Reviews (page 5 of 8)
Sérstaklega fínn rytmagítar og Lemon firebrigade er mjög gott stöff. En ég fæ mig samt einhvern veginn ekki til að toga hana upp í fjarka. Við skulum segja að hún endi í 3,4.
Okay, this album KILLS me because the instrumental writing is sooooo good (especially in beginning of album). Engaging, great rhythm and variety of instruments. But then the vocals absolutely ruin it and take it to some sad pop world. Would be much improved without vocals in my opinion lol. Anyways, without vocals I would give it a 4 but they brought it down to a 3 for me. There were some really nice groovy instrumental bits. The marimba and brass in Love Plus One dancing over the groove laid down, bongo and winds in Lemon Firebrigade followed by fun brass fanfare.
Enjoyed it at first, but the less it changed the more annoying it got
Whoa. I wonder which one got the 100th haircut? That’s the big story. My money is on the yellow tie man. He’s really chewing the scenery in the middle here. Apparently this is new wave that people think shouldn’t be part of this list. Classic inclusion. Someone should make a NEW list and only include albums I like. I’m in full support of that. This is actually kind of fun. The jazz interlude, the upbeat guitars. Sounds like Devo featuring jazz. That is absolutely a compliment. This is Sims menu music with La La La’s. El Terriblé. Please move on. Oh he says the song title right away. I do hate ambiguity. Cut right to the heart of the matter. Especially when you’re dissecting such hard hitting issues as citrus based fire brigades. Elevator music with cool bass sections. I somehow don’t hate this all that much. This week on Odd Company, trouble is afoot when little Abner firebombs the school’s utility shed. Will Mama serve some parental justice or will she join in on the fun in the name of a united ireland? All that and more on Odd Company this Friday night during ABCs primetime weeknights! I don’t like this song but the saxophone is fairly cool. It’s less 80’s pop saxophone and more jazzy. Why is this so good? Reminds me of Gang of Four. Missed opportunity to call your band “Gang of Six” considering there are indeed, six fellas here. I’m available for consult gents. This song was boring. We’re so back. Firstly. The song is called Baked Beans. While as a food all beans are abhorrent, the concept? Funny. The song? Incredibly fun. Snow-y-y-oh-oh. Why must this be so back and forth. This sounds like death. A slow death. This is playing quietly on the radio next to your deathbed while you flatline. You realize the last strains you’ll make are against the confines of a bed you never asked to be in. Let the darkness envelope you. This is excellent. Once again we have flashed from a melodramatic stench pile to the aromatic, blossom-laced shores of this funky ass jam. Too many stink based words in this track review. I want to sincerely apologize to the good barbering crew down at the pelican haircut lounge. Is this Creed? Am I about to watch an Al Snow comeback package? No. We’re back in the doldrums. Excuse me is Captain Autumn there? Yes I’ll hold. Uh huh. Are you Australian? Oh no. That’s strike 1. This was a fun closer. Nothing crazy. Boys. I have to hand it to ya. This was a good time. One second we’re buying cable knit sweaters, the next we’re going a fall photoshoot, and after that, we’re hitting up Long & McQuade for a quick bass lesson. This is the best autumn ever. Let me know if you’re ever in town again, and maybe I’ll be the 101st haircut. 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), Lemon Firebrigade, Kingsize (You’re my Little Steam Whistle), Baked Beans, Love’s Got Me in Triangles
Haircut 100 were the archetypal Smash Hits band back in the early eighties - clean cut young men with boy next door good looks, and I’m afraid to say I was a little bit dismissive of them as lightweight disposable tinkly bonk pop. The lyrics didn’t make any sense as far as I could tell - why was he so worried about going down to the lake, for starters? Anyhoo, aside from the singles which instantly take me back to that halcyon summer of 1981, the rest of this album is surprisingly good. It’s much more in a Latin jazz funk style than I was expecting with slap bass, horns, marimbas and tinkly pianos. I would happily listen to a couple of tracks from this on a sunny evening with a cocktail in hand and not give two hoots about why he is singing about green escalators. Favourite-shirt-tastic!
Quite pleasant, a little bit jazzy, a little bit funky. Cozy cafe/pub music, I'm not being ironic. I like it. Probably above 3 but not enough to get a 4. Love "Lemon Firebrigade".
In the 80s there was a particular strain of preppily dressed music critic who were convinced Nick Heyward was a genius. Turns out they still walk among us.
Nice sidebar to music of those times.
A pretty fun album that could’ve done with being a couple of tracks shorter or a bit more variance. It did get very samey by the end
Pretty funky, but cool.
I enjoyed this one, even if it is a little 'generic British new wave' as others have said. I can see this being a great album to throw on for a Satruday morning while baking or something. It's got some great bass lines, which unfortunately are offset by the cheesy 80s sax that is prominent in a lot of it. I'm not sure I'd actively seek this out, I mean I'd definitely pick Duran Duran or Talking Heads over this, but if I randomly saw the album somewhere I'd probably buy it. 3/5
Enjoyably cheesy
not sure how many boundaries this breaks but i had a good time with it. the on the dime genre switches are pretty compelling & the horn parts were fun!
Nothing mind-blowing here, some pretty smooth & rhythmic new wave with that signature 80's sax. Some fun was had.
I have no idea how this is an essential album. Not good or bad enough to be memorable.
Sort of like Duran Duran, but unyieldingly cheery. It was fine for a while but got grating.
Yep, this is certainly music that I listened to. Reminded me of Duran Duran. Wait… what did I just listen to? It’s gone already? I mean, it was fine, but it’s another one to add to the pile of albums that were fine but were forgotten as soon as I finished listening. Favorites were Love Plus One, Fantastic Day, and Snow Girl.
