Reviews (page 2 of 7)
So unexpectedly refreshing. Loved the meandering vocal melodies and atmosphere.
Trying to put my finger on what I like so much about it.. it’s like restraint.. or maybe just keeping things simple.. but also there are a lot of interesting sprinkles mixed in. But not too experimental. And that bass is so killer. They really had me from the first moments of the first song. I listened through at least 4-5 times today. There’s so much space in the arrangements, I kept finding new little pockets. Like Peter Gabriel’s vocal vibes with differentness of Roxy Music’s music. Thanks 1001 for another 5 star introduction 🙏
This feels both adult and sophisticated - the kind of pop music that people with mortgages can conceivably enjoy. Big Peter Gabriel vibes at times. If music ever gave the impression that it doesn't sweat, it's this. A Walk Across the Rooftops is elegant, poised - and sounds utterly sensational, production wise. I want a copy.
I think I have to give this a 5! I didn't come into this expecting to be so charmed and weirdly... entranced... by this record. But it's so... alluring! Something so odd and wonky about the production, but crazy enticing. Spacious but just enough ear candy, compositionally delightful. With this broken, mourning, Bowie-esque voice at the end. I was talking with my uncle a while back about how it's hard to find some really iconically great 80's albums that feel great all the way through. This feels like that! And the fact that it's a phenomenal example of an album in the 80's feels like it should get top marks alone. Wow! Kinda crazy into it. 5/5
Freakin phenomenal - Probably one of the most underrated bands of the 80’s
I first heard this album when I was 15. Pretty early on I came to understand that while I loved it - it was not for everyone. I shared a love of this little secret with a few friends. But more importantly it helped me through the challenges of my high school years - and beyond. It was emotionally unrestrained and expressive in a way that few albums i have encountered dare to be. It paints beautiful pictures and transports you. If nothing else let Tinseltown sweep you away and get lost in the world of Heatwave.
Great stuffs. first time knowing of the band. very moody music.
I’d never heard of this band or album, so I had no idea what to expect. This was actually a really interesting listen that I enjoyed more than I thought I would, and I think it will only grow on me with repeated visits. It’s got a Talking Heads meets Kate Bush and Peter Gabriel vibe. It’s produced to show off how each element adds to the total sound — there are some really cool bass lines, good drum grooves, fun, jazzy parts, and interesting experiments with sound that are Eno–esque (and “From Rags to Riches” has a fun arpeggiated synth that sounds a lot like The Who’s “Baba O’Riley” mixed with interesting drum sounds). The lyrics and the singer are pretty good. He sounds similar to David Byrne but actually sings, though he occasionally approaches a shrillness that’s a bit too close to Sting for me. For an album that was created by a company specializing in hi-fi audiophile equipment, you can hear the care that went into engineering and mixing this album. The music sounds great and has a very full, dynamic sound that fills the space. Because it’s sort of on the post-punk side of new wave, there’s a lot of space between notes that helps to highlight each musical element. My only complaint is that on the title track, the vocals sound a bit buried in the mix. It somehow sounds very clear but also kind of muddled in my headphones. I’ll have to try listening on my stereo system and see if that makes any difference. I can definitely see how this album may have influenced future artists like Imogen Heap. It’s actually really impressive that they were able to achieve that kind of futuristic sound in 1983. The album feels like an 80s album but also feels very timeless. 5/5 — was not expecting this album but will be adding it to my regular rotation
5/5
Front row middle of the Manchester Free Trade Hall 1990 Best gig I’ve ever seen.
Magnificent. Sophisticated pop music that stands head and shoulders above a lot of the drivel that was released in the 1980s. Highly recommended.
This is the first of these that I've owned since it came out, more or less and it still sounds fresh. It's a masterpiece.
An absolute classic. Every home should have a copy. Others may prefer the second album 'Hats', and yes, its a close run thing, but the first album just pips it. Gorgeous tunes, lyrics that set the mood, and what sound/production! My 249th album to review here, and it's easily the best of the lot. It's that good. I envy you if it's the first time you hear this, what a discovery! We need a six star button.
This was pretty good stuff! I love this era and genre of music though I have never heard this band before.
excellent mid 80s Glaswegian sounds, takes me back to those post-pub nights in Muswell Hill
Love Blue Nile. Some is really reminiscent of the melody licks and instrumentation of sadder songs of Peter Gabriel, "Easter parade" reminds me of "here comes the flood" for example. Both just a very unique emotion evoked and something to sit with. I love Stay so much. It seems to me that it's a song steeped in regret more than hope, like the promise one should have made to someone who's already departed. But that could be just a personal interpretation given when I found and obsessively listened on repeat to this song in my own biography...sigh. Must be something Scottish to this kind of pop that I find so rewarding.
Probably enjoying a surprising number of listens this month after being mentioned by T-Swift. And by coincidence it's exactly 40 years to the day since it was released. Really enjoyed this - sounds like it could have been made in any year out of the last 40. Kind of Nu-romantic, kind of new wave, lovely arrangement and plenty of space for the songs to breathe. As the album went on I just found myself sitting and enjoying it more and more.
Omg, it all came flooding back. Scotland’s own The Blue Nile, and dancing to ‘Tinseltown in the Rain’ at The Pub in Rose Street with my pal Tracy. Not the most danceable tune tbf. And it always stuck in my mind that Paul Buchanan dated Rosanna Arquette for a while. This was better than I remember. Fantastic
Despite this getting a little slow for me by the end, I really loved the sound of this music: a little synth, a little piano, a little strings. Nice.
This album was great! Especially the sound.
Awesome! Perfect rainy day music.
This is a 4.5 and Hats is a 5. I find some of the instrumentals kind of funny, they remind my of when I was in year 7 and we had to start composing things on Sibelius.
What a surprise! It's exactly these deep cuts I started this for. Never heard of this album. Yet again it seems like bad reviews seem to result in me liking an album
Absolutely fantastic, I never knew music like this had been around for so long
superb
From the sound of the first note to the last, The Blue Nile demand and obtain perfection in A Walk Across the Rooftops. Seven tracks and less than forty minutes are needed to build a worldview so pristine no amount of dirt and grime could be piled on to sully its feature. Sophisticated pop has never before or since sounded this exact and this is the album that provides the blueprint for others to follow.
Tinseltown in the Rain is one of the best 80s songs that I didn't know about
I had never heard of these guys before and based on the description, I really didn't expect to enjoy this album as much as I did. In terms of musicianship, this was even a good album and in terms of songwriting it was pretty standard. But what truly shines about this album is the stellar production. The way all of the sounds are brought out and contrasted is a piece of art in itself.
Oh this is an awesome discovery. I love this style of synth pop, must have surely inspired Talk Talk, especially in their development of post-rock. 7 tracks and they're all fantastic in their own ways, with a couple dance tracks, a couple powerful pop pieces, and the rest being ambient emotional pieces. I love how spacious and atmospheric they all are, incorporating all sorts of sudden lush sound effects that make for a very pleasant experience. Not a single second felt wasted on this record.
Well there you go. Just goes to prove you should check something out yourself before basing your opinion on other people's views. I listened to this and lo and behold think it's pretty good. I know it'll never amount to much now and at the time due to no real label promotion it got nowhere. It's short but really well put together - kinda like a less poppy Talk Talk? Giving it 5 stars not because it deserves them but to say sorry for all the nasty reviews...
