A Walk Across The Rooftops

listened to again the side of 80s music that just doesn't hold my attention

3

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 what it would sound like if David Bowie sucked and made shitty music

dull

It was a bit repetitive and the instrumentals were far too loud in comparison to the singing. The lyrics didn't really make sense. Not the worst album I've listened too but I won't be listening to this again any time soon

Nearly sent us to sleep in the car and killed us.

#58 - Nice background atmospheric music but I didn't find it very exciting when I paid close attention to it.

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.

Another sophisti-pop album. Tinseltown in the rain is a nice famous song, the rest went in one ear and out the other. Doesn't seem to excel in its genre or borrow enough outside it to be memorable and worth revisiting.

So, this was not really enjoyable, but it was a relief after all the terrible music this list has been serving me. My only hope is that the first hundred albums I listen to are trash, and the remaining 901 albums are amazing. This list is bullshit, really Anyway, this album: Inoffensive. I certainly would have liked to hear this album in the year of its release. I think it would have been really different from everything else I was used to hearing at the time. I don't know if I would have liked it, but I think I could have appreciated it a bit more than I can now 2.75

Decent. Short.

Boring

Wannabe U2

In a word? tedious. In a few more words... boring and pretentious.

I liked this; beautiful, clean sound and a haunting voice.

After the first two tracks, which I absolutely loved, I was convinced I’d discovered my new favorite album. Then it slides into mediocrity pretty fast with generic sounding tunes, without the inventiveness shown in the first couple. Disappointing. 2.5/5

Kind of different! 3 stars

I went from Queen to this as I'm catching up with the weekend's albums. Some interesting instrumental things, but nothing super interesting, Enjoyed stay. 2*

nope

This is some very cool new wave music, with each track containing its own personality. The album opens with a fantastic avant-new wave sound, and while afterwards there are some tracks that are better than others, the group’s personality is definitely apparent, most notably in the hooks. “Stay” is the highlight for me, but the tail end “Heatwave” is a low-key epic that follows the softer “Easter Parade” very well and helps bring the album to a close, alongside the pleasant “Automobile Noise.”

good bass and interesting song writing a sound reminiscent of bowie

"Do I love you? Yes I love you. But it's easy come, easy go." That about sums up the quality of the lyrics here. Decent bass player and keyboard player, stuck with a drum machine and a talker/singer stuck in the 80s. That's what I experienced.

I was going to say I'd never heard this before, but maybe I have and just assumed it was The Cure.

3/5

A Walk Across The Rooftops is rubbish, absolutely no time for any of this twaddle. 1.

Tried this a couple of times yesterday whilst working, and again this morning (I do try and do this when someone rates an album highly), but I struggled with this one. Maybe it's because we've been overwhelmed with synth-heavy 80s stuff (particularly over the last month), which isn't really my genre of choice anyway. Feels like the singer is trying to hit notes that his voice just can't quite make, it's all quite slow and ponderous, and really doesn't grab me. 2/5.

Quite a nice listen 6/10

4 absolute great

I almost like A Walk Across the Rooftops, Heatwave, instrumental parts of Stay

Sophisticated and smooth pop music by Scottish band The Blue Nile, I liked this album even though synth/80s pop music is usually not my taste. It was a pleasant Sunday evening listen.

Just had my weekly dose of mid '80s British pop. Thanks 1001 Albums

Way too many of the albums on this list are overrated EU releases. While I didn't feel the need to just turn it off and move on, it came close. Bladn, unseasoned nonsense from the EU, which is becoming a regular occurrence

The blurb in the book for this entry was written by a journo called Bruno Macdonald. Now suspect that the guys in this band are Bruno’s mates and he just wanted to get them in there for a laugh. I can hear no justifiable reason for this album to be on this list. It’s not that it’s bad, it just doesn’t stand out in any way.

Pretty chill. Ambient and moody.

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.

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.

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.

The first track had me intrigued. The second and third glad to have discovered the band. The final two made me thankful it was over. 80s grooves = great. ballads = deafness cannot come soon enough.

hey this is a pretty cool little walk across rooftops here. bit of unsettling heights-make-me-nervous energy up this way. towards the end I have maybe had enough rooftops. but I appreciate you showing me the rooftops.

Nice.

"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.