Liked this one. Don't remember too much of it, but it was fun
Oh wow. Another 80s British new wave album. There is nothing interesting I can say about this album. It's fine. It's not the worst thing I've listened to this week, but it's not great either. The style is pretty interesting... for like 3 songs. Then the album gets repetitive. Still, the style isn't bad, so the album is far from infuriating. The singing is there. It's not bad, but it also doesn't interest me. The writing exists too. It's a bit repetitive, but it could be worse. The songs are decent. None of them really stick out to me much. I wouldn't call this album bad, but I also just don't really feel anything special with this one. Still, it's okay. Low 3/5, bordering on 2.
Duran Duran with a bit more punch. I like the powerful sax and the funky beats. The drum sound is pretty solid with some decent fills and intros, the guitar tones vary throughout which makes it a little more interesting. Not really sure how else to sum this up. It’s not what I listen to, but I’d rather listen to this than a full Duran Duran album. Given the right mood I would go back to this one, but I don’t consider it essential. Outdated and mediocre, not enough difference between songs so 3.
I thought this was fine, there was enough going on to keep things interesting.
Ultimately I can't say I love the genre much, but what these lads have done with it is class. Equal parts corny and horn-y
Good. I’ll listen again when I’m more in the mood for something like this.
This is a high three. It's a fun, groovy, fast album with some really fun stuff in there. That intro track is killer, along with some of the instrumental songs. Only issue is that every song blends with one another, not much variety really.
Was more enjoyable than some New Wave bands. Still not my favorite era but there’s some kitsch value some days.
A pina colada in a cheeky part of London was melted down into the shape of a saxophone and this is what it sounded like.
Pretty fun listen. First time through it was sort of a blur, somewhat indistinguishable songs. Second time through the production stood out, a few songs and moments. The intro to Milk Film was pretty cool, like Vampire Weekend. The outro to King Size was pretty sick too. It sounds like these guys were into jamming and they had to sort of work to get their songs organized. I bet they were great live in a small bar. Some British terms and lyrics that can take you out of the groove, like “you’re my little fab one” Some pretty bad tunes as well. 35 minutes would have been more appropriate.
Was between 2 and 3 stars on this. Went with 3 because even though it kinda sucks it's pretty fun to have on in the background. Great inscrutable band name and album title. Who the hell are these guys? Has a real Wham-lite vibe...just confidently and unabashedly goofy. So much sax on this album. Every song is so corny and lame that it's pretty endearing, even if not very good
An interesting mix of genres that sometimes is very funky and at other times sounds very calypso-like. It didn't mange to grab my attention super well, but it was an alright listen Standouts Lemon Firebrigade 3/5
some songs are great, very fun sound, others a bit boring, very era-typical sound
Very fun! Not likely something I would return to repeatedly though
Never heard this before, it was fun!
Fun and upbeat but ultimately not that memorable. Favorite song was Love Plus One. 5/10
Definitely a fun groovy album. I could see really having a nostalgic spot for it if I was around at the time. Puts me in mind of the Talking Heads meets Echo and the Bunnymen. Fun, but didn't stand out. Album cover: (B-)
This was not bad, and I can see why some people may love it. There was a lot of great saxophone on this album and I was really feeling that. Unfortunately a lot of the songs felt like Talking Heads but less good? My favorite was "Love's Got Me In Triangles". The sax was amazing. "Calling Captain Autumn" is a good example of a song that has a lot of Talking Heads energy but isn't as good. The saxophone comes on the track and distinguishes it from Talking Heads, but it can't carry an entire album by itself. 6/10 (9/10 for the saxophone player).
Love plus one is a great song that I play a lot. The rest sounds kinda like that but if this was twenty minutes of pop bliss I could kind of see the justification of it being on this list. But it's not.
It’s like Duran Duran and English Beat had a baby. I wish the songs had more sax though.
Okay white boys! Surprisingly funky.
The singles are great, but I can see why they didn't really do much after this album. The rest of the songs are more-of-the-same filler, in the main. A lovely reminder of that time, and a sound that really reflected what was happening in British music at the time, but the 3 stars are mainly for the (admittedly brilliant) singles.
I'm unlikely to ever score this kind of music highly as it's not to my taste, although 3 stars can be seen as a positive score for this album. I thought it was alright/listenable. Haircut 100 have nothing on Electric Haircut though.
there are a couple of good songs on here, it is all very 80s from the style of music to the album cover. It was ok but I probably won't be coming back for another listen
3.5/5. I enjoyed this. Some songs ware better than others, but overall, I'd say this is a pretty fun album.
I was 16 when this came out and me and most of my mates looked like these boys. Music from the 80s is much maligned but I can tell you coming of age, listening to and going out dancing to this sort of music was ace! It was all quite joyful and a bit frivolous but great fun too. If you wanted to be a bit more serious you had The Bunnymen and New Order to keep you in line. I’m not sure if this would be an album I would necessarily say you HAD to listen to but one you SHOULD listen to as it’s good fun and will make you smile and it might just make you dance around your living room as it did with me! Enjoy!
Gear: Dunu SA6 Artwork: 👔👔👔👔👔 Production: 🤯🙂👌 Music: 🎶🌞💖 Rating: 👔👔👔(👔)/5
i feel like i've heard this before
Classic 80s album. I knew the hits but that’s all.
Better with a few listens
Incredibly 80's
This was fun, but I'm not sure I'd ever listen again.
Disco morphed to new wave pop
A very funky and very 80s album. I enjoyed listening but did find it a bit repetitive, and was feeling a bit over it by the end. Other people commented on the similarity to Duran Duran and I agree. Lemon Firebrigade had this buzzing background noise which sounded just like my phone vibrating. I legit spent half the song constantly looking back at my phone to see if someone was calling me lol. Favourites: Love Plus One, Kingsize, October is Orange
*chicka-dun chicka-dun* That riff guitar beat drove the whole album. But I’m not going to lie, it had me moving and grooving. At times I thought I was listening to the Talking Heads, at other disco. The album didn’t have enough variation and the lyrics left me wanting. Other than that, this wasn’t bad.