I love eighties music, but until recently, I really hadn't heard much Sophisti-pop, minus a few singles here and there (Spandau Ballet, Level 42, and ABC). But a year or so ago, a friend of mine who knows my love for eighties music and synths made me a Sophisti-pop playlist on Spotify, and I really enjoyed it. I've never heard of The Blue Nile before, but this album was absolutely fantastic. Every song was great, and the album as a whole had a really unique feel and vibe to it. I have a few notes on my favorite tracks: "Tinseltown in the Rain" has such great piano and guitar riffs. I think there was a part where a synth was playing stringed instrument sounds, and I loved that too; in my opinion, something like that is what Sophisti-pop is all about. The looping synthesizers in the background on "From Rags to Riches" were really great. The saxophone on "Heatwave" was fantastic; that's another Sophisti-pop element that I enjoy. The vocals really reminded me of Peter Gabriel, and I was shocked to learn that he really promoted the band, and even recorded a song with them later. However, when I played this album for my wife, she was getting Bowie vibes from the vocals, and I can hear that too. Either way, this album was great, and I can't wait to get more music like it.
Oh, it was love at the first sight. I feel I've been listening to it for ages. Maybe it just reminded me of Imploding The Mirage by the Killers. Anyway, I'll take it to my playlist
Walk across the rooftops sounds like it may have inspired some of Sting's early solo work. I love the arrangement of the track. Lazy bass, dreamy time, I've wandered in this fog more than once.
Four albums only and 4 perfect ones. All albums deserve 5 stars. All 7 songs of this album brilliant, Automobile Noise favourite track. Saw then live twice and you can't forget experiences like that,
absolutely GORGEOUS I am in love with these groovy-ass tunes! 10/10
I really liked this album. Hadn't ever heard them before and was very pleasantly surprised. I'm going to spend some more time on them in the future. Those are refreshing sound. I really like musically how it moved and I do like the vocals. Very nice overall.
Really enjoyable album, just mellow and moody, Stay was my favourite track.
A very underrated band.
very cool
Gotta give this a 5. Earnestly beautiful, expertly balancing heartfelt emotions with intricate arrangements to create songs that can truly captivate you. This is aided, in no small part, by the excellent production
Surprisingly great
Looooved this. So moody and beautiful
Loved this from start to finish. Right up my sonic street.
Super je ovo četiri će dobit samo zato što je hats remek djelo. Ma kvrgu ipak pet. Ovo je definitivno najbolji sophisti pop
Brilliant...I really enjoyed listening to it.
Never heard of this genre before, but I absolutely love this album. Has such a nice ambience to it. Especially enjoying ''Heatwave''
Very complex and artsy arrangements Sometimes sparse instrumentation Can be quite atmospheric and lo-fi "Easter Parade" features a beautiful piano melody
theatrical, brooding synth with sophisticated instrumentation and the ghost of Japanese citypop. Montages of a morose rainy walk around NYC. Excellent album for those pained with wistful nostalgia
real good
Short and sweet. Totally my shit.
Post New Wave, synth Soul, obra despojada de adornos. Hija de su tiempo suena sin embargo atemporal, para nada envejecida y muy actual. Se alarga en desarrollos. Muy bueno.
Everything good from the 80s IMO
Awesome ambiance music I really did not expect it and loved it
Actually pretty enjoyable and I didn't immediately recognize the artist, but it sounds so familiar! Such a smooth voice. 4.5
Slightly dated in production and too short in length (only 7 songs). Otherwise this is a mighty album. Tinseltown in the rain is a gorgeous song which belongs in any best of 80s collections. A great band but just not busy enough over the years. What a voice as well.
While I prefer longer songs (given modern pop's under 3 minute epidemic), in this case the songs averaging 5 minutes did make the album overstay its welcome a little. More positively, Brit pop's easy listening has the advantage of never being exceptionally bad. Though, it's contentious to say if this is a true strength, as taking little risks also means a lot of projects in this genre aren't exceptionally amazing either. All that said however, "A Walk Across The Rooftops" is certainly one of the best ones I've listened to so far, as it incorporates more coarse and artsy production that I really enjoyed!
Interesting, intriguing, I definitely want to explore it more, but definitely recommend
4 and a half? Have to spin it a few more times but I listened twice and liked it enough that I fell asleep to the follow-up. This hazy alley, late night, forlorn music which still be dry much suits me. Big blue Nile fan 24 hours after my first listen.
This sounds like a soundtrack for a very pleasant life
I'm feeling generous - this has a late Peter Gabriel fell although his voice is not a Gabriel knock-off
Det høres litt ut som om to album spille oppå hverandre, og æ e ikke nødvendigvis motstander av sånt, men det ene albumet va fint og det andre litt slitsomt, så æ e ikke superentusiastisk – det blei bedre etterhvert, og den siste sangen va egentlig ganske vakker.
Great album, I really enjoyed it despite never having heard of them before today. It's kind of lite 80's synth popish music. Very chilled out and enjoyable. Good music and the singer's vocals are really well done. I decided to go back through for a second listen. This is something that is right up my alley and I will definitely be listening to it again.
This was so pretty and yet still cool and minimalist. Liked the production. Felt ahead of its time.
love it
I was surprised to have never heard of this album. It's right in a pocket of things I like. The band name was familiar for sure. I dug it.
Reminded me of both The Cure and LCD Soundsystem… I love that.
this is my first album by these guys, i’ve heard a song off their album Hats and it’s amazing, this album brought that same vibe and it was really good, some amazing guitar on this too, in a smooth way, a very night time sounding album in a great way, quality
Really enjoying the 80s new wave vibes on this record - it feels cool and confident yet still very measured. The basslines are super groovy at times and the songwriting is abstract & interesting throughout. The more experimental ambient tracks are decent too, albeit they don't fully grab me like the more energetic ones. Tinseltown In The Rain itself is an absolute standout.
Funky
This is such a cool album. Strong Talking Heads vibes.
Not a new wave person but I liked this one. Very listenable. Sting qualities
Buen album, no conocía a la banda y me sorprendió para bien. Buen sonido, buenas letras y seguro alguna canción de esta album va para mi playlist. Dentro de todo, es más que una buena escuchada.
I never heard of this band before, I will definitely be checking out more of them. Fresh sounds and killer bass.
3.7 Enjoyed that, sounded very different to the vast majority of this list. Almost came across emotional-new-wave esque if that's a thing, internet seems to tell me this is 'ambient folk' but not quite sure what's ambient or folky about it. Anyway, not sure putting a label on it really helps, nice vibe to have on in the background. Ironically the tinsel town track which seems to be the only popular one on the album was my least fave. Some of the rest though, really good.
We have Peter Gabriel at home
Цікаві 80ті. Альбом іноді майже переходить допустимий для мене рівень примхуватості та витонченості, але якось вдається їм триматися цієї межі. Початок альбому сильно сподобався. Десь на середині трохи пригрузив, а під кінець знову трохи призвичаївся. 3.5, яка сильно хилиться до 4
Один з моїх улюблених гуртів 80х, і саме цей альбом мабуть в них найкращий. Тут ізі 4 ставлю, культовий гурт, який (як виявилось) дуже любить сабріна карпентер. До речі мене з блю найл познайомив Ігор Сидоренко, ще в неформатні часи.
If David Bowie and Sting had a baby, I can imagine the voice would be like this front man. Synth and melodies were good. Enjoyed the lyrics, saved several tracks.
So '80s. What does the synth on From Rags to Riches remind me of? Interesting listen. A few good tracks going in my regular shuffle. Bonus points for being Scottish.