это блюз? (чувак с бабочкой) интересная но тоскливая)

Ok

This album is rather cozy and enjoyable. I consider this a high 3/5

wasnt for me

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.

Never heard of these. It was ok. Tinseltown in the Rain was decent but on some of the tracks I just felt this vocal was strained. Not sure he was singing songs that suited his tone. But what do I know. Brandon Flowers has made a career out of it.

This was alright. I'd heard of them, but that's about it, it sounds like the beginnings of slick synch pop which bands like Aha ran away with. So I'm guessing Aha must have been fans as they sound like an upbeat version of this. No particular stand out tracks as it just groans on in its merry way. A 2 star effort.

langweilig

i fell asleep

Terrible. Had to turn off half way thru

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

Meh, this was boring. The singer sounds a bit like Sting or Bowie to me but I found the tunes monotonous. Listens: 1 Fave Track: Automobile Noise Rating: 2

Приятный синтпоп в духе времени. Достаточно драматично, чтоб это не звучало тупой магазинной музыкой с понятным битом для настроения. Некоторые песни сильно лучше других. Лучшая песня - Tinseltown in the Rain.

This was a pretty solid listen. I never hears of them prior but I enjoyed it.

Really enjoyed this one. Tinseltown in the rain and heatwave were great but Easter parade was a little boring.

It's alright ig some songs were good but others were boring

It’s been two days since I listened and I can barely remember it. Soz.

Amazing

Primeiro ouvi e achei legal, voz muito boa e um instrumental bacana. Depois de ouvir inteiro, percebi que havia me esquecido completamente do álbum. Talvez seja falha minha, mas geralmente isso indica um trabalho mediano, que até pode ter momentos de brilho, mas que não são suficientes para ofuscar sua mediocridade.

Some pretty interesting ideas and production, it has moments that reminded me of 80s Bowie.

All these songs are way too long, Paul Buchanan doesn’t sound as good as he does on Hats, and I just don’t like this production. Blegh. 2/5

Really cool child pop album, but not as good as hats. So probably doesn’t need to be on this list.

This is so boring. The strained voice going for high notes. The uninteresting tracks. I’m unimpressed

Nothing memorable about this in a good or bad way, it was a pretty standard pop/rock album

There were some interesting sounds in here, but most of the songs were so slow and low energy I just can't see myself coming back to this one.

The 80s at their worst. I would jump of those fooftops instead of walking across them if I ever have to listen again to this album.

2+

When you go shopping at the expensive hifi store, this is the kind of record they use to demo the $5000 bookshelf speakers. The production is crystal clear with soft instrumental parts and distinctive vocals over the top. The piano sounds just like a piano and the synth bass fills the room with low frequency sound. And with all recordings used for this purpose, the songs take a back seat to the enjoyment of the mechanical process of recording sound and playing it back.

Peter Gabriel takes a sedative. There was little here for me. I read about the quality hifi of the album, but my sense of this is pretty limited, so I may not be the best judge.

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

Repetitive and boring

Meh.

Great background music.

Boring

thanks i hated it

Enjoyable but very samey and got tiresome towards the end. Probably wouldn't listen to it again.

Not inspired to listen to this one again. Petty samey but the production was quite nice.

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.

Too mellow and sad but liked the background instruments

I liked "Heatwave". This is fine...

it’s ok not a huge fan think it’s a bit weird

More enjoyable than I expected. A bit samey and monotone at times but still decent.

3.5/5

I can hear that a lot of today's music is inspired by this era, but I don't really understand what's special about this one. 2/5

Interesting. And not bad. I actually really liked this album

Sort of sonically interesting but also sort of boring

Good

weird vibes

Yep. Good album.

Just kinda nice. Not brilliant. I tried to like it more, but nothing really stuck with me. I enjoyed the restraint.

A bit boring Very atmospheric

Decent album, enjoyed Tinseltown in the Rain.

A little sleepy for me. Lyrics and vocals are a little… fine. I enjoyed the electronic flair. Overall just an album that’s… fine.

Was as pretentious as I thought it would be

aight

Kind of interesting but slow.

This was pretty good stuff! I love this era and genre of music though I have never heard this band before.

3.3

No thanks.

not really for me, musically was p good, but didnt care for voice

it was cool!