3.5/5
I didn't expect much but its actually ok.
Britisk new wave poprock, groovy
Early 80s pop/alt. Love Plus One has a nice horn section near the end. Lemon Firebrigade is a pleasant tune, jazzy. Calling Captain Autumn is also nice. Enjoyable listen although not much variation.
I enjoyed this. If definitely felt very 80s club scene. I don't think I could listen to this album again in full, it definitely isn't enough to my taste for that, but if I was in the 80s, and dancing in a club there's a few songs I'd definitely enjoy hearing.
I thought this record was a lot of fun, however, a bit repetitive at times (mainly the drumming with it's typical "boom-tsk-bap-tsk", for lack of a better term). I also find the singer has a pretty limited range, but I loved the rest of the instrumentation. The bass player is fantastic and kept me involved, the horns I really enjoyed, the guitar is super funky and fun. Overall, it's a solid record, but when comparing to the other records found throughout this list, it doesn't hold that same "wow" factor that others can make me feel. 3/5
Oh cool another British pop band. I did kind of dig the sound but most of it blended together.
Funky '80s pop album. Explores all kinds of disparate musical sounds too, very tropical and danceable. Didn't find much worth saving but this one's alright. Favorite tracks: Lemon Firebrigade, Love Plus One. Album art: Six guys, no burgers or fries in sight. They're laying down on a bunch of leaves, probably talking about the last day of high school tomorrow. Framing is kind of cool. 3/5
Pleasant fun pop although rather dated.
These guys knew their funky New Wave lane and definitely stayed in it. I appreciate Love Plus One for being reminiscent of Steely Dan in its chord progression. It’s New Wave. It’s hoppy. There’s some bland filler, but it’s good by me. Me likey.
cool
Not bad for new wave. 3/5
I like when it sounded like the Persona soundtrack. Favourite track: Lemon Firebrigade.
I would definitely listen to this when no one else is around. A ya yayaya YA ya ya. Three stars.
Repetitive guitars but over all not bad.
Thoroughly enjoyed this. Was excellent as background music while working in the shop. Not sure if it's a "sit down and listen" kind of album.
favorite shirts- 6 love plus one- 6 lemon firebrigade- 5 marine boy- 4 milk film- 5 king sized- 5 fantastic day- 6 baked beans- 5 snow girl- 5 or 6 ive heard worse
It has a clean sound with pleasant melodies and some fine new wave singing. You could do worse than to pull this record off a shelf and give it a spin. https://open.substack.com/pub/richcain/p/project-1001-pelican-west-by-haircut?r=4ztyq&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web
ihan kohtuullinen pop-rock-levy. ei nyt kuitenkaan neloseen yllä.
Not bad, good funky vibe. Nice use of jazz elements, but it does get a little “70’s porno”-ish. Does also get a little “meh” by the end.
The Good: All the lads did get a haircut before the album cover was shot. The Bad: The autumn leaves probably screwed with their karma. The Ugly: 2 members are either really cold, or 4 members are really hot… There´s the ´80s we all love, and then there´s the ´80s that only a few people recall. I belong to the first group, and that group couldn´t be bothered by a inventive bandname, nor an un-explainable album name. However, I did enjoy the jazzy aspect of this here new-wave which was copied by several bands afterwards to much greater success. Thus, 3* even if they only deserve 2
Meah.
Almost skipped this, I assumed i knew what it was all about . Pleasantly surprised by some very funky 80s fun pop. Glad i listened to it. 3.5
Really fun instrumentals, lyrics weren't anything special but that's not the focus. Very enjoyable and relistenable
This band had some playing chops. I like that they had brass and I was digging the bass. The music is bright and fun but not especially my thing. A lot was same-sounding. All I could think of while listening was '80's MTV.
This is decent new wave. I just don't see what is essential about this. I'm sure I'll never go back.
I only liked 1 song. Not really my cup of tea.
So Jazzy, So fun I love an old school genre bend. These feels like the precursor to Steely Dan in alot of ways. I know it may not be the greatest record on this list but it has such charm and lemon firebridgade is the clear highlight as I sit with this more I think it is a bit samey but unique
***An ok album, many tracks sounded the samw
This one was ok - I wanted to like it more but it all sounds the same. Interesting New Wave sound with some other fusion. Great instrumentals, though. 7/10.
Not bad. Good for listening to while working.
A fun listen but not very remarkable in other ways.
Brit rock x disco. I wont be taking questions.
Not my kind of music. Found track 1 to be a bit obnoxious. However, there were a few I couldn’t help but nod my head to.
Pelican West is the debut studio album by Haircut One Hundred, originally released in 1982. These guys are commonly seen as a new wave band, but they sound a bit more pop to me. Lots of horns in the corny 80s way. The bass on here is super funky. A lot of the songs are very dance-able. The band doesn't seem to take themselves too seriously. Sure, there was better stuff coming out at the time but this was still a fun listen.
It is a fun album but, not one of the best.
Fun, lightweight music. I liked the quick strumming guitar riffs and the funky influence I thought I heard throughout. If you ask me there's no need for this album to be on the list though. The music was fun but felt pretty boilerplate, and had pretty frivolous themes. What groundbreaking influence did these guys have? The album review did not convince me of any.
Nett, unaufdringlich, kein Highlight 3/5
Liked what I heard. Need to revisit…
I've heard some of the songs, but don't recall listening to the album. Knowing Haircut 100 just from their popular songs, I always thought they were interesting and a little off-beat. Wasn't sure what to expect from the album, but there is a lot to like. The rhythms are not typical for an 80's band.