Listens: 3 Standout Tracks: A Walk Across The Rooftops When I read that this was another Scottish band on the List, my eyes rolled into the back of my head so hard they could have caused a seizure. I've had to endure the likes of The Shamen, Primal Scream and The Incredible String Band, just to name a few and so I was not looking forward to this. SO, color me surprised when I started listening; this is actually pretty good. It's totally outside of my comfort zone and what I would normally listen to, but I quite enjoyed what I heard. It doesn't overstay its welcome, its got great instrumentation, including that really deep bass spring-sound (that I can't articulate). I don't really know which other artists to relate this music to. Genesis comes to mind? I scroll though the "related artists" at the bottom of the artist page on YTM and no one stands out as familiar. There's not really a concrete genre this can be classified into. It's sort of standing on its own legs, at least IMO. Dare I say, I might even call this beautiful, which after 400+ albums, is not an adjective I think I've used yet. Good job, The Blue Nile
Day856 - i thought this was a really good one. i have never heard blue nile and then i heard tinseltown in the rain on the radio right after i listened to the album
Might be the first album where, after listening through AND reading reviews, my opinion of it isn't swayed in the slightest. This album had me totally blissed out, focusing on it's lyrics and assisting me in staring into space with wide-eyed wonder. Does it have that pretentious 'morrisey-esque' vocals? Yup. Does it have pretentious sounding, disjointed musical arrangements? Also yup. I didn't care, it sounded gorgeous the whole way through and hit a perfect length for this kind of music too. Favourite tracks were "A Walk Across The Rooftops", "Tinseltown in Rain", "From Rags to Riches", "Stay" and "Heatwave". "A Walk..." especially, with those deep, twangy bass strings. Would happily listen to more of these guys, to hell with criticisms about overproduction.
Dark, moody and very 80s, I am glad this is on the list.
Slow and haunting and beautiful.
It makes me want to turn up the collar of my trench coat and moodily smoke outside a 1980s wine bar as I stare at the reflection of the neon sign in a puddle.
Sad there's no Downtown Lights but a fun album and I enjoyed the origin story.
Interesting overall, liked Stay, had some good moments, short and sweet
4.5
One of the best sophisti-pop albums I have heard. 4 stars
I like the base, actually not bad, new one on me, ⭐⭐⭐⭐
4/15/26. New to this group and it's a pretty unique sound in a crowded 80s new wave/alternative scene. Really loved Heatwave and Stay.
damn, the start was annoying but then I really felt it at the later songs, where he's like I know you postcards summer clothes and stuff and the the car noise, amazing, at the end I was quite sick of the sound and his voice, but 4 stars
Never heard of it before but really enjoyed this one! Great vibes and songs were all a good length (they suit the slower vibe of some of the music without droning on too long). He's got a lovely voice. Almost gave it a 5. Second listen confirms it as a 4
had a fire peter gabriel vibe
Another album I was really looking forward too for awhile and I ended up really enjoying it. As good as this album is though it definitely pales in comparison to its follow up, "Hats". That album should absolutely be here instead. Regardless, this album is lovely. Perfect for Easter especially since it has a song titled "Easter Parade". Favorite track: Heatwave 3.5/5
This was interesting, I had no idea what to expect going into it. Kinda new wave, kinda pop, very 80s with the production and synths, but I kinda dig it. Definitely some cool songs, I liked the opening 2 songs, and Heatwave.
I really enjoyed this but I can't put my finger in why.
I'd never heard Blue Nile before -- pleasantly surprised! Each song is a weird little sound collage. I will definitely listen to this again.
Another 1984 album. This is just like that novel. My lineup as of late has been albums specifically released in 1984 interspersed with a whole lot of early 70s and 90s albums. If this is another mid-80s jangle pop album then I'm gonna freak. I'll be more optimistic and hedge my bets on a post-punk release - I'm picking up a bit of a joy division feel from this album cover. Here goes. Sophisti-pop. Synth-pop. Ambient. Way off with my prediction, but I'm not complaining. This was pretty good, though the music is hard to surmise. There are different instruments and styles on just about every track. Speaking as generally as I can, I favoured the ambient aspect of this album over its sophisti-pop counterpart (what a stuck up name for a genre). As such, the album stumbles a little during the first half, but really comes together during the second. The pianos are beautiful and this album's musical sense really thrives when given some room to breathe. By comparison, the first half is way busier, though it does have some good points - namely the plucky strings and funky bass guitars, which synergise with one another surprisingly well. The vocals drag this music down, sadly. I have no idea what it is with 80s music and this strained, stiff vocal delivery, but it doesn't work. No other decade comes close to how stilted and jarring the average 80s vocalist is. Thankfully, it isn't enough to ruin my enjoyment of this album, though it is a niggling gripe of mine. Book time. "...heartbreakingly beautiful". "...one of the best loved cult bands". A few prominent musicians like this band, notably Peter Gabriel. The band have a solid and well-respected discography. I don't need to consult Wikipedia for this album - the music is unique and I liked it. I'll hopefully come to appreciate this album more in time as it's currently just bits and pieces for me. In any case, I cosign this inclusion. ================== Edit (April 8, 2026) I am pleased to report that this album has grown on me quite a bit in the week since listening to it. It's pretty great from start to finish, those once-scorned sophisti-pop bits included. I admire the sensitivity and sentimentalism of this album. The opulence of the music is relaxing on the whole and can be quite beautiful at points. I might check out the rest of The Blue Nile's work sometime. YouTube music has been recommending me some tracks from their other albums lately, which I also thought were pretty good. Original rating: 3 stars Amended rating: 4 stars
kind of reminds me of black country new roads
i had never heard of the pogues before but this album so enjoyable i became an irish pirate for a moment
Low 4.
Good
Struttin' downtown Metropolis in my BluBlockers, leather jacket, acid washed jeans with the elastic waistband, and an immaculately clean pair of Reebok pumps - THIS is the record pumpin' in my Walkman. Not my lane at all - but beautifully crafted! There's a simple elegance here making it apparent a lot of time and care was put into shaping the songs. It takes you on a careful journey through a full range of emotion, but only as a guide, leaving room to get weird in the depths of your mind. I think a year ago I would have dismissed this as boring, but now I see depth and something worth circling back to!
I was really surprised by this album. I was a bit leery because so many of the albums are duds, but this album grabbed me from the very first song and I’m not really sure why. I shouldn’t like this album but I did.
Weird but enjoyable
Really liked the vibe of this
I enjoyed. Very Geese-like
Groupe inconnu. New wave moins pop que la plupart des albums de ce style écouté jusqu'ici. J'ai apprécié la basse, les structures de morceau non standards, les plages instrumentales et parfois les sonorités de synthé. Même si certains morceaux sont longs, ils passent très bien de part leur structure inattendue ("From Rags to Riches"). Bonne découverte donc, que j'écouterais de nouveau avec plaisir ! Il n'est pas loin de rejoindre ma collection =>3.5 arrondi à 4/5, il est bien plus intéressant que les 4 derniers albums proposés !
Chill
It's like if Peter Gabriel recorded video game music.
Glad I stuck with this one, loved it by the end
I quite enjoyed this. Elegant im the sparse arrangement.
Likes: Springsteen-esque conviction in the vocals; slow, crooning vocal over the synthy staccato instrumental creates a really intriguing discordant vibe; feels like its capturing the feeling of being aware that you’re in a dream Dislikes: can be a little rambling/winding Overall, not something I expected to like as much as I did. I don’t love the songs as songs, but they’re really great as an atmosphere you can float in
Kuidagi meenutas mulle Police'i eksperimentaalsemaid lugusid ja Stingi vokaale. Väga lahe ambient kõla ning palju põnevaid harmooniaid. Pille on täpselt parasjagu mängitud, ei ole suvalist müra. 3.9/5
De lo mejor de los 80. Todavía aguanta una escucha atenta.
goood
2/3. Felt like I was hearing interesting songs being constructed in real time, but it mostly felt like too little too late. I understand that they're an ambient group so that's kinda the point, but it does make for music that mostly floats on by. Still some good moments and I think worth listening to for the sheer interest and some really nice culminations.