I couldn't pay enough attention to it, or it was so boring that my brain turned off for a few minutes. Anyway, it's just a standard hidden UK rock album. There's nothing much to see here.

Yawn, it's alright

It was pretty unique and the guy was a decent singer but making a sort of laid back ambient indie thing doesn't give you many options to change it up, so it sounded very samey. These guys should do the opposite of putting a slow track in and have a heavy riff based banger in the middle. As with a lot of chilled albums, the lack of contrast makes it sound like it never gets out of first gear. Nice enough though, 2.5 but more a two

I loved the title track. Thought it was pretty stunning actually - miserable and dark, jazzy, thoughtful (if a touch repetitive) introspective, loud, loads of contrast. The rest of the album is pretty lacklustre. 2.5 overall, but a 5 for A Walk Across The Rooftops alone. Memorable song.

Found this pretty dull, didn't dislike it particularly, but not for me. Very 80s, but not so offensively so as some stuff we've had. Regardless I would never choose to listen to this 2

Heatwave and Tinseltown In The Rain I liked, other songs were ok, some boring. Mix of Sting and The Cure in parts.

Great music for a shitty day

Not my vibe. Sounds too much like The Police.

Warm production and mesmerising melodies, a winning combination.

Sounded like a poor imitation of Peter Gabriel

- eh - A little boring tbh but it wasn't horrible - Stay was fun but eh

- I don’t know why but this guy just feels like a creep - some interesting instrumentation -2.5 but I’ll round up

Not particularly interesting sound to me. Mostly ambient synth pop from the mid 80's

excellent mid 80s Glaswegian sounds, takes me back to those post-pub nights in Muswell Hill

Overrated. Mushy.

It was good. Nothing really stuck though

An okay album Top tracks: Tinseltown In The Rain

Here and there some nice melodies and use of instruments, but most of the lyrics were hard to bear.

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.

The gin of albums in that holy hell is it an aquired taste. You almost need someone to champion it for you to get in the right space. The common folk would brand this "not easily accessible". My review of this isn't a number but "incomplete", since I truly intend to revisit it, which isn't something I can say about some of the shit on this list.

Average 1980s pop. Others do this genre better.

Ever say to yourself, "Gee.. I want to listen to music that sounds like David Bowie, but only less... good"? Me neither, hence why I've never heard of The Blue Nile, and if there's a god, never will again. 1 lethargic llama out of 5 🦙

pleasant sounds, nothing that grabbed me

Didn’t really do much for me to be honest.

Didn't really like this. Standard 80s sound but not something I would have listened to even back then.

Interesting listen. Not what I expected. Give it a try.

This reminds me of Peter Gabriel, and I don’t care for Peter Gabriel. (ntm.)

I like The Blue Nile. Enjoyable and distinctive album -- I can't name a lot of other bands that do this sound this well, especially not as early as 1984. But it's not their best, and it's still a "7 out of 10" album (of which there are soooo many), so rounding down. Good album, sorry to rate a 3 since it's better than most others in this category.

The music isn't bad, but it is is bland and completely forgettable

Упоротый саунд, приятный вокал. Но пожалуй два, слишком упорото как по мне

A love letter to roofs

It was neither great nor terrible

Sounded like talking heads

Me gustó sobre todo la canción de 'Stay'.

Super weak sauce. Flirting with 1* badness.

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

"Can this be all we will desire?"

Boring 80s music. No wonder I did not notice this band then. Not a "1" terribly boring, but I would not put the album on again.

Sofistipop. Ni fu ni fa.

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.

Muted synthy 80s album, not bad, just a bit weird, and not super interesting. Stand-out: Heatwave

fine for what it is but this is not my bag

Good composition and lyrics. Very 80s Bowie and Gabriel

Pretty good

Interesting album, not my favorite thing ever but it does sound pretty unique. This is an '80s Scottish band and apparently this was basically unknown when it was released. There's a rumor (that allegedly is a myth) that this album was created to test some new hi-fi sound equipment and then the company liked it so much they formed a record label to release this. While I guess that's not true, I can kind of see where the myth came from. The sound is really rich and there's a lot of interesting background sounds. It's a bit synth-y at times, but less in-your-face than a lot of what else was coming out at the time, they seem more thoughtful about it all. Despite this, while I did like the album enough I feel like it didn't blow me away. While reasonably interesting, the songs dragged on a bit and left me a bit bored at times. The singer is fine but nothing particularly exceptional to me. This is a solid but slightly boring album, borderline 3.5. Favorite song: Tinseltown In The Rain Other: A Walk Across The Rooftops, From Rags To Riches, Stay, Easter Parade 3/24/24

