

Ok…. Jag måste vara ärlig…. De va cheeeelin….

Pretty um bouncy nervy 80s post-punk type thing with synths and that yeah

Jar jar meesa s8 stoooopid!!!

Another 80s pop album, which is definitely not my genre.

It’s fun. Singles are brilliant. Quite psych, quite weird, but poppy. I like it.

Started interrsting, but it didn't hook me up. I finished listening out of obligation basically.

I don't know how I missed this band when I was in college.

Meh. Sonido ameno pero todas las canciones suenan igual, ninguna destacó

80's muso nonsense, with that one banger. The rest of it just doesn't have the funk of ABC or the melody of Tears for Fears. Won't be listening again

Skemmtileg plata. Julian Cope skín sínu skærasta.

pós punk de arena com uma personalidade muito forte. pega um pouco dessa veia do echo & the bunnymen mas a melancolia bucólica é substituída por uma energia maníaca, dos melhores discos punk. admito que esse tipo de pós punk não me apetece muito, mas é dificil não amar algo de tanta qualidade. o primeiro álbum dessa lista que eu realmente nunca tinha ouvido falar, fico feliz pela grata surpresa.

Enjoyable 80’s jaunt

First half of the album is promising -reminiscent of the Jam, Gang of Four, at times Blondie and a ska-less Specials, but then it tapers of into songs about bouncing babies and muddled lyrics - it could have been a staple of early 80s post-punk but being overlong and at times half baked lyrics killed that chance. Nice discovery and a fun listen nonetheless

This is cosmic scouse indie at its best… can hear their influence everywhere.

Dosta dobar album, zanimljiv, quirky, instrumentalno je zapravo dost dobar. Sviđa mi se sve u svemu. Sleeping Gas, Second Head, Treason, Poppies, Brave Boys Keeps Their Promises...to name a few - odlične. tldr; nije dugačak album, ima 11 pjesama, nijedna loša pjesma, sve su stvari dobre, a i na ovaj album ću se vraćati. Tvrda četvorka!

very 80s

Niks an

Eigenlijk nog best een aardige mix van de 70s en 80s, maar gaande weg werd het steeds meer 80: het was blijkbaar moeilijk om jezelf muzikaal te onderscheiden toen want we hebben al zoveel bands gehoord die op elkaar beginnen te lijken. Wellicht zeggen anderen dat ook van de jaren 90, maar die kunnen dan een draai om de oren krijgen. Hopelijk kunnen ze daarna mijn geliefde jaren wat meer op waarde schatten. 2,5 ster!

Hmja.....

Niet zoveel mis mee hoor, ze hebben de pecht dat ze al de zoveelste zijn van dit soort in deze lijst.

its alright, punk styled album with some interesting added influences that can be called psychedelic

I WAS A BOUNCING BABY

top

80s British Pop that sounds indistinguishable from any other 80s British Pop.

What didn't this influence? Getting hints of Blur, Bloc Party, The Fall, structures of Britpop rising here. Perfect for throwing shapes to while waiting for Duran Duran to show up.

Didn't expect too much from this, but it's actually [retty good

Medianón.

Not the most exciting album, but decent. A lot of the songs sound the same so it was difficult to have anything stand out to me. I was surprised to see that this came out in 1980 as it feels more like it would come from the mid-to-late 80's based on its progressive sounds (maybe they were ahead of their time?). The vocalist gives me Clash-vibes, but that might just be because this fits in perfectly with the "post-punk" era of music that was coming up at the time. It's definitely listenable, but I don't have any really desire to come back to this one or explore the rest of their catalog. 2.5/5.

Poppy post-punk with a splash of psychedelia? Don't mind if I do! Reminds me a little of XTC, although I think I prefer XTC on balance. More listens might improve my appreciation though... "You can watch Rafferty turn into a serial" - I have no idea what that means, but it's catchy as hell! 😆 Fave track - "Sleeping Gas" and "Treason" are both stand outs. Liked "When I Dream" a lot too...

gillade detta rätt så mycket.

Ok

Far from the best post punk album but it was clear that Inspiral Carpets got a lot of inspiration from these guys! Some great use of the hammond and horns.

This is not my kind of music. It sounds mostly like noise to me.

Strange and semiunknown formation. Very good sound, post-punk and new-wave styles

Really liked this one! Never heard of this band but so similar to a lot of the music I was listening to in 1980.