The 80s always surprises me. So many albums by artists I’ve never heard of from the 80s have been great. Need to revisit this one.
4/5
It sounded like Peter Gabriel a bit, in a good way
Wasn’t sure at first but his voice reeled me in I really liked this a lot.
poor mans steely dan
I remember the 80s but not this band. I started off feeling that this was a poor imitation of Japan but then at their fourth song Stay and subsequent songs everything was quite wonderful, lovely melodies and instrumentation. This feels quite cool, and that’s not a word I use a lot.
Enjoyed this more than I expected. I remember the Blue Nile, but I don't remember them being this interesting.
It's not as bad as I thought it would be; this album is, actually, pretty nice. I wouldn't say mind-blowing (not at all), but, it's an enjoyable record, with some interesting arrangements and atmospheres. Really nice.
7.79/10
Mellow Scottish synth pop (apparently?), nice ambient background music
Vildt fedt! Meget spændende instrumental, rar stemme, lige mig :)
Unusual sound and melodies. I had only heard Tinseltown In The Rain before, which I always really liked. I felt only Easter Parade was a little weak.
050226 13:49 4 / highlights: tinseltown in the rain, a walk across the rooftops
Such a gentle, thoughtful album. Best listened to at dusk or dawn, I imagine.
Yup, this album was definitely made in 1984. It's weird how the year 1984 can have such a distinct sound. This sounds like both The Police and Sting's solo work put together. Tinseltown in the Rain is already seeming like it can be a favorite song of mine. Definitely want to check out their other album Hats, as it looks like that one is more popular than this one.
As a big Destroyer fan, I feel like I just discovered a foundational text
Erstes Mal hören 4/5. zweites Mal 3/5 3.5/5
One of the synth-pop albums that I actually liked. Its like is Bruce Springsteen did dream-air pop. I think this was definitely worth the listen.
Fairly innovative and interesting
A little goofy, surprisingly beautiful. Good stuff!
1/4/26. This feels like something that inspired The Killers, who I love. 8/10
Great album but a little too slow overall.
Det här var fan helt lysande! Startar lite segt men andra halvan av albumet är fantastiskt. Det är något med tystnaden i musiken som är väldigt attraktivt. Och syntljuden! Snudd på 5a
Magiskt! Låter väldigt odaterat till skillnad från mycket annat av sin tid, även om det såklart är många 80-talsattribut känns det som att det lika gärna hade kunnat vara 2025 års bästa album. Superstark fyra, kommer komma tillbaka till!
Oj! Aldrig hört talas om, men vilka låtar! Och så fint proddat! Och rösten! Näe, gillar skarpt asså! Elektro-akustiskt mästerverk?
Aldrig hört förut. Mycket stark inledning, svag för pretto new wave och rätt förtjust i de ständiga elektroniska industriell-ljudkonst-inslagen. Jävligt kall produktion, låter exakt som färgskalan på omslaget. Gillar det. Trivs med den poppande basen och pianolicksen. Stark 3a eller svag 4a.
så moody! i love
Konstigt att jag tycker Peter Gabriel är så dåligt och det här så bra.
Interesting album. Definitely has an 80’s gloss but doesn’t sound like anything else from the time. Tinseltown is the obvious standout. Great track. I can see why it would have a strong following. 4
Good background vibe.
fell like I‘m floating in the warm night sky.
Decent!
This was an interesting album, something I'd never heard before, while still very of the times in the 80s a unique sound. I enjoyed it.
Never heard of this band before. Two days in a row. Again, didn’t expect much. Was pleasantly surprised. I liked the odd timing and style. Easy listening.
I'm at a 3.5 so wavering between 3 & 4 stars.
Like U2 but much better
This album spread through word of mouth back during my college years in the 80s in the US (way pre-internet...). I think I bought a copy in the late 80's with a CD version. This is a more subtle and layered record. The songs are longer and the melodies build as the songs progress. The album should really be listened to as a whole, although there are some strong songs (Tinseltown in the Rain, Stay, Walk Across The Rooftops). Nowadays, I have a 1985 European LP pressing and I listened to it again on headphones, bringing a big smile to my face. An excellent and thoroughly enjoyable album. For further listening, perhaps even better is their 1989 album, Hats. If you like A Walk Across the Rooftops, you should love Hats.
That was an interesting listen, the instrumental is really nice and rich, some details that really mesmerised me. The production of the album is superb and you can tell they are scottish by the melancholy, it's like you could feel the rain pouring outside. I know the Blue Nile by "Downtown Lights" and although Hats has a more varied sound, this is a good listen . 3.5/5 rounding it to 4
One Hit Wonder
Their music i very fresh and unpredictable in some kind of ways.
I’m immediately intrigued by the collection of elements and weird samples on the first track These bass lines are crazy Vocalist reminds me of Adrian Belew of King Crimson but with some Peter Gabriel energy Arrangements are very cool. Pulsing strings, textures Rags to Riches intro sounds, very unique. Wow I love this track. Percussion on Automobile Noise is so sick. The textures all over this album are gorgeous. Reminds me of later Talk Talk records and Peter Gabriel. I really loved listening to this record. This is probably the first record on this list where I felt genuinely creatively inspired. I will absolutely be returning to this and making my way through their discography.
I was pleasantly surprised by this
A bit of a classic from my 20s...long, drawn out ambient pop songs that owe a lot to Eno and David Sylvian. A bit sanitised and edgeless now...but still pretty and full of good memories.
Growing up in Scotland in the eighties, it felt like generally accepted fact that this was one of the best albums of all time. But for some reason, I never connected with it. It's been a long time since I last listened, though. And I have to say, on relistening, it's pretty damn good. I have some minor reservations about the vocals that keep it from a five for me, but it's a strong four.
Me encantó que fuera 80ero pero super limpio. Siento que por primera vez en mucho tiempo me toca un disco donde la voz tiene espacio y puedo entender de lo que están cantando. Es como un 4.5/5
cool and chill. Sounds a lot more modern than you would think.
Dette var veldig bra. Først og fremst vokalen og de fantastiske melodilinjene. Nå håper jeg faktisk at Hats er med her. For den var hakket bedre.
Unexpectedly, I ended up listening to the album several times. It has a certain potential that will only reveal itself over time. I'll give it a provisional 4 out of 5; I'll definitely revisit it after some time has passed.
Another beautiful find thanks to this list! This young Scottish band was very perfectionist to create melancholic progressive pop record that is full of restraint and almost meditative. It's 1980s and yet not 1980s at all. The instrumentation with its loops and rhythms, the longing in the vocals - what a wonderful and special album! Can't give it 5 stars though because the songs are a bit too similar and Paul Buchanan while a great writer is a bit to samey in his delivery singing wise.
nije loše, ali na dijelove mlako i zaboravljivo EDIT: došlo mi je, ne znam kako, da ovo ponovo pustim. upravo slušam. ovo je jako dobro, izrazito sam podcijenio kada sam prvi put slušao, valjda s četvrtinom mozga i osminom ušiju. sviđa mi se!
Enjoyed this one
this is unironically one of the best bass tones I've heard on an album. really cool synth soundscapes too. Glad I randomly listened to this one.
To me this sounds like a mix between the sheer inventiveness of The Talking Heads with the early 80's new wave and post-punk muic aesthetics. Surprisingly good
Made me think of both Bowie and Peter Gabriel
It sounds like Peter Gabriel but I like Peter Gabriel.