Yeah, it was OK, but I was getting a bit bored by the end.
It's all very lighthearted and 80s. I didn't mind it but it's doubtful I'd actively listen to this again when there are other bands from that era that stand out a bit more. The rhythm was good. Album was maybe too long. I don't think John Hughes used any Haircut 100 songs in his films, but I got the high school in 80s vibes from this one.
It was fun but it didn't stand out
These are tight pop songs that aren’t quite memorable but so pleasant - especially when the rhythm guitars and percussion create a bright little “pop jam.” In the best moments I’m reminded of early Talking Heads, or live Talking Heads, or if the horns kick in…end game Talking Heads. I wish I could round up to 4 but it’s not quite there - best 3 you could ask for.
Not a single outstanding track but constantly nice funky tunes of guitar, rhythm and brass instruments. Buoyantly through the day!
2/3
Favorite Track: Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)
I surrendered to the horns. I didn’t really expect to like this album as much as I did, but it has some jams.
3.5. Grew on me as it went. Overly repetitive in its textures, and I especially didn't care for the sax. But the ones that were less repetitive were really pretty good.
"pretty boy pop" , really fun especially the brass aspects but kinda forgettable due the weak lyrics and similar sounds throughout the album
What's with the new wave voice affect that happened during this time period? The sax was clutch and this passed the time
Shades of Huey Lewis and the News, a little bit of Talking Heads, Pet Shop Boys, etc. Cool early '80s vibes.
Never knew they were so jazzy!
better than i remember. thanks for the memories
I listened to the whole album. It wasn't bad, but I find that the next morning, that it is forgettable.
Talking heads vibe but can’t compete so 3
When pop music has high-level musicianship, it seems it never quite takes off here in the United States. Case in point, I have never in my life heard of this band or this album and cannot quite understand how they were not as big or bigger than any other 80s pop band.
This surprised me! Exuberantly energetic especially favorite shirts. This album is for the cool dad that wears a tie during the week but still knows how to get loose!
I feel like I'm starved for some 80's music that isn't terrible punk this list seems to like that I'm giving this a higher rating than it probably deserves, but a little more new wave, a little less try hard "guitar" band. I guess a 3?
Easy listening beach music.
This was fun. Reminiscent of taking heads and oingo boingo, but maybe that's just the sound of that minute in music. Liked the horns.
Upbeat, catchy, funky jazz pop that just lacks a sense of soul. The lyrics are unfortunately about as deep as a puddle, but the music is fun to listen to.
3 1/2 stars really, for early '80's fun to dance with memories.
aight 5/10
It's ok. A couple solid songs and a lot of really so-so stuff. 2.5 bumped to a 3.
XTC and Talking Heads take the "Love Boat", with large swabs of funk and lounge-jazz in their luggage, along with a few disco handbags and a tiny Steely Dan purse for nights out at the casino. Given the description given up there, you can expect the music on *Pelican West* to be a little too derivative--and make no mistake, it very much is. Yet I have to admit the musicianship on this record is so stellar that Haircut 100 managed to make me lower my guard so as to enjoy most of their songs for what they are, quite surprisingly. *Pelican West* comprises two sorts of compositions: some full-formed songs whose vocal hooks aim at the charts ("Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)", "Love Plus One", "Fantastic Day"...) and some longer cuts whose pivotal contents are mostly instrumental in nature ("Lemon Firebrigade", "Kingsize"...). This mix makes for a somewhat disjointed experience, most of it pleasant if you can put your head back to the time the album was released, but maybe lacking in lyrical and topical substance overall. Worse, *Pelican West* lost me during its underwhelming second side, whose lower point is probably that "chromatic ascent" in the middle of "Love's Got Me In Triangles" (God, how I hate that lazy-ass, unimaginative trick). By that point, the overreliance on major chords / harmonies was already tiresome for me anyway--XTC and the "Heads had ways to turn that same reliance on major keys into an asset, thanks to their off-kilter energy and thirst for daring experimentation, but unfortunately Haircut 100 didn't take as many pages from their books as they should have. And, going to the other side of the musical spectrum that's relevant to this LP, their sense of pop catchiness is not honed enough to make a lasting impression in that regard as well. Except on the wonderful XTC-adjacent "Nobody's Fool", who was only a non-album single at the time, unfortunately... I'm still glad this app and the 1001 albums book made me discover Haircut 100. Listening to them feels like getting acquainted with Hot Chip's dads and hidden forerunners--as if they were a missing link between that other geeky-looking, more recent groove-oriented British act and their far older influences. Odd how exploring music history makes you associate artists that look like "reincarnations" or variations of each other from one era to the next. As when you discover that Terry Hall's Fun Boy Three, played by Spotify after this Haircut 100 album, had an album that sounds a little like an earlier and flimsier version of Young Fathers' own genre-defying music... Unfortunately, my CD shelves dedicated to New Wave / British eighties pop genres are full as of now, so there's no way I can add this admittedly very decent Haicut 100 LP to my own list. There are still too many elements in it that rub me the wrong the way, as minor as said elements are. And, yeah, before any of you pops the question, I *do* buy secondhand copy of albums I add to my own list of "essential" album (in CD versions, and not in vinyl, otherwise I would end up surviving on food stamps, lol). In my opinion, it's the best way to get involved in this app in a serious enough manner, and balance open-mindedness with enough critical high standards. Wondering if other app users do the same thing as I do. Alas, I'm not a Reddit user as of now, so I can't discuss this with other music fans that are in forums relevant to this app. Maybe one day I'll find some time to go to those forums, and for instance exchange views about our individual assessments of this LP. In the meantime... 3/5 for the purposes of this list of "essential albums" 8/10 for more general purposes (5+3) Number of albums left to review: 140 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 369 Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 218 Albums from the list I won't include in mine: 277 (including this one)
A perfectly pleasant slice of early 80's UK pop, no doubt still being played regularly on mainstream "bland fm" radio stations. It took me back to a simpler time (ie my youth), which was nice, but in fairness I don't think it deserves to be on a 1001 Albums list.