Terrific New Wave album from the iconoclastic Julian Cope, who writes insistent and urgent music which is also catchy. The production dazzles and the throbbing bass, whirling organ and stabbing horns give the tracks an energy and bounce. A highlight from the eighties. BONUS : I don’t normally include singles that were later tacked on to the original album release because they were a hit but I couldn’t finish without acknowledging how brilliant Reward is, one of the tracks of the decade.

First of all, how is this album post-punk? It's full of pop and dance with heavy synths; those are the defining features of New Wave. It doesn't help that the intro track has the heaviest synths, giving off the wrong impression but also pulling people in. I guess it's too close to the punk formula and not as experimental. Second of all, screw this list for giving me so many post-punk and synth albums. It specifically caters to my tastes. I don't think they're influential or outstanding but yet I love them and it's very hard for me to criticize harshly. This is a psychedelic twist to the New Wave formula, utilizing mostly synth effects to achieve an eery psychedelic sound. The most obvious is that reverse effect in "Poppies in the field" but if you listen closely you can hear it all over the album. The organ and horns in several songs also helps in such effects, clearly influenced by their usage in several 60s psychedelic rock albums. The lyrics are non-sensical like New Wave but more surreal. There's purposeful and heavy repetition that I don't get tired of but makes the tracks simultaneously danceable and trippy. Can't say I hated any of the tracks, but I admit they weren't immediately discernible until I listened closely and was able to pick up what I liked about each of them. "Treason" is the catchiest and most polished, at a couple points giving off David Byrne vibes. If you want to convince yourself this is a psychedelic album, "Thief of Baghdad" is the perfect example of how psychedelia and synths could blend together seamlessly. I admit most of the other songs just feel like psychedelic influence. The ending track "When I Dream" is one of those catchy songs you hate to love. Goes on forever, but I never get tired of it, and is a great way to end the album. Finally, I want to include the bonus track: their best-selling single "Reward" is a great song on its own and should be included despite not fitting in too well with the psychedelic album theme. Maybe move it earlier in the album cause that closing track is the perfect way to end the album.

Europop sound

A classic of its time!

Deze komt al meteen goed binnen!

i like it very much thank you

Some okay songs, very 80's, but the title track and afterwards were really bad.

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

I feel bad for pissing on something from the 80s, but I just don’t get how this is iconic.

This one surprised me. I was expecting not to like it based on the band name, album cover, year released, and opening sounds on the first track. But it quickly grew on me and I really liked it by the end. It's sharp, the sounds are pleasing, some of the lyrics are funny.

This started tolerable and ended up becoming torture as the album drug on. Some individual tracks are okay like "When I Dream" for example but as an album I find it irritating.

Very 80s sounding to me, which unfortunately I never quite love. Not bad but not my thing.

Very 80s sounding, but not much inspired

Great album! Like if Joy Division made more poppy songs.

Nowdays this pop sounds like pop-rock. And sounds pretty, damn, good!

Typische '80s popmuziek. Klinkt in eerste instantie wel leuk, zoals veel van de artiesten in die tijd. Maar met zo'n heel album klinkt het al snel een beetje als een eenheidsworst. Ik denk dat hun individuele nummers beter tot zijn recht komen op een verzamelalbum. Het nummer "Treason" heeft hitpotentie! ***

This album seems to be made of your standard 80s too-much-synth tracks but it was surprisingly more pleasant than I expected. Still not to my taste though...

Après Travis, revoilà un de ces groupes qui veut absolument nous faire bouffer du français pour nous attendrir… La limite de cette stratégie est la suivante : tomber sur un vrai Français qui doit se coltiner quatorze couplets à la con dans une langue totalement inconnue du chanteur. Personne parmi leur entourage ne leur a signalé l'horrible faute d'orthographe contenue dans le titre de la chanson en question ? Quel amateurisme… J'ai globalement beaucoup aimé l'album même si j'en ai détesté une bonne partie. J'attends donc de voir ce que ces andouilles auront dans le ventre sur le long terme.

Je n'ai que très peu apprecié cette appropriation culturelle que se permet le groupe des Teardrop Explodes, utilisant à intervalle regulier notre belle langue française, dans des phrases n'ayant pas le moindre sens. Si l'on ne maîtrise pas son sujet, il vaut mieux se faire discret. Mais bon, vous me ferez remarquer a juste titre que robgruyère se permet bien de critiquer des albums de musique...