Atmospheric background music. Liked this a great deal. Would sound brilliant just listening through the vinyl. Not much of a track by track album
magical. I love them
There has been a couple of times where I am totally turned off by an opening track but the rest of the album brings me back. One of the biggest cases here. 4/5
7/10
Maybe it was a bit slow and meandered at times but I did really like quite a lot of it so 4 stars
I do not have a very good relationship with sophisti-pop. Sure, it's not as bad as the one I have with post-punk, where I still revulse every time an album labelled as such pops up... But it has twice led to me remarking that it was "music by assholes for assholes." Which is bad form, I realize. A fellow group member, who did end up liking that second album we got, ended up catching it as a stray. But even if they didn't, it's still horrible form to critique the fans (or at least who I imagined were the fans) instead of the music. Y'know, this is the kind of shit I remember seeing in some of the less-than-stellar Pitchfork reviews, and if there's any reviews **I** don't wanna be like... So I promised myself two things: one, that I wouldn't attack the fans, real or imagined; and, two, that I would give this album a more honest, open shot. Because there has to be **something** I can get out of sophisti-pop. 'Coz, y'see, the problem I've had with the sophisti-pop I've heard so far is that it's just... Too smooth. And, like, rich — in the financial sense, I mean. If a sophisti-pop album is a house, it's a house that's very fancily decorated... But I just can't see why I'm supposed to be impressed by it. So it's all high class furniture — and? It's all still smoothed over to the point where it's not any fun. Like, even the smooth music I **like** has some rough patches to it. It's not smoothed to a shine; it's just smoothed to the point of dullness. And there's just this stink of pretension about it, overall. But does that apply here? Well... There's a review of this album on this website that says, quote: "There is no melody to this song [the title track], just seemingly disparate musical parts. The parts are clearly synced together, but there’s no constant beat. Strangely[,] I like this about the song." And upon listening to it myself... Yeah, I hafta agree with that. That **is** what I like about the song. In fact, it's what I like about the whole album. That's the roughness. Now, let me be clear: nothing else on this album sounds like the title track. Maybe "From Rags To Riches", but otherwise, the title track is alone and unique in itself. But it did help me come to figure out how I wanted to tackle this album, and, as a result, like it. See, vocals aside, I ended up viewing every musical element on this album as a box that could be switched on and off as the mood called for it. There's a synthetic element to them; this **is** halfway into the 80's, with synthpop and all... But it's still ultimately human: someone has to be behind the boxes, flicking the switches. And in fact, you wanna talk about human? Look at "Easter Parade". That song is strictly vocals and piano, with some touches of synth strings in there, and it's easily the best song on the album. I always appreciate a good solo piano number, and believe me, this is a good one. It's here where I really came to like this guy's voice. And then when he starts singing "heatwaaaaaave" on the next track... Woof, goodness. Grade A performance. But really, this makes me wonder if I would've enjoyed those previous sophisti-pop albums my group's gotten if I woulda viewed them this way. Probably now. I mean, that Sade album was way too melodic, and was actively aiming for lush melodies and elegance. To me, it ended up as MIAMI VICE background music, but that's besides the point. On this album, though, being able to take it a purely rhythmic first and then appreciating the melodic elements second... Yeah, no, I really liked this. There's some really good, pretty shit on here, especially on side two. And I gotta thank that review for helping me see this album this way. I never woulda thought to take a pop album on such a rhythmic basis. On a James Brown song, sure; all the instruments on those get treated like percussion. On a rap album, absolutely; they're all about the rhythm and flows. Or, heck, on KOLLAPS, which is industrial experimentation and as far from a commercial pop album as you can get. So, hey, even if I didn't like this album, I'd at least hafta give it credit for a unique listening lens. So, yeah, don't let track one scare you off. It's some really good, really lovely stuff. It's honestly the first sophisti-pop album we've gotten that I can say that I truly like — maybe even **love**, in enough time. And it just feels good that I managed to come across a sophisti-pop album with **something** I could get out of it. I knew there had to be something, and it turns out all I had to do was take a walk across the rooftops to find it. The people who like this: you are absolutely not assholes. Believe you me.
Album's just got a good vibe to it, what else do I gotta say? Solid 4 Stars.
Antes era todavía bastante más pedante que ahora. Y miraba con mucho rechazo los 80s. Los 80s no eran como los 70s donde había música de verdad como Pink Floyd o Led Zeppelin. No eran como los 90s donde la cordura había vuelto gracias a bandas como Radiohead o artistas como Tori Amos. Eran una década oscura en la que aparecieron cacosos como George Michael y Mike and the Mechanics, y los artistas buenos como Elton John, Stevie Wonder y Yes entraron en cualquiera. La línea George Starostin que todo melómano ñoño tuvo alguna vez. Ahora, en esa nube de pedos en la que yo estaba, siempre había excepciones: los 80s también nos habían dado a Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, la mejor banda de la historia, a los Talking Heads, a Morrissey, Talk Talk... y a The Blue Nile. Ahí fue cuando conocí a esta banda y, particularmente, este disco (siempre pensé que el sucesor Hats era más popular; así que es una grata sorpresa verlo aquí), que me encantó: estos eran los 80s BIEN HECHOS. Y no fui el único (por algo el disco está acá), y se ve en el nombre del género: "esto es sophisti-pop. Es sofisticado, no es pop mersa como Madonna o Cyndi Lauper". En fin, más allá de lo despreciables que éramos (o somos) los que alabábamos a esta banda por esas razones, tanto en los 80s cuando salió este disco como, en mi caso, en los 00s, lo cierto es que no hay con que darle a este disco. Es un disco que, si bien no escucho todos las veces que se merece, es perfecto, y es imposible no escuchar la perfección. La producción es inmaculada y fantástica. Creo que es de público conocimiento que este disco nació por razones publicitarias: los tipos habían grabado un sencillo y una empresa los contrató para que muestren lo bien que sonaban sus productos; el resultado fue tan bueno que la empresa terminó financiando este disco. Y se nota mucho. Es un disco que suena perfecto incluso hoy, la producción no envejeció nada. Y otra cosa que hace fascinante a este disco es la variedad: cada canción es bastante diferente entre sí, mostrando distintos matices y efectos. Y al mismo tiempo cada canción es parecida: son todas canciones entre 4 y 6 minutos, minimalistas con un Paul Buchanan fantasmal que nos habla desde una noche alejada y distintos efectos, arreglos y orquestaciones sintetizados con instrumentos. Mejores canciones: todo el disco es bueno, pero destaco sobre todo las canciones Tinseltown in the Rain y Heatwave. Diría que son, junto a Stay, las más pop del disco. Le pongo cuatro estrellas. El disco es un 8/10 redondo.
A surprising interesting album. This sounded like something but i couldn’t place it
This was interesting, I find the songwriting lacking but the production and actual vocal quality was pretty solid. The first two tracks were the best for me, it is almost like Bowie and talking heads had a love child but not as good as either of them at their best but this is very enjoyable. The arrangement is complex and I find a lot to enjoy with this.
If you like your art pop to be sophisticated and elegant, then this is the album for you. The Blue Nile is very meticulous with their production, paying close attention to detail, where every note and instrument is carefully placed. There are plenty of traditional instruments, but many of them are there to complement the keyboards and synthesizers. As for the drums, they’re very minimal and often electronically driven. Overall, this album is a nice, calm, and relaxing listen, with an ambient, atmospheric undertone.
Complete surprise this one. Never heard of it, them, or anything related. Dug it. Cool bass lines.
Never heard this before, it's a very pleasant listen. It's not that easy to categorise. Nice long slightly jazzy tracks that have room to breathe, sung with a scottish accent.
4/5
Don’t know any of these songs but really like it. Can see where Gang of Youths got their inspiration
It's been a long time since I've had an album here that I think was great, or even better than good. Finally got it here - almost every single track here will be entering my rotation. I loved how spacey, ambient, and downtuned this album felt. I had a great time with it overall
Very good and unexpected!