Funky and good 3.5
Standard new wave pop. There’s nothing offensively bad on here. In fact, there are a few great songs, but this whole thing feels like it was overshadowed by their contemporaries, who were simply making more interesting new wave music. I can see why this thing got left behind.
Album 453 of 1001 Haircut 100 - Pelican West Rating : 3 / 5 Was ready to just write this off as a Duran Duran copy but it turned out to be a good listen. There aren't any songs I'd remember but the album as a whole was fun. Certainly takes you back to the time when this stuff was at the top of the charts. I would have pegged it a little later than 1982. Not bad if it is what you're looking for.
The instrumentals are pretty cool. Funky jazz sounding stuff.
This passed me by in the 80s but I'm not sure why. I liked it. Vocals are interesting and sound new. Some cool sounding instrumentation. Horns and percussion/ drums are excellent. almost a 4
This album was so fun. Never heard of it before and am excited to listen more.
The first half is wonderfully funky and exciting. Unfortunately the second half loses some momentum, but it never stops Pelican West from being a fun record.
first listen definitely fun and funky, a little forgettable
Pretty catchy
Some ok stuff in here but lots of trash
Copacabana mixed with Pet Shop Boys and a sprinkle of Wham! mixed in. Weird but I like it. Love Plus One is the standout track and the one I recognized.
I suppose there are worse ways of getting white boys into funk. I’m struggling to think what to do with Haircut 100, because while I don’t think this is objectively bad as music, in fact I think it’s quite good, they’re not really a classic or an influential band. I asked my parents, who are of the generation to have listened to them, whether they had any thoughts and all they did was quote song lyrics at me. So they’ve clearly stuck in the minds of certain individuals of that generation, but not really stuck around in popular imagination. I’ve never heard any of these songs before, and while I do like them, I’m not sure outside of a couple whether I’d actively seek out listening to them again
If there was ever an album where you could hear the decade it was from. A good, enjoyable listen with good musicality and some saaaaaaax. All blended together in the end with only a few actually standing out.
Nothing too exciting, not too bad for background music. It has some nice saxophones in the back. Overall, a bit meh.
pretty decent never heard of these guys before either a 3 or a 4
Cool 80s funk, like Duran Duran but less edgy if that’s possible
Maybe it's just the early 80's brit pop but, whether intentional or not, there is a camp-y element to this album that made it a fun listen.
New Age meets Jazz funk. I forgot how good they were.
Edwyn Collins reckons that Haircut 100 completely ripped off Orange Juice. Critics love Orange Juice and don't have a lot of time for Haircut 100. Personally, I tend to confuse them with Flock of Seagulls (who were more like Haircut 1,000,000) and am almost completely oblivious to their oeuvre, 'Love Plus One' excepted. Haircut 100 sound exactly what I feel like Orange Juice _should_ sound like based on the ravings of said critics (I'm looking at you, Simon Reynolds). At the end of the day, it's just harmless white boy funk. 'Love Plus One' is OK pop, but most of the rest of the album is a more forgettable version of the same. 2.5 stars I quite like 'Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)', which discogs tells me I can purchase from as little as 20p. Sold! A bargain at twice the price!
3/5
I listened to this album like 5 times, and the first three tracks rock. But then I just lose focus every time afterwards. I guess thats an indicator enough that its not that good (the second 3/4). I liked the horns and stuff tho. YMM
Surprisingly a lot of fun!
Pretty good. Nice and jammy
3.5/5
Well, there you go, Nick Heyward was my first pop star crush. Not sure I ever thought of them as groundbreaking though obviously there are a few crackers on here. More like a 2.5
I had no idea Brit-funk was a thing. It’s interesting, I dove in and listened to the 40th anniversary edition, after 3 hours of this album some of the catchy tunes grew on me. Not sure I’ll ever need to listen again, maybe it’s pretty funky.
Favourite tracks: favourite shirts; love plus one; lemon firebrigade
I appreciate a ska band just as much as the next person, but this one didn’t catch my vibe.
Conocida, pero más lenta Love Plus One.
Not what I was expecting. Some of it sounds a bit like Talking Heads, and then just as you’re getting settled, the last 2 tracks sound like something from a Brazilian carnival. Great percussion.
Sort of a combo of Duran Duran and Earth Wind and Fire (between songs, not within) -- not bad, overall, but kind of disorienting.
Yet another British band from the 80s/90s that I had never heard of previous to this 1001albums project. This one is from 1982 and labeled New Wave. I was in University (in USA) at the time, and would’ve described my musical tastes as New Wave. But never heard of these guys. And I don’t really hear anything on this record that is the least bit interesting. Not bad, per se, but nothing special at all. Some shades of Secret Affair from a couple of years earlier, but w/o the catchy songs. Maybe some hints of Duran Duran who would’ve been contemporaries. But only hints. I was going to go for 2, but that’s unfairly penalizing these guys for being part of a recent flood of these types of bands (4 of last 8!). Setting aside thar frustration, I’ll round up to 3. It’s better than some, but not as good as a couple.
Listened to it in the gym, and it was pretty up-tempo and engaging. I don't know that it's high art, but sometimes you just want to eat sweets and watch The Chase and that's fine.
- Credit where credit is due: Haircut 100 is a New Wave, early Britpop band that did not immediately run me up the wall. Most of these tracks are absolutely fine. - Very much enjoy "Love Plus One," which I do believe is the best song on the album. Some interesting guitar work on a few other tracks, such as "Surprise Me Again." - Not quite sure why it is on this list, but I was not insulted by its inclusion either.