Ugh...not another Scottish band.... I've noticed through doing this generator exercise that there is a good chance that if the band bio says they are from Scotland, that they're going to be shit. That trend holds true here. These guys sound like a shittier U2, which was a feat I thought impossible, but here we are. This bleeding hearts gloomy shit just doesn't do it for me, and the singer moans more than sings. Favourite songs: Tinseltown in the Rain, Stay Least favourite songs: Easter Parade, Heatwave, Automobile Noises 2/5

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.

2.5

Fine. Sounds like something that would play during a montage in an ‘80s movie.

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.

Unfortunately forgettable and generic. Nothing else really to say. Reading that this band was endorsed by others like Peter Gabriel really set higher expectations, which this didn't come close to meeting

Very much of an album. Very liked.

Simple and without the overly synth-y sound of the 80's.

4/5

- Unexpectedly really into this groove. Am really into the first four tracks as well as "Heatwave" -- not feeling "Easter Parade" as much, though I like it more than the other versions of this type of track I have heard. (Feels less pretentious?) - Adore "Tinseltown in the Rain" and "Stay." These synthesizers and other electronic elements, including the percussion, are mesmerizing. - This had to have been an influence on The Killers (especially Brandon Flowers).

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.

I like the minor key sounding love song but what really sold me was walking in the rain watching the sun on the space needle listening while listening to Tinseltown in the rain

This album makes you truly understand how profoundly lead poisoning affected an entire generation.

Classic.

Drawn-out, unmemorable songs.

Another band I had never heard of before this challenge, and I am genuinely glad I have now discovered them. A Walk Across the Rooftops has such a moody, atmospheric sound. It feels spacious and slightly melancholic, but never dull. The production is very eighties, yet in a restrained and elegant way rather than over the top. Tinseltown in the Rain is a brilliant track and easy to see why it became one of their best known songs. It has that sweeping, emotional feel that really pulls you in. Stay is another highlight for me. Subtle, heartfelt and beautifully arranged. I really enjoyed the album as a whole. It feels cohesive and carefully crafted, and it has definitely made me curious to dive deeper into their catalogue. Favourite song: Tinseltown in the Rain Least favourite song: None that stood out negatively Album artwork: A great cover. Very eighties, but stylish and perfectly matched to the music

Another band I didn't now. Nothing special for me, typical 80s Alternative.

No. Not essential.

Unexpectedly great!

An example of bad 80s music.

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.

Cool and synthetic but heartfelt. Love it

This is very much my vibe, classy weird 80s pop

That one was weird, I'm usually a sucker for 80's new wave and pop, but this was all over the place. Like the riffs were great and the instrumental kind of slapped, but it sounded weird when put together, like it felt like a jam session at times and not finished songs? The singer kinda sounded dead inside too, really not fitting with the upbeat sound. Not bad overall, but odd. 3/5

First time hearing closely that type of music. Which is like, experimental 80s pop, soft new wave? Anyway, the combining soft instruments leaving all the place to the mediocre voice kinda ruins the whole thing and the lyrics arent that good. Still, some songs were pretty heartfelt and some short segments are actually 5/5 when the music and voice picks up. Was gonna give it a bad rating but the weirdness grew on me 4/5

It's ok

2,5

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

Has a few nice musical moments, but I absolutely hate the singers voice.

Another album I don't understand. A Walk Across the Rooftops sounds like a knock-off album by the Pet Shop Boys. I love PSB very much, so this album wasn't a complete slog. But gosh it left me wanting more. I don't know why this was included! One of my more specific criticisms is that there was all too much repetition in the lyrics and not enough creativity.