As new wave started to get long in the tooth, some of its more ambitious adherent began incorporating broader influences into the sound, including jazz, R&B, soul, electronica, and even classical touches. This traces the same development of progressive rock in the 70s, and it introduces both the same pitfalls and same possibilities. The Blue Nile fall squarely into this camp - this is classic 80s “sophists-pop” in the same vein as bands like The Style Council and Prefab Sprout. If you enjoy the ambition and creativity as I do, this is an enjoyable listen (and a fantastic sounding record because of its odd origins). If you don’t, this will come across as pretentious pablum. To each his own.
The highs here really astounded me (how have I never heard Tinseltown in the Rain?!?) to the point where I'm willing to overlook the middling lows, thanks to the overall sense of wistful romance and melancholy that warms my bones like a strong glass of scotch.
Hi-fi, chilly technology and confessional soul, slow A walk across the rooftops Tinseltown in the rain
An 80s classic.
Interesting. That was better than I thought it would be. It's definitely a product of the early 80s, and maybe a bit too experimental and pretentious, but it somehow works.
Gonna be honest, when I got this album I audibly groaned. I had never heard of this band or album before, but this thing screams 80's brit pop in a way I dislike. And honestly I wasn't far off. Got the 80's right, but it's Scottish sophisti-pop. Not that I've had a particularly bad experience with sophisti-pop on this project (except for Scritti Politti, yeah, you're not getting away from me in this review), but I always recoil whenever people come up with a genre like "sophisti-pop" or "art rock". Implying your music is somehow "better" than "low brow" genres like regular old rock or pop annoys me (I still haven't heard a single sophisti-pop song better than Kesha's Tik Tok. For all your sophistication, you can't beat out the person who brushes her teeth with Jack, lol). I know the bands usually disavow those genres names (similar to post-rock/metal and djent bands do), but still. I'm mostly ranting here as a joke aimed at fans of the genre as opposed to the artists, but yeah, those genre names are stupid as hell. That said, very pleasantly surprised by this album. Usually when I hear sophisti-pop, I imagine an album that's kinda all over the place in sound, painfully and sickeningly 80's, or just all around so up its own ass that its boring. But this record has an urgency or desperation to it that I enjoy. In a previous review I mentioned the difference between a good 80's pop record and a bad one. Good ones, to me, have a sort of melancholy to them, whereas bad ones don't and are generally just sickeningly upbeat. I'd like to amend that as I don't really get melancholy from this record. So good 80's pop records, to me, need melancholy and/or desperation in them. If its just upbeat that's content with itself, it's going to suck. And all around it's a very pleasant sounding record. Vocals wise, it's clearly Bowie-inspired. Definitely not as good as Bowie, but it works. All in all, I enjoyed it.
Interesting. Fun listen.
Quite good 👍
Great album!
Very precisely produced pop album. Very tight and punchy performances. It's production is so clear and it gives it alot of air to breathe. The synth in this album is amazing. Second song dragged a bit and the lyrics were at times a little bit repetitive. There were very interesting sound effects with the synthesizer; a very pruned and dynamic album. Walking across the roof top, rags to riches, stay and automatic noise are favourites.
The Blue Nile is somehow both nothing out of the ordinary and completely their own entity all at once. They are in no rush as they paint their chilling and melancholic stories - and it’s that calm and thoroughness that makes them stand out. Every song is not as good as the masterpiece that is “Tinseltown In the Rain”, but as a whole A Walk Across the Rooftops still delivers something else than a lot of the other genre colleagues on this list.
Прикольно, на фон в автобусе самое то
I love the little flourishes of the music. It makes it a constantly interesting and rewarding listen. His voice is soothing as well.
In what sounds like a conglomeration of Peter Gabriel and David Bowie, The Blue Nile's debut is a pleasant prog-rock-like listen. Something I'd definitely add to my playlist. 4/5
This is the first album on this list I've known absolutely nothing about and loved. The atmosphere between the instruments and vocals was amazing. Definitely plan on listening more
I really love the ambient/synth stuff, I feel like it adds a lot more dimensions to what could otherwise be quite simple parts and chords, it also fills out quite a lot of the songs: I also love how the songs are more long-form, so they don't feel like they're rushing around to be finished. This is truly quite ahead of its time in many ways, parts of the vocal deliveries sound a lot like Arcade Fire, also some of the lyrical concepts I feel like, but of course they weren't around for another 20 years. Vocals are great, both very passionate but also delicate. Favourite songs: all Overall around 8/10
Interesting album. Exceeded (low) expectations. The bass in the first song is very funky. Quite a few sounds here too. Happy to come across this on the 1001 journey! 75/100, rounded up.
Sicko shit. Hell yeah.
I actually really enjoyed this one. I’ll give it a 3.5 rounded up
Nice
Really really loved listening to this. Starts a little abstract and noise-esqe, but in the same moment begins to show off unique and inventive instrumentation that melds with beautiful lyrics to create a soundscape full of meaning. Almost everything going on here is special; delicate balance of space and tension, a wonderful and well used strings section, passionate vocals that are both standout and perfect for the music, and overall vibe that is ethereal and potent. Fav Track: Tinseltown in the Rain
Pretty cool, kinda reminds me of Peter Gabriel
I'm a sucker for sophisti-pop: the romantic, heart-on-sleeve lyricism, the often moody and sometimes groovy instrumentals, and the crystal clear production. This is the weirdest, most interesting take on that style that I've ever heard. The experiments with electronic give the album a subdued, dreamy energy. It plays perfectly for lonely or rainy nights. Not to say everything is all rainclouds; this is also The Blue Nile at their most fun and fanciful ("Stay"). A Walk Across The Rooftops gets better with every consecutive listen. I love the soaring vocals (Tinseltown in the Rain") and the great electronic experiments, clearly riffing on Steve Reich and Peter Gabriel (two artists I absolutely adore). Highlights: honestly, most of the album "Tinseltown in the Rain", "Rags to Riches", "Stay", "Heatwave", and "Automobile Noise" stayed with me long after the album ended.
Lovely, definitely feels like a grower. A night time album.
A Walk Across the Rooftops is a quiet stunner—an album that doesn't shout for your attention but slowly pulls you into its late-night, rain-soaked world. With just seven tracks, it crafts an atmosphere of reflective melancholy and urban romance, built on sparse electronics, delicate arrangements, and Paul Buchanan’s warm, aching vocals. Songs like Tinseltown in the Rain and the title track feel cinematic without being grandiose, intimate without ever sounding small. The production is beautifully restrained, each element given space to breathe, and that patience pays off in mood and emotional depth. It's not an album packed with hooks or flash, but it lingers long after it's over. Understated, elegant, and quietly haunting—A Walk Across the Rooftops is a glowing example of how less can truly be more.
I enjoyed this album very much, I’m a big fan of new wave and post punk and this album embodies every aspect of new wave that I enjoy, it’s melodic, the synths are cold, overall its a beautifully crafted album.
Tinseltown in the rain is a bop
Great album. Nice sound.
Where has this album been in my life? I loved it. In fact, I think once I've become familiar with the tracks, it will rise to a 5-star album. Lovely to be introduced!