This group was around when Squeeze and A Flock of Seagulls were popular but they fell under my radar. I liked this quite a bit — nice variety, poppy tunes.
Goes down easy. 3.5
Kannte ich überhaupt nicht, und fand es ganz erfrischend. Auf die Dauer etwas anstrengend.
Upbeat UK new wave with fun Latin elements
So here's a band I never paid attention to that had a more appealing sound than I thought. The reason? Horns. Still wore thin, as 80s music tends to do for me.
funky
It's always seemed like too many 1980s albums and bands suffered from...something...maybe a sort of musical malaise? Too many songs and albums just seem to blend together into a sort of synthy, poppy, sax-heavy generic-sounding music-light. And this is a perfect example of this. I'm not sure if they're all just missing some sort of soul, or distinctiveness, or message, or what, but it's painfully insipid and watery, certainly listening to it in 2024 (but I wasn't much of a fan of much of this kind of music even when it first came out). However, it's not poorly produced or anything, and they definitely tried to be a little more funky than some others, so it seems like a 3-star rating is fair.
this album reminded me of how hard it is to make good pop music
This was a surprisingly good 80's pop record. Bands like Spandau ballet and Duran Duran seem to have held their place in the music consciousness better, but I was supposed how many of these tracks were familiar It's still 80s pop for which I have little love but this was on the better end of the spectrum and deserves more recognition
It’s ok if forgettable
This is really fun 80s pop, but the lack of hooks keep it from being a repeat listen.
If you told me this was the soundtrack to 80s/90s gameshows I'd believe you. Enjoyable if a bit bland. 65/100
You’re welcome, Vampire Weekend. Preppie looks (cable-knit sweaters, those look hot!) meet energetic funky modern Pop/Rock. That light, scratchy rhythm guitar, those bass grooves, that smooth sax and horn parts, those jazzy World Music touches—it’s all a pleasant mix and a fun listen.
Very 80s but somehow I never heard of this group.
Enjoyed
Quite liked the cheery singles back in the 80s but now I just find the trumpets really annoying. Sorry
This was a decent new wave record. In particular, I really enjoyed the rhythm guitar and the brass. The production was very clean and crisp as well. However, the album was a bit bland overall. There are much better and more memorable examples of new wave pop from this time.
Usually I don't mind new wave, although I've only really stuck to the hits. This album was a bit underwhelming, though. It's a shame, because it had a lot of really interesting elements. But this one was a little samey at times. It wasn't bad, necessarily, just wasn't a project I'd go back and re-listen to.
Corny as fuck, but not that bad. Some interesting musical arrangements, even if it can't escape that ubiquitous shitty 80s sound at times. Horns give it big boost. 2.8.
Rating: 5.5/10 Decent album overall. The first two songs are very good, the rest of the album sounded like a watered-down Talking Heads. A lot of the bass lines are great and I enjoyed the use of the saxophone and horns throughout, but the charm of the album wore out pretty quickly and what was left was mostly songs that sounded just okay.
Strong three, closer to a four
Had no idea what to expect here - never heard of these guys. Seems like they would fit right in with the new wavey MTV origins. After listening, I suspect these guys may have influenced men at work or Duran Duran. Great sax work, jazzy and iobeat. The album is fine.
listened on 3/19 (plus version) -- 2.7/5
Borderline 22/3 stars, giving it 3 cos I've had a week of hip hop and the bass playing on this is next level. Interesting inclusion on the 1001 - not a fantastic album but can hear similarities to Duran Duran - there's good music underneath but still pretty lightweight.
groovy – instrumentals are fun and creative but the vocals are just really basic in comparison, leaving the songs sounding very pop-y overall. it's a fun album to have on in the background, but ultimately not interesting enough to listen to regularly
2.5 round up
80s pop without pizzazz.
Fun, funky, and danceable. Had never heard of them.
The hits are great, happy infectious pop. The rest of the album makes a lot more sense to me now I know that Nick Heyward was a fan of Talking Heads and XTC. He's trying to create the same grooves and pop sensibility of the two. It doesn't quite work because he lacks, probably, the slight off beam genius of those two bands.
I dig. 3 stars
Great production, but ultimately, unoriginal and a tad boring. Inoffensive though. 3/5
Pretty good
3.7 - 80’s city pop done well - big horns and sax, “chiggitty-chick da chiggitty” rhythm guitar. High energy and danceable.
Ok, not particularly entertaining but it's friendly and upbeat.
Very 80s not sure what elevates it to this list.
Is this the whitest music ever made? Quite possibly. Earnest froggy vocals laid down over chunka-chunk guitar licks, and horny horn stabs.
Boppy
A pleasant, beachy, smooth vibes only sort of record.
Sounds quite poppy to me but I do like the funk guitar and Latin vibe. Plus it got the wife dancing which is always fun. 3/5
Jodidos tonteos con samba shit y el jazz, pero por lo demás bastante bueno
cute groovy 3.5
Prva je bila obećavajuća i onda ostale hit & miss. Sax ih izvlaci kad ga bude. 3.5
Catchy
As individual songs they were great, but the album felt like one big song. Great band, great music, ok album. 3.5/5
Very pleasant. Get talking heads vibes on some tunes which is always good.
3.5/5. The vibes on this are incredible. A little repetitive but I’m a real sucker for a jazzy sax solo
I actually enjoyed this
It sounds like typical kinda 80s style with jazzy instrumentals, like its fine but nothing extraordinary where I feel like I was missing out by not hearing it, but on the premise that this is one of the albums i must listen to before I die- I don't feel like I needed to hear this at all in my life like my world is the same having heard it or not. Its fine. I would actually prefer it without singing like it was more litty without the mediocre singer.
Glad musik. Har ägt skivan en gång i tiden men lyssnade nästan aldrig på den.
I get why it's here. Not for me, but I warmed up to it.