Not at all unpleasant, but not very remarkable. Another addition on this project that I feel is kind of a waste. This is basically 80s new wave, but really dulled down; most of the things that make new wave exciting are not present here. When the music is incredibly mellow, more emphasis ends up going on the vocals -- and the vocalist is not very good. I don't really have any other thoughts, as this album just didn't leave much of an impression.

ništa posebno

I don’t know why but I straight up hate it so far (3 tracks in). I hate the vocals, and the whole repeating the same fucking line thing in a very unimpressive way. Can’t fair for it to be over at this point

3.4 - Another composed slab of sophistipop but this record is far too adult for my taste. It sounds like the dreary ennui of your morning commute, or the grim determination of gathering up all your tax documents. “Easter Parade” is particularly drab.

A Jewel of the Nile for certain! It’s a short playing album, but I have listened in loop for four times now. Huge surprise! This is what I have hoped to find more of when I decided to start this journey.

An LP where every song contains a declaration of unrequited love made while standing in the pouring rain with a boombox over the singer's head, all set to elevator music. Not my thing really

It's groundhogs day for shit music... each song equally as terrible as the last to the point where I was unsure if it was a new song or a stroke.

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.

I feel like I shouldn't like this as much as I did. The vocals really don't appeal to me, but there was something in the music that pleased me enough.

These songs certainly aren't hummable and the vocals have a Bryan Ferry quality that I don't love, but it was a nice, meditative listen.

I was starting to get turned off by the title track and opening of this album, but as it progressed I started to enjoy the vibe more and more.

Music for guys who 'aren't like the other guys' and whose favourite novel is Tender is the Night. Give me strength.

Doesnt do anything special. Why is it on this list

Meh.

Pretty bland album. Very mediocre in every aspect. Vocals unenthusiastic and I think the vocalist is trying to put me to sleep. Stop it! I'm honestly just as bored as the three people on the album cover look. 2 yawns out of 5

Pretty average.

Chill, folksy vibes

Not good not terrible

Listened 3 times, didn't find anything that i liked in it

Quite interesting, David Bowie vibes, not as ambient as I expected from the description but very enjoyable

I seem to recall having a cassette copy of this back when it was released. Listening to this album now, the songwriting is pretty terrible. Musically it's interesting in spots, but overall, it's the sort of thing that I listened to once, and then didn't want to listen to it again. As I'm going along in the 1001 and I'm a bit beyond 200 albums now, I'm beginning to form the opinion that I won't give a four or five to something unless I know I want to listen to it again. If it doesn't capture my interest enough on a first listen, there's no way it deserves a four or five.

This is definitely something that will take multiple listens to fully appreciate. On first listen there are some really great tunes, with a couple that fall flat. I really like the production and the ambient synth noises in the background. The synths and the vocals remind me a lot of Berlin/80's era David Bowie. On first listen I would give this a 3.5, but I can see this easily going to a solid 4 on further listens.

Really dug the production on this. It sounds kind of like a sound demo at times but honestly… kinda works for me. Singers voice isn’t anything special and the songwriting is bleh but, the production makes it a 3.5 leaning 4.

Like a less good version of the talking heads

Slushy ear garbage

Not for me.

Good album. Only 7 songs show the limitations of the time when this was released. Never heard of the band, but Tinsel Town in the Rain had a ton of listens and I do agree it is worth listening to at least once.

Sounds good - I never knew them!

Synths? Yes!

As described, this was an ambient album. This is however one of the better ones I've heard and includes some nice vocals.

Niets aan, wel goed gemaakt

Okay

Hmm…. A Scottish band from 1984 that I’ve never heard of. Could be interesting. Check reviews, average rating is 2.87…. Uh oh. It’s ok, nothing special. But then again, I never really “got” the rhythm sound of the 80’s. And especially the UK synth-pop bands. The drums are way too treble-y / compressed, there's way to much of the synth sounds that dominated the era. The songs are kind of down beat.... But it works OK, for what it is. And what it is is not what I prefer. 3/5, it wasn’t boring.

Really pretentious early 80s euro new wave. I am certainly not impressed with this album. This album was certainly not impressed with me even before we met. The title track never feels like it gets into a grove. It painfully works up to a more disappointing crescendo than my first time. I liken this album to what the great Peter Griffin once said about the Godfather, "it insists upon itself".

only really knew tinseltown in the rain before. this was a great listen! electronics up my alley. bleak and also hopeful.

Four stars because I absolutely love the song “Heatwave.” Really enjoyed listening to this on a moody rainy city drive yesterday. A lot of the songs do sound like the same formula as Heatwave but not as strong.