What I love about this project is discovering bands I had never come across before. I really enjoyed this album. It was moody, experimental and beautifully varied. Will definitely listen to their second album
hazy ambient pop music, an underrated gem in the synthpop world. many tracks feel like you're alone in the middle of the night, wondering where the fog will take you. blending subtle orchestral sounds with minimalist pop music production, this album is beautifully... mysterious. it's the kind of album that makes you lost in thought... try not to bump into any nearby buildings while you circle in the street.
moody and synth heavy
This record is an inventive and imaginative accommodation of 80s pop, and its general aura, given the group's name and the album cover, was something I was prepared for. What I wasn't primed to appreciate was the extent to which its seven songs all deal w/ 'love' in one way or another. 6/7 of the tracks contain love in the lyrics. For an album like this, that seems to me a significance: 'I am in love, I am in love with you'; 'Do I love you? Yes, I love you'; 'I am in love, I am in love with a feeling'; 'The love theme for the wilderness'; 'For the love King, out in the morning air'; 'You are pretending love is worth waiting for.' The final track is an exception, but the thematics have been inculcated by then. A bit sleepy, but mostly wise and peaceful. And 'Stay' is a masterwork: 'Stay, and I will understand you.' That's love.
Dynamic and full
this was great, a new gem. highlights include: "A Walk Across the Rooftops" "Tinseltown in the Rain" "From Rags to Riches" "Easter Parade"
Really stylish and funky synth pop
This was beautiful. Sometime an album catches a mood and i listened to this with headphones on whilst my baby slept on my chest and it allowed me to absorb every note of this. Very much of its time, with a scottish core, the plaintive lyrics sucked you in. The unique dance between some really disparate sounds was carefully managed and it created a sweeping soundscape that was both engaging and challenging.
experimental mess, but it somehow works. guy singing kinda sounds like adrian belew so thats cool
So before starting this album, I looked at reviews. Probably a bad idea but I do it anyway. The first few reviews call this 'pretentious 80s new wave' and it's pretty lowly rated. I was excited because that sounds right up my alley. It doesn't immediately suck me in. Although I do like the bass a lot, it's unmistakably 80s. And sometimes that 80s bass just kills. I don't get why everyone is calling this pretentious? I dig it. The guy's voice is a little strange and takes some getting used to but it oddly fits the music. It's pretty synth heavy, but that’s to be expected for 80s new wave I guess. I think it gets better as it goes on and it flows really well. Overall I really enjoyed this and it was a little unexpected. This album is super short, just when I was really getting into it, it was almost over. I'd definitely buy this album if I ever came across it though. It would be a great record to throw on and sit and enjoy with a cocktail on a rainy evening. 4/5
What a nice treat. I really like the vibe of this album. It has distinct "80s"ness to it, but doesn't feel tacky or poorly aged. Each of the first 4 tracks were pretty strong in their own way. Fave Track: A Walk Across the Rooftops 4/5
Completely different from anything else I have been recommended as part of this process and one of few records that were completely unknown to me.
Enjoyed that, having never heard of the band before. Really well put together.
Pleasant if a little meandering :)
This reminded me of an 80’s LCD Soundsystem. I really enjoyed
High high four Had never heard of this band or album before and I absolutely LOVED this. Sounds quite a bit like Peter Gabriel, tbf, but I love Peter Gabriel too so that didn’t bother me. Atmosphere, romantic, yearning, I listened to this one again and again. Great discovery from this project.
Kinda cool. It's got that Talking Heads feel.
They have a distinctive style, which they don’t necessarily deviate from, but in an album this short it absolutely works. Tinseltown in the rain was possibly the best song of the 1980s (and one of my favourites of all time) - my father and I played it incessantly. If it wasn’t on this list, it was going to be in our other selections. So, so beautiful. Possibly not a five for the whole album but TITR rates 10 on its own.
Classic and nostalgic album for me. I love every moment.
Further adventures in the 1980s. The Blue Nile is a band I've heard touted for decades, but I've never really gotten around to them.
7/10: love the opening track for how aggressive the bass and synth are, sort of insistently tuneless at times under a very quiet, vulnerable confession of love from the singer. I like the parts of the album that are minimal, crisp, and sort of noisy, rather than the sappy and mushy-sounding ones. The album gets pretty samey for me in the middle. I loved Heatwave! I appreciated the contrast in it. Very clear different sections. Love the recurring tinny and dissonant percussion followed by bright melodies on guitar and piano. The weird sounds like jangling keys add a lot of interest.
One of the facts that has come through loud and clear on this list is that Scottish music is awesome. This album sounds great and has so much cool music in it. I had to keep reminding myself that this is not a Bowie album because the guy's voice sounds just like Bowie on several songs. Truly a hidden gem 4/5
I had never heard of The Blue Nile but this was great!
This was a solid album. What really surprised me was just how good the recordings sounded on my really nice headphone setup. I wasn't expecting that, but it was a pleasant surprise.
Ambient and moody synth-pop. I'll admit I didn't initially expect much from this album, but was pleasantly surprised - it certainly cultivates a distinct 'mood' across the board. Would listen again.
It's giving Talking Heads/Kate Bush vibes. I like this. Nice discovery.
This record is a lot better than expected. Really pretty melodies, not too loud, not too much of anything. Nice, calm, well crafted music, that is enjoyable to listen to. Interesting, complex, unexpected, sophisticated and yet, a toe-tapper.
strange and engaging
my kinda thing
This is a band I wasn't aware of. They are quite good, and sound a little bit like The Talking Heads.
It's like a folksy David Bowie!
Overall, I liked it. It is a great album for listening to at a coffee shop.
High production value, sounds like this could have been recorded far more recently. Sounds like a mix of Springsteen and Gabriel with a flair for some 80s reverb. I was a fan of the subtle delivery and passionately assembled song structure.
very good album, reminded me of the Smiths, U2, and Sting. Really enjoyed the chill sound and will listen more.
A big surprise. Think this is what 80s can be. In the best way.
Me gustó, tiene buenos temas y el bajo en algunas canciones está genial. Un disco bien rarillo y bien intenso
Oh I didn't know The Blue Nile is here that's cool. Hats better be on this list. I like A Walk Across the Rooftops too--I own it on vinyl, and Tinseltown in the Rain is easily at least their third best song. But it's just not as perfect as Hats is.
Never heard of it but quite good 80s synth pop.
A solid album of sophisti-pop that is at times reminiscent of Peter Gabriel (especially in the vocals), with hints of Talking Heads (minus the quirkiness) or even Tears for Fears. There is an openness in some of their songs that invite rewriting and an updating, but the precious bones are there. “Easter Parade” exemplifies this by coming back to crunchy, clustered 4ths and 5ths, almost as if there was a lack of center. Time stops in contemplation: the music succeeds at conveying it. If you play this song in the piano you will see even its jazz potential. This being said, it does not feel like a perfect album, but more like those unfinished madonnas of Michelangelo. Some musical strategies are effective, but somewhat trite (like phrasing verses in minor scales, and then jumping into repetitive major progressions). And yet, although the album falls into some predictability, it has retained some freshness. This is not a mere pop album of the 80s. At times it feels like it’s attempting to create soundscapes instead of traditional songs. It’s quirky, with plenty of open spaces, unclear harmonies, unresolved chord progressions, and it’s sustained with consistent lyricism. 8.5/10
Really good.
Why not?
Een soort huismerk-Peter Gabriel, zoals Cees zou zeggen. Op zich fijne jarentachtig-klanken die de tijd hebben doorstaan. Tegelijkertijd lijken de nummers nogal op elkaar en niks valt bijzonder op. Een goed cijfer omdat het genre me wel ligt, blijkbaar.
I picture this one being perfect for a rainy day, during a quiet moment on vacation, when I want to reminisce and get lost and then found again. Especially Heatwave (Rhythm Mix). I can easily disappear into that one.
When I think of sophista-pop, this is exactly what I think about. I did enjoy this album, quite possibly more than I should have considering it's not "cool" and I am very awesome. There is no upbeat music to be found here but all 7 seven songs are pretty good. What I find most interesting are the instrumental sounds behind the music, as you can tell the band worked hard to make this sound good. Would I hear them in concert? Probably not. Would I put this album on when it's a rainy day out and I'm doing some work around the house or my actual job? Quite possibly I would. Worth a listen.