Catchier than I thought it was going to be

Sleeping Gas, Treason, Poppy are incredible tracks. This is a decent album. Few too many horns. All about the vocalist, his voice is the main attraction.

Some half decent tracks as well as the obvious ones

Good new wave, haven;t heard it before. I didn't note much but I would add some tracks to a new wave playlist.

Sounds like Oingo Boingo. Struggled to get through the first few songs and wasn't excited about listening to Clash-y brit ska from the 80s. Overall, this was a big 'meh' who cares. Not sure this belongs on the list anymore...

There’s that early 80s British post-punk vocal style I can’t stand popping up again. The only tracks I really found tolerable or repeatable on The Teardrop Explodes’ “Kilimanjaro” were “Second Head” and “Poppies in the Field,” which have some good drums and bass lines that could be great in the hands of a different singer. “Use Me,” a stripped down acoustic guitar piece by Julian Cope solo, was decent too despite some intrusive yalping and excessive length. But “Use Me” it turns out wasn’t even on the original album - it’s from a 2000 reissue that I unwittingly listened to. That subjected me to the songs “Kilimanjaro” (weirdly not on the original album “Kilimanjaro”) and “Strange House in the Snow,” both of which made me want to explode. But I guess I can’t count that against the album? Regardless, The Teardrop Explodes exploded, repeatedly, over the next couple years. It all ended with one of the band members chasing another through the hillside with a shotgun, and Cope walking out of the recording sessions before the 3rd album was done and having to still go on tour with the band sulking and moping the whole way. He would go off to launch a solo career, which took 7 meandering albums to get him on the list again with “Peggy Suicide,” barely more listenable than “Kilimanjaro.”

Largely unremarkable. I enjoyed the title track.

Meh, it’s fine. But is it just me or did all the songs have the same speed/drumbeat?

This is a generic 80s album for me. I just don’t get it being something I have to listen to. Forget the music. What is going on with this album cover? The guy on the right is washed out with the bright light. The guy in front of him is leaning forward. Why? And is he grinning? I can’t tell because he is in dark shadows. The guy on the left is staring at us like he’s thinking, “yes you should be scared.” Why? Because he knows what the dude in the back is caressing. Is that a bag of some sort that he is caressing? What is in the bag? I don’t know, but it should scare all of us. The above analysis was much more interesting than the music.

Not my cup of tea exactly.

Rough synth parts and drowned out vocals harm most tracks on Kilimanjaro, which results in an annoying listening experience. Blending psychedelic elements with playful and energetic melodies is something that was tried here, but not to great succes. It sounds sloppy, unengaging and uninspired, but nothing here is downright awful or insulting. 2/5.

This was pretty good. Felt sort of like prototypical British 80s music. 3 stars.

2.0

A high 3. Spent a lot of time on this one, mainly cause I wasn't sure what to rate it - songs I liked were very good and enjoyed it as a whole, but a 4 feels too high Saved: Ha Ha I'm Drowning*, Treason

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Ha Ha I'm Drowning, Sleeping Gas, Treason, Went Crazy, Brave Boys Keep Their Promises, Books (much better version of the Echo & the Bunnymen song on Crocodiles), Thief of Baghdad, When I Dream, Reward Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: A surprisingly great pop album from a band called "The Teardrop Explodes". If it weren't for some obtuse lyrics I would've assumed this was some kind of early, experimental Duran Duran. Didn't push all the way to 5 star territory, but still good/great music.

Best: Second head When i dream Use me

49. Dragões gritam para as baterias de carros presas em bolhas de sabão. Para onde correr no piquenique do Windows? Os pinheiros são altos e as minhas mãos derretem ao sol. Tudo vihihihihihihibra e eu deixo-me escorregar pelas janelas térreas. São 1500 casas habitadas por um semi-careca. Viva a Azambuja caralho!!!! Os putos dormem nos estores a banheira está cheia deslizo e bolhas bolhas bolhas bolhas MotA: Treason "Oh, use your common sense"

Middle of the road 80’s

Cool music Really like(d) it, fun music and like all the instruments 4/5

Forgotten cult classic

Good new-wave, psychedelic sound. Must have influenced The Smiths at least somewhat. I will need to give this more listens.

Hadn't heard of these guys. Reminds me of the Clash, which makes sense since I don't know much post-punk. A few tracks worth a re-listen.

Competent upbeat British New wave. Like a less depressing Smiths or less experimental talking heads. Pretty good, but I bit forgettable. 3/5

lot of adventurous stuff going on and manage to make it sound good. respect.