Je décèle (à raison?) une influence de Peter Gabriel. Un album qui me séduit par son côté insaisissable. J'ai écouté une version double sur Apple Music, certaines reprises dans le 2e album m'ont tannée, mais à la première écoute j'étais plus réceptive.

Bien

Too slow

the same song ten times. . . just the tempo changed

Good one, and all new to me. Definitely needs more listens.

Wow, how did this make it on too any list other than " albums that's were ignored on release for good reason"

A bit like Bowie, but less exciting, fantastic bass playing though

Was okay. Heatwave was nice to listen to but man did it drag. Didn't care too much for the vocals. Not my kinda thing.

This album was great! Especially the sound.

Admittedly, I usually am a bit nervous whenever I get an album where I’ve never even heard of the artist; I have no idea what the genre will be before I listen, much less if I will enjoy it or not. I was very pleasantly surprised by this; despite having had absolutely no idea what to expect, this album surprised me with how good it was. It’s interesting, experimental, and genuinely excellent. How have I never heard of this before?

Bit too 80s for me, but it wasn’t terrible

Fome

Nothing to say really

Impressively produced pretentious crap. The mix and production is the star but the songs I could live without. I had to read the Wikipedia article to get an idea why this album is on this list and after reading that I'm still not sure.

Awesome! Perfect rainy day music.

A new discovery (for me). This is soft, melodious, yet expansive. So many influences stem from here. I will return.

Peter Gabriel vibes “Sophista-pop” GLESGA

I finished the album but I can’t really remember what I heard

bleh

great stuff, and some wonderful ambient adjacent pop, but its missing the amazing songs of there other album, Hats

Boring

I'm not sure how too feel about this one. Its got some cool aspects, uts not bad but it is weird

It's definitely not my thing. I can see why people love it so much but for me, while I enjoyed what i heard, it's nothing i would put back on to listen to.

This is an odd one. I love the mix. The instrumentation is eclectic and doesn't sound anywhere near as dated as their contemporaries. I personally don't mind somewhat atonal meandering music either. The lead singer's voice was nice and fit the band well. But it feels unnecessarily inaccessible. They hit me the same way TV on the Radio did back in the early 2000's. I actually rather enjoyed most of the music I heard, but it was all so hip and I was too square to be allowed to the party. This is that but from the 80's. I bet this was super trendy in the right circles.

Just ok Feels alittle stereotypical 80’s

It's just kinda boring

Schwere Kost. Definitiv ein Album, dass man mehrere Male hören muss, bis es sich einem erschliesst. The Blue Nile waren Lieblinge der Kritiker.

This was the type of music that youbknowvhotvhatdvin the 80s, but now just plays like background music to your everyday life. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t exciting. Listen again: not intentionally, but it’s not that bad Purchase for my collection: no Favourite Song: Easter Parade (I like the piano)

you can listen to it, but you don't have to...

Boring. Waste of time.

I enjoyed this overall. It didn't make a massive impact on a first listen, but I appreciated the sound, which took me back to 1983/4: shiny production, tinkly sounds, introspection. Lots of apparent influences: Peter Gabriel, Japan. Overall a bit earnest for me, but I think I'd get more out of another listen, and it would have been interesting to see them live.

So very 80s. Loved it.

I hadn’t heard of this at all but it was an enjoyable listen of its era. Loved the bass. Listen to again - Automobile Noise

This was a bizarre album for me. It started off great and I thought it had 5 star potential. The first couple songs were catchy, but then the back half of the album dragged. Those slower songs were a slog to get through, even though it’s a relatively brief album. 4 for the good songs, 2 for bad the bad. Let’s call this a 3.

Wow. What a beautiful album. This music never came close to my listening experience. I am pleased to learn of it now, and thank this web site for the exploration.

David Byrne on Ambien. Blegh. So boring.

I liked it at first. It was interesting and nostalgic, though I’d never heard it before. But then it got tedious and boring. Meh.

I thought I was listening to Peter Gabriel at times.... I don't know these guys. I like Peter Gabriel so them reminding me of him was a plus for them. Standouts: A Walk Across The Rooftops, Tinseltown in the Rain, From Rags to Riches, Easter Parade, Heatwave. I Love This Life (Bonus Material). 4/5

What is this bass? It's so good. Epitome of adult music. There is nothing childish at play here.