Niet slecht maar iets te hoog muzak gehalte m.i.
Enérgico y divertido. 3/5.
Mostly cheesy, but also some fun grooves. Favorite track is ski club which apparently didn’t make the original record
80s John Hughes movie soundtrack stuff. Not bad, and I guess this should be included for historical purposes if nothing else. 3/5
The band Chicago is pretty lame, but I absolutely love their self-titled first album when they were called Chicago Transit Authority. At its best, this album sounds like Chicago Transit Authority mixed with sophistapop and it’s awesome. This is probably my favorite album I have heard doing this project that I wasn’t familiar with before (I had heard “Love Plus One” on Sirius XM’s First Wave channel but nothing else). The lyrics left a lot to be desired and it was a bit too cheesy in parts, but overall I really dug it. I am a sucker for a horn section.
Love Plus One is one of my favorites from the 1980s. This is a very 80's funky new wave album. What's not to like? Standouts: Love Plus One, Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), Fantastic Day, Nobody's Fool (Bonus) Corny lyrics, but excellent music. 3.5
I like lemon forebrigade but other than that it is not one of my favorites. Love the groovy vibe but its not enough
Almost gave this 4 stars because it's really quite funky, but the further you get into the album, the more it feels like more of the same. I did add Favourite Shirts to my playlist, though.
Loppua kohdne muuttu hauskan hilpeeks menoks, 2,5*=3*
Conocida, pero más lenta Love Plus One.
Quite nice, but not my type of music
It's alright but I probably could've died without hearing it
Enjoyable
ничего не запомнила) только что на делюкс издании одна песня кажется пять раз звучала
Not bad.
Again, better than I expected
Conocida, pero más lenta Love Plus One.
Groovy 80s beats!
Solid album. It has a great groove to it, but it doesn’t have much to make it really stand out.
This album is not great and I have no idea why it would be on this list BUT I didn't hate it. It was fun and upbeat and sounds better than most of the 80s music that other people love.
Alles sehr ähnlich, aber ok.
Album étonnant. Un mélange de rock inde du début 80, pop 60's, pop kitsch au saxo et bongo genre la croisière s'amuse a Copacabana. Donc des moments assez laborieux, et parfois un son de guitare une mélodie qui redonne un peu la foi. La première écoute est compliquée, mais découvre des choses, comme "Surprise me again", charmante.
Some good 80's British pop/funk going on here. Lemon Firebrigade was the standout track, my ears pricked up at the timbre of this instrumental. I won't give the album a repeat spin but wouldn't complain hearing a couple of tracks here & there. It's just getting over the line for a 3 star score.
It was alright, got a but boring after a while. Duran Duran lite is a good description indeed.
Interesting elevator music
Not bad I guess
Better than most new wave for me but sadly they ran out of ideas, every track is the same leaving you feeling pretty stir crazy by the end. Still, got my head bobbing.
If you're looking for jazzy 80's new wave music, here it is. This album is almost too 80s for me, coming off as a bit goofy at times. Thankfully, there is enough saxophone and horn here to keep it from being below a 3 for me. Maybe I'll come back if I'm looking for a stereotypically 80's playlist, but otherwise I think I'll stay away. Highlight: Lemon Firebrigade Lowlight: Nobody's Fool - 12" Version Surprise Hit: Fantastic Day
Not bad by any means. Not particularly amazing, but I enjoyed my time with it. I’d go back to this one again. 7/10 Top 3: 1. Love Plus One 2. Lemon Firebrigade 3. Fantastic Day
The opening song was soooo good Rest of the album didn’t quite live up to it but was still fun, and it was a nice surprise to hear Fantastic Day (never knew who that one was by)
Vote to replace elevator music with this.
Not bad, just a bit meh
Prima! Maar niet bijzonder
Een van de betere albums ooit
If the track list was pared down it would be a lot more Killer, but the Filler drags it down.
Solid goofy jazzy
Funky, groovy, enjoyable but not too special. (63%)
Ooh a nice slice of early 80s New Wave pop goodness. Doesn’t have much of an aftertaste but it’s a good time while it lasts
Hi, we heard you like Talking Heads and we heard you like saxophones. I just couldn’t get past the saxophone. Otherwise, I liked the bass playing especially and probably could have gotten more into this without the saxophone. 3
Ik
Early 80s pop. It's decent in the beginning, but gets very repetitive towards the end of the album. Good saxophone work though. It's probably deserving of a 2.5 in my book, but I'll round up.
I liked the jazzy, brass band elements, but other than that, it was ok. Once you’d heard a couple songs, you’d heard them all as they all sounded relatively the same.
I would have never thought to listen to this album, and I don't know that it was necessary for me. It was kind of fun, but not amazing or anything. I don't think that I would ever seek it out again.
Fun enough to listen to, very 80s - not sure in what way it qualifies for this list though … you could die without listening to this and will have missed very little.
Remembered a couple of these from my childhood. Good times
at first i thought it had come out in 2023 and i was blown away someone was making stuff that sounded like that in 2023. then i realized its the 40th anni release. was mostly nice. downloaded 6 and 7
Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) // Love Plus One // Lemon Firebrigade // Milk Film // Kingsize // Fantastic Day // Surprise Me Again // Nobody’s Fool 3-3.5/5
Pop ochentero sin mucha sustancia. Muy parejas todas las canciones. Ritmo muy parecido en cada uno de los cortes
This one was interesting and definitely showed some potential. I think there were a few songs that I'd love to listen to again.
6/10 muy buen inicio despues se pincha.
There's a distinctive frenetic pace to the guitars, drums, synthesizers... good, but a bit repetitive. Even Kingsize starts slow and the short bursts of horn take us back to the sound of HC100. Surely they hadd.