7/10

It's a good album, I like the sound, but at the same time, it is really repetitive and all the songs sound the same.

decent Brit pop sound, grew on me a little bit.

Simple and common rock music

I like this kind of music, but it seems like the makers of this list like it a tad too much. We've already had a couple of similar albums that were much better.

Some really good tracks.

that was well 80s wasn't it.

Another totally 80s sounding album, get your flanger and phaser out

Not a fan

I wanted to like this more than I did. But it was still a good fresh listen.

I liked it sort of had a ska feel. Some big band sound. Nothing wrong with this one.

Ok

I started to listen to this yesterday and couldn't get into it. It wasn't that I disliked it, I just wasn't in the mood for it. When I played it today I quite liked it. Julian's a voice reminds me of another artist but I can't quite place it.

Some of it sounded like The Jam, with a hint of The Smiths and even Madness. Got a bit too 80s and keyboardy at times. What I'm trying to say is, they're like a shit Keane.

Chamber Psych before it was cool by Scouse mad 'ead Julian Cope and co.

Just like talking heads but much much worse

Not my style nor impressed with this album. The only thing I will compliment is the album’s cover. Love the beauty in all animals and this safari setting

I can't really explain why I don't like this. I find it just a bit irritating. Maybe too many trumpets.

basic 80s sound

Another 80s band I'd never heard of, but enjoyed. Nice 80s indie pop. A very pleasant and enjoyable listen. 3.5/5.

Ponowne spotkanie z brytyjskim punkiem z najglebszych czelusci liverpoolu, a czemu czelusci, bo albumik nie dostepy na spotifaju. gdzie jedynie kompilacje najwiekszych hitow mozna obczaic, wiec sytuacja podobnie jak z peggy suicide, ktore troche temu sie pojawilo i o moje zdziwienie, pan Cope pojawia sie tutaj jako czlowiek frotnu odpowiedzialny za wokale i basika, wiec chcac nie chcac, mozna powiedziec ze poznalem jakis tam fragment orgin story jego tworczosci, bo roznica pomiedzy tymi dwoma albumami jest dosc znaczaca. zwlaszcza jesli chodzi o ich przystepnosc dla sluchacza, liryczna jak i instrumentalna, bo ten album idealnie wpasowuje sie w brzmienie rokowania lat 80, wiec post punkwosoc lub neo punkowosc, szukanie nowego brzmienia dla tego co juz bylo grane. wiec eksperymenty z synthami, mocno basowe brzmienie, do ciekawych pomyslow dochodza jeszcze wstawki pianinkowe obok synthrow, ktore daja dobry kontrast oraz wykorzystanie trabek na kawalkach jak sleeping gas czy haha, im drowning lub went crazy, ktory jest jednym z hajlajtow plyty, a jako ze jest to plyta z wczesnej tworczosci cope, jego druga banda, jesli wikipedia mnie nie zwodzi na manowce, wiec brak tu jeszcze swojego stylu, a raczej granie ktore powinno brzmiec dobrze dla jak najwiekszego kregu sluchaczy, tak samo ma sie sprawa z tekstami ktore sa o wiele bardziej bezposrednie, narracja pierwszo osobowa, dlugosc kawalkow jest takze dosc typowa, bo 2-3 minuty wiekszosc trwa, co tworzy 37 minutowy material o 11 trakach, dlugoscia nadrabia zamykajacy when i dream, ktory najbardziej z calej plyty eksperymentuje z synthami i jest najblizej buublegumowego sounda jakim okresla sie granie tej bandy wsrod zjadaczy ryb i frytkow, z czym jestem sie w stanie zgodzic po przesluchaniu tego traka, ocenialem tylko orginalne wydanie z 1980, chociaz material mial dwa ponowne wydania, to sam cope krytykowal je za sprzedawanie ochlapow pod marka ktora sie sprzeda, wiec raczej nie bede sie zaglebial badanie deluxowych wersji, poza wentem crazy na plejke gdybym mogl, to wrzucilbym jeszcze gumowy traczek lub brave boysow w zaleznosci od plejki, ale jako ze na spotifaju brak plyty i ratowac kolejny raz musialem sie soulseekiem, to zostaje notka tutaj