It’s fine I suppose, albeit a little goofy.

Never heard of this band before but it was a nice surprise!

Can’t get into it

boring

Chill vibes. Vocals a bit grating.

Tinsel Town in the rain is a classic Great album, great vibes 4

Neato

Not at all good.

Helt skön pop Lite forgettable

I don't have many opinions on this one, it was fine?

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.

1. a uualk acrozz the rooftopz - 0 2. tinzeltouun in the rain - 0 3. from ragz to richez - 1 4. ztay - 0 5. eazter parade - 0 6. heatuuave - 0 7. auto noize - 0

I do like the violins, but nothing I’d really come back to

Leaning more towards good than meh

Something different pretty decent

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

Short stack of meh

Meh.

I thought Hats was their big album - never even heard of this one. New Romantic sounding but also kid of a jazzy post rock. Of the time maybe production wise but very cool!

I feel with this, just like with Hats, that some people that spent their teenage years wandering around in the rain worrying about girls might have liked this but if you missed that moment of vulnerability you would never quite get it. Tinsel Town in the Rain is great though.

Easter Parade was nice the rest sounded like a Scottish version of Sting singing over a million synthesizers

Couldn’t finish

I like that The Blue Nile have their own sound. And there are a few good tunes on here. It's definitely a mood. The voice s beautiful, and this didn't outstay its welcome at 38 minutes. One for another listen at some point.

This is an album that has layers. It's quite a debut and sounds like little else from 1984. I love the way each track builds up. Yes, it lacks balls. It's a lot smoother than all the cock posturing that the 1,001 Albums list has served up of late. Shaven balls. That feels nice.

hmmm, it was quite enjoyable and i didn’t mind it so much, it was crazy how long each song was on for though, it was interesting and reminded me of tears for fears and donnie darko and something else that i can’t put my finger on rn. but it was cool.

Nr. 51/1001 A Walk Across The Rooftops 4/5 Tinseltown in the Rain 3/5 From Rags to Riches 2/5 Stay 4/5 Easter Parade 3/5 Heatwave 4/5 Automobile Noise 3/5 Average: 3,29 Really liked the melancholic voice and the toned-down usage of instruments

Best Song: A Walk Across The Rooftops. "Least bad song" would be the better descriptor. The bass was alright I guess? Worst Song: Heatwave. I'd really grown annoyed with the whole package by this point. Overall: I can't exactly pinpoint why, but the main feeling I get when I listened to this album was "pathetic". Maybe it's because the lyrics had this desperate, yearning, "pick me" quality to them, but I wished he'd grown a backbone before the album ended.

Some beautiful songs with pristine production. I liked the first half more. The early songs have drama and momentum. The second half is slower and wore on my patience a little more. “From Rags to Riches” in particular is very pretty.

Cool sounds. I think at this point in the 1980's musicians were starting to get comfortable with synths and digital sounds and how to effectively use them in a way where they didn't stand out This record has a lot of cool ideas in it. I love the arpeggiated synths throughout- the ones in "From Rags to Riches" sounds like a callback to The Who's "Baba O Riley". The singers voice in this track is also such a nice contrast on top of this smearing of digital sounds. Very cool blend of organic and inorganic. I think I like this more than the other 80's albums that have come up on this list recently. It feels more daring, and more open to pushing structure.

Paskaa oli mutta silti experimentaalia ja siitä pisteet kotiin..

Boring. Unimpressed. Snooze fest. Disappointing. I’d hate to be one of these guys moms and have to pretend like I liked their music. 2/5

Couldn’t get into this one.

Mid tier

Interesting sound, quite like

Booooooring… i dont understand why musicians think it is necessary to repeat the chorus for 7 times at the end of a song. End it! Songs were too long and went nowhere. Could have trimmed quite a bit of fat and been better

And exercise in 80s production technique without songs to back it up. 2/5

It was ok, a real 80s vibe to it

Sounds like Peter Gabriel. These lyrics are wild. Some of them made me laugh. It’s like he is just naming stuff he sees walking down the city street. I liked track 8 I love this Life.

New discovery for me. Not bad “Tinseltown in the rain” is kind of a jam

Like The Smiths but not as good and way moodier.

Tinseltown is still amazing but as a whole album don't enjoy it all that much