Sort of like late XTC and Talk Talk mixed together. I felt happy listening to this :) A very nice surprise, might have to check out the rest of their discography.
Very interesting
I like the overall vibe - the album is probably perfect for a rainy afternoon, but I'm going to stop at a 4 because I think it needs the right mood to enjoy fully.
I've heard of this band but never listened them. As soon as I saw that Linn were the label I assumed it would sound great. And it really does, great production and separation of the instruments. Very life like sound! The songs are well put together as well, a couple stood out but I can see why there weren't any major hits. The singer's voice reminds me a lot of David Sylvain's. The songs are quite subtle and down-tempo, nice one to listen to on a rainy day.
To my shock, I really enjoyed this. Especially the first three songs. I thought that the music was incredibly diverse and his singing was different get intriguing and impressive. I really liked the variety of background music with more of a consistent singing.
Very cool very cool
Für die frühen 80er ganz gut…abwechslungsreich, bisschen wie aha…7/10
A weirdly beautiful early indie gem
Sometimes perhaps a bit too mellow and smart for my 80s filling, Blue Nile's A Walk Across the Rooftops is an excellent showing of that warm Summer night part of pop. The moments where the synths feel just subdued enough to be cozy, and the compositions are intricate whilst still having those bits and pieces to make it onto mainstream radio. It isn't a genre I ever thought I'd like, but it seems to constantly be hitting well with me, and this album is no different. The vocals aren't smooth, but it's that odd sounding, mellow-toned 80s gruff-lite that works oh-so-well, and I'm just a fan of the whole thing. It isn't mindblowing stuff, you'll find yourself a little outdone by the songs' long-winded runtimes, but those moments of just enjoying the urban, humid rain that make this album shine; enjoy the feeling as it presents itself, I say.
Sparse beautiful songs about joy and despair.
I liked this; beautiful, clean sound and a haunting voice.
good bass and interesting song writing a sound reminiscent of bowie
Conflicted. It was quite somber and ethereal, so a very melancholy listen. I think it’s 4 territory though as it was quite good.
Fancy '80s pop from Scotland. A Walk Across The Rooftops is pretty and dainty, with gentle synths and strings that gives every song enough space to breathe. Some beautiful stuff in there. Can get a bit boring depending on your tastes but I thought this was exceptional.
That was some nice pop right there. All the songs felt fully fleshed out, nice range of instruments, good stuff.
HL: "Tinseltown in the Rain", "From Rags to Riches", "Stay,", "Heatwave" like Avalon but better June 26, 2024
While I'd never heard or heard of the Blue Nile, and they do sound like most 80s AOR, they do have some experimental vibes and I loved the relatively bare production and lyrics. His voice is great too. Sometimes a bit overwrought but it was the midst of Thatcherism so I get it. I did find it mostly enjoyable and I'd definitely listen again – reminded me of dark rooms in old houses in Paddington, the fruit bats flying out of the dusk.
"A Walk Across the Rooftops" is the debut album by Scottish band by the Blue Nile. The genres assigned are sophisti-pop, synth-pop, ambient and blue-eyed soul. All fit to some extent. The bandmembers included Pat Buchanan (vocals, guitars, synths), Robert Bell (bass, synths) and Paul Joseph Moore (keys, synths). The album was produced by Buchanan and Bell and engineered by Calum Malcolm. The album had little commercial success upon its release but slowly gained sales in the ensuing years and reached #80 in the UK. It also had wide-spread critical acclaim. The self-titled "A Walk Across the Rooftops" opens the album. A slow opening, ambient, a drum beat with synth noises. The synths picks up the pace and sounds like footsteps. Dramatic vocals from Buchanan. He's in love. With a girl? With a city? Both? The next song "Tinseltown in the Rain" makes doubt that's it's and ode to Glasgow. A faster pace song. Piano synths. A jangly guitar. Strings added too. "Stay" is a little more pop. Layered synths with a catchy melody. Buchanan repeating "Stay, I will understand you." It's a pleasant song. He's begging a woman to stay. The album closer "Automoblie Noise" has a mechanical beat. Actually, a few songs on this album do as well. A melodic, dreamy piano/synth. The song is very stark. I think he's trying to mimick the never ending bustle/burden cycle of daily life. This album is atmospheric, subtle and pleasant. It's also electronic and very synth-oriented. Most of these songs are long with the music slowly building. There's space between the music and Buchanan's vocals. And Buchanan is a very good and dramatic lead singer. This is a really good album especially in that 80's synth-pop genre.
Trabajo súper interesante. Nunca lo había escuchado y me gustó. Tiene melodías y armonías originales con esa vibra ochentera sintética pero sin llegar a ser plástica.
Interesante mezcla de sonidos. Bastante experimental y no excesivamente largo. No puedo decir que me haya fascinado con algo nuevo, pero sí es verdad que tiene piezas en las que la conjunción de sonidos es muy agradable y resulta super interesante, por lo que finalmente me ha llamado la atención por la parte experimental. Es bonito de escuchar
This was a pretty solid listen. I never hears of them prior but I enjoyed it.
Amazing
This lot are severely underrated. This and Hats are both first-rate, finely wrought, richly humane, and offering emotional depth. The lyrics are thoughtful and uniquely evocative of specific moods and frames of mind, of an individual life, basically. The vocals are great. "Tinseltown in the Rain" is hopeful and melancholic at the same time, seems a triumph over melancholy in a way, a conscious and carefully taken decision to carry on. "Stay" is joyous, the sound of love-happiness. "Automobile Noise" makes for an artful and elegant close. One gets that not everyone will get such a quietly observed slice-of-life sort of record; but for those with whom this resonates, it resonates profoundly and intensely, for all its restraint and quietude.
Can definitely hear how this inspired a lot of modern indie, must’ve been a strong influence. It is space, and I like all the songs but don’t necessarily love any of them. 8/10
Great background music.
Interesting. And not bad. I actually really liked this album
Great music for a shitty day
Warm production and mesmerising melodies, a winning combination.
This wasn't too bad. I quite liked it. I saw the reviews and braced myself for the something bad. But this was pleasantly surprising.
Interesting listen. Not what I expected. Give it a try.
Actually a pretty dope album! It’s simple and delicate but each sound and note feels very intentional to create a really catchy and interesting record. 8/10
Feel like I heard something from this band back in the day, but there were a lot of bands trying this smooth new wave at the time. This is actually a really great example of the style. Tinseltown in the Rain is catchy in that perfectly 80s pop song way. This whole record could be the soundtrack for an offbeat 80s movie. Rags to Riches is a clear influence on the band Underworld. There is a lot about the song structure here that would come back again and again. You could put Stay on the radio right now and people would lose their minds. Easter Parade sounds like a Peter Gabriel song. This record is a lot better than expected. Really pretty melodies, not too loud, not too much of anything. Nice, calm, well crafted music, that is enjoyable to listen to. Interesting, complex, unexpected, sophisticated and yet, a toe-tapper.
Pretty good
This was such a cool surprise. I'd never heard of this band or album. I really liked the first few tracks but it got a bit boring towards the end.
Another pleasant surprise! Not even sure what to expect from this band I’d never heard of, but I got strong Kate Bush/80s John Cale vibes, mixed with the last couple of Talk Talk albums. Spare jazzy grooves and impressionistic vocals make for some solid art pop, definitely exploring more from this band.
I had never heard of this band and legit looked up.if David Byrne somehow had a side project I inexplicably didn’t know about. This is the shit I signed up for. I liked it a lot.
Very much of an album. Very liked.