Borderline 2/3. Enjoyed it, but cheesey synth horn were fucking gash

Entertaining. Needs further listening to evaluate

I had overlooked these guys when they first came out (maybe their records never made it to Sudbury?) and Julian Cope didn’t really catch my attention later – he reminded me of Morrisey at that point. Too bad because I would have been all over this album in 1980. The songs are very driving & melodic, I like the sequence of six tracks that begins with Treason, and the intermittent brass section is cool and not something you hear much in a post-punk band. I could see myself dancing to Second Head, which sounds like it could be a Stranglers song. Top Drawer Stuff 9/10

Seltsames Werk - in seinen schwachen Momenten nerven Fanfaren und etwas vordergründig saloppe Synth-Melodien bestimmen das Geschehen; in den starken, sehr hypnotischen Momenten („Poppies“, „When I dream“) ist all das wieder fast vollkommen vergessen und verziehen und der Effekt ist der Zeit entrückte Trance. Dizzy 3.4

Right off the bat I like the music on this first track. Honestly, I’m hoping this isn’t a sign that we are going to be getting a majority British bands (especially since this list is British) but this is starting to look like an album I might like. Never heard of them before, The Teardrop Explodes, not my favorite band name but I’m getting those 80’s Duran Duran type vibes with these guys. Sleeping Gas was good too until then end when he kept wandering around. I listen to most of these on Apple Music and there are always some editors notes and for this one it says this band was Liverpool’s most volatile band, barely able to keep a lineup together long enough to put out an album. I think that actually enhances the music because this album is really enjoyable to listen to. Haven’t found any songs to take home with me but as an album its nice background music. Looking at the album cover I bet the minute after the photo was taken the bandmates started fighting. I feel like they just constantly yell at each other but the minute they record they just get to business. Overall this did end up being an enjoyable able to just listen all the way through. I don’t’ think I’ll come back to it but I’m glad I got a chance to listen to more British rock.

Its hard to come up with an immediate reaction to the first two tracks. There is a sense of foreboding in the upbeat jams. Like a dance party in a cave. There is almost like a ghoulish, halloween feeling to this album. See Second Head for reference. I get sort of lost after that song. Thief of Baghdad was pretty cool, I guess? Reward comes and sonically breaks up the languidness of the back half of the album. the bonus tracks i have no idea what to do with.

Good. Maybe a bit one-note in a few of the songs

Yikes, another reminder that I’m getting old and certain things just don’t age well. New Gold Dream is of similar vintage but it sounds way fresher and more innovative than this. I really liked Poppies in the field back in the day, but the driving beat that I recalled now sounds muffled and uninspired. The synth keyboard also sounds lame. It was a struggle to get thru the 17 songs on this album

Nothing special to see here.

Cool discoverment!

Iniciadores

Sounds somewhat similar to The Swamp thing

I adore The Teardrop Explodes, and this album does NOT disappoint. Yet another record that proves how lovely that 80s new wave music from the UK was, and how much in influenced some of today's best indie music. Can't choose fav songs on Kilimanjaro but Poppies In The Field is a really cool one that stands out. The record just keeps rollin' with good vibes with their own alt flavour, full of danceable beats and solid vocals-n-songwriting. AND HORNS! :)

This reminds me a lot of The Smiths, another band I never would have listened to if I hadn't been doing this 1001 albums. I like it! Moody melodies and 80s malaise.

Good vibes

I do not like when I dream nor do I like strange house in the snow but I do really like the album. I love use me and traison.

Yuck

Yesterday, we received our tenth album, and second David Bowie album. At that rate, we could be looking at 200 Bowie albums on this list. I trust that isn't possible, but we will see. Today is a band/album I've never heard of; no Stuarts, but it is British. Seven of our eleven albums (64%) have come from UK artists (including Belle & Sebastian in Scotland). I think that qualifies as a British Invasion, or maybe even Occupation. But if the music's good, bring it on. Today, the music's good. I like this album. It's 1980, but somehow sounds post-new wave. There are traces of that pop style buried throughout this sort of psych rock. I wish they had committed more to the psychedelic elements, but I still like this one. Favorite tracks: Second Head, Poppies, Use Me. Album art: a simple band photo. I like it though, the colors look nice and go with the title text. Wikipedia shows an alternative cover featuring zebras and Mount Kilimanjaro as a backdrop. I'd give that cover an edge over this one. 3/5

Above average

1.5 | Siempre me emociona cuando sale un disco de alguien que jamás había escuchado. Por verlos y al empezar a escucharlo pensé que quizá era un grupo muy bueno de New Wave que no conocía. Sí es una banda de New Wave, con mucho sonido de Post-Punk y Psicodelia pegados, pero la verdad es que no fueron muy buenos. La influencia de psicodelia al inicio creí iba a ser buena y darle un giro interesante, pero terminó escuchándose como New Wave indistinto al que le pusieron un organito Hammond encima. Terminé sintiendo que se escuchaba demasiado a Interpol. Habrá a quien eso se le haga bueno pero para mí fue se quedo en el arranque. Creí que me iba a enganchar y solo se quedó flotando de fondo (y no de la forma correcta como Eno). Lo más triste es quizá no tengo mucho que decir realmente... Las primeras tres canciones muy bien... Y ya... No le veo necesidad de estar en la lista.

Kinda smithsy, but longer and less catchy

Definitely a bit long, and has a bit of a rockier echo & the bunnymen flair. If i grew up with them, i'd probably like it more. There are some odd ducks mixed in there as well.

Empezo bien a secas y me fue ganando. De esas bandas de los inicios de los ochentas que terminaron siendo muy influyentes en la música de leyendas latinoamericanas como Soda Stereo y LFC.

I halfway expected this album to be various jazz covers of Toto's Africa given the title and cover art, honestly I probably would have liked that better than what I got. This is a pretty sub-standard british new-wave album. It's very uninspired. I really don't have much to say about this album. Its pretty boring and quicky faded to the background. I didn't find any qualities that would lift this album above any others.

I'm not hearing anything mind blowing on this first listen. Not doing it for me.

Not that great but some of the songs are quite good

It’s interesting that they have this full bodied sound of what the 80s would be remembered for music wise, but it’s out 1980. Maybe they were ahead of the game, maybe I’m just illiterate

1.5| Comenzó todo muy bien hasta que la rola 3 ya era igual a las otras 2, una psicodelia limpia pero no da para mas

Otro de esos aburridos grupos de los ochenta en los que todo suena a que eran muy buenos músicos y podían haber dominado al mundo pero su música se vuelve casi monótona y cuesta trabajo ver cuál es el mérito para estar en la lista. Gana la segunda estrella nada más porque el bajista sí suena impresionante, pero casi la pierde porque la voz siento que imita a Sting. ¿Qué rayos está abrazando el tipo de la portada?

Julian Cope is a rad dude. Some great riffwork in this, and nice guitar tones. The whole album just feels very... tense. Paranoiac pop grooves. I don't know how much acid was floating around when they recorded (I think a lot), but there is something very bad-trippy about the songwriting. Love "strange house in the snow".

big 80's feels. Reward is a bop.

Die ersten Takte ließen bereits wieder Schlimmes befürchten, aber dann wurde es stellenweise mitunter so kreativ-verspielt, dass es fast anfing, mir zu gefallen. Für 3 Sterne waren die Songs aber doch nicht interessant genug komponiert, gute 2 Sterne.

Solid album. Great 80s vibes went on a bit long though

My ratings are kind of based off first impressions. This one had some good songs but didn't blow me away on my first listen. Might be a grower.

Not bad, not great, nice weird feel, gotta be in a certain mood for it

This album had its moments for me. The overall sound is pretty interesting, but it probably doesn't appeal to everyone. It appealed to me well enough to rate this album with 3 stars.

It was good but not great

I say jajajjajaja bubububub

Boring. Didn't make it to the end. 'Reward' is the one notable track. 2.3/5.

Its an okay album but there was nothing that really stood out and that I would come back too 6,4/10

“Reward” has always been one of my favorite songs.

Dammit. More crappy 80s music. It's post-punk so there's that but it's still full of bloopy synths, over-stylized vocals, horn solos... all the crap I hate about the era. The wiki calls this "neo-psychadelic" and I think that's a load of crap. It's just an excuse for repetitive keyboard parts that never go anywhere. I'm pretty sure this album is only on here because the band was fronted by Julian Cope and brits love to tell people that they love Cope. Also Ian McCulloch of Echo and the Bunnymen. But, honestly, it's not an awesome album by any stretch of the imagination. There's nothing particularly ground-breaking in the musicality or the lyrics. It's sorta dancable, though? I bet this was big in the early 80s underground clubs in Liverpool...

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

Could've done a bit more with the chord progressions, would had been better if it was a bit fast paced

muy bueno jej

Think 80s high energy brit pop, its groovy and fun