"Pelican West" is the debut album by London new wave band Haircut One Hundred. It was produced by Bib Sargeant on the Arista label and the only one with lead vocalist and guitarist Nick Heyward who would leave for a solo career. The album reached #2 in the UK and #31 in the US. The album starts out strong with "Favourite Shirt (Boy Meets Girl)." Fast urgent guitar. Drums with congas. Horns provide the interlude and a nice sax solo. A nice pop song. A scratchy-sounding and xylophone, I believe, open "Love Plus One." A horn driven melody. Very catchy melody and vocal choruses. " A ring and a ring and a ring..." Hard to get out your head. So far, so good. Their third and final single "Fantastic Day" has a sultry sax and tambourine. Vocal harmonies and another nice pop song. The album continues with jazzy pop songs up until the last three songs. I thought I was listening to Talking Heads' "Speaking in Tongues" era music in "Love's Got Me in Triangles." The song hits a groove and fuses with the jazzy horns. An alternative, even heavy metal ballad, guitar opens "Surprise Me Again." This is more rockin' with a nice guitar melody. The band goes in a more R&B and funk direction on the album closer "Calling Captain Autumn." The horns are prominent. Heyward is even rapping. I hear Earth, Wind and Fire and Parliament influences. Never a bad thing. This is a pretty enjoyable album. The three singles are very good. I could take or leave most of the other jazzy pop songs. The album ends strong; it would have been very interesting to see where this band might have gone using these final songs as a template. Nick Heyward would leave so we never found out. He's had a long solo career. I've never listen to any of his solo stuff but something tells me it continued in a pop direction. Oh, well.
Not sure exactly what the hell I just listened to. Kept waiting for that one song I at least recognized from a movie or 80s playlist of 1 hit wonders and nothing. It wasn't terrible but wasn't really good so I don't know
Nice sound. Fun to work to.
Upbeat and groovy! Some very nice new wave
Fairly standard as far as goofy english new wave goes but not unenjoyable. best tracks: favourite shirts, lemon firebrigade, surprise me again
I was strolling through Limone Sul Garda in Italy when listening to this, and it fitted the scenery very well. Never heard the album before and it was an interesting listening experience, though some songs felt a bit too similar.
This was fun ! The brass was really good. Overall a good listen. High 3*
A bit like the day before it kind of swept over me and left no lasting impression.
I liked yhe sound at first but got a bit bored after a couple of tracks
Was fine
80s pop. Competent. Love Plus One is a delightful bop. And. Um. Why is this here?
Incredibly fun and infectious record. I love how unrelenting the grooves are- you just get hit with them over and over. I would have like a little more dynamism in there- if I skip around the album and click on the 1 minute mark for most tracks they sound really similar. For this reason it's a 3/5 for me.
Lot of saxophones, and very jazzy. Not bad, bit backgroundy. 3
This sounds really similar to every other British new wave album and that's neither a good nor bad thing. There were moments that stood out but otherwise, it was an intensely generic record that had an unusual amount of saxophone solos.
Catchy funky pop. Enjoyable but not outstanding in any way. The second half is noticably weaker than the first. Highlights: Love Plus One
Pop. New wave.
Ok
I knew their name, but not their music. In my head they were Duran Duran wannabes. Not too far off at times, but it doesn't do them justice. They're funkier. More guitars and horns. Not bad at all. Pleasant surprise. But after around 20 minutes, they couldn't keep my attention anymore. Favorite song: lemon firebrigade
As good as 80s pop gets
Gir meg veldig FIFA-vibes. Gladmusikk, men litt kjedelig i lengden.
A ridiculously catchy mix of post punk and new wave. Equal parts Clash and Duran Duran. Blaring horns mesh with lilted guitar to form a sound that’s uniquely ‘80s but holds up even still.
Mehh. Great brass and saxophone instrumentals. Catchy riffs, but lyrics and singing were very bland.
Fun and rather campy new wave sound.
Sounds a little cheesy now, but some solid tunes on this album. Some great funky slap bass and urgent drumbeats.
Forgettable 80s
3/5 This was a quintessential 80's sounding band. It wasn't my favourite but it wasn't the worse either. I probably won't listen to it again. It was very "bubble gum" and poppy but with no real substance.
Better than expected
Heeeeey! I liked it. The album cover really belies how funky this album gets at certain points. It's like a whole album of the "Jump Up, Superstar!" song from Mario Odyssey, but make it more conga-y, more casino house band-y, and more British. Some songs also sounded like genuine precursors to Japanese city pop. All told, this album is poppy and inoffensive with some good dancing songs. Surprisingly, I did not like the song Fantastic Day which I gather everyone likes but was too indie-pop for me. I also did not enjoy Snow Girl which was also very indie-pop. For me, the standout song was Lemon Firebrigade which at points sounded suspiciously like the Super Mario Theme crossed with a conga beat (I sense a theme here?). I found myself tapping my toes and bobbing my head while doing the stank face, and that's always a good sign. :)
I think they used the same riff for a couple songs. Solid bops though
3.75
I would say this sounds like typical 80s music, but its also very funky. Also their sweaters in the Favourite Shirts music video are cute. Fave track(s): Lemon Firebrigade, October Is Orange (Day 1 & 2)
Some noteworthy tracks here and Fantastic Day and Love Plus One are certainly stand outs not just on the album but in the decade. As to the rest, the New Wavier the better but not quite enough to get me to return.
Not bad! Never heard of them, but I like the overuse of horns and sax. Cool blend of funk and 80s British pop
J'ai beaucoup apprécié cet album des pelicans, avec leur becs monumentaux, tout de couleurs habillés. Attention tout de même à ne pas laisser traîner ses doigts, un coup de bec est très vite arrivé.
Pretty funky, new wave, goodness. I’ve heard Love Plus One somewhere before but I’ve never heard of anything else, including their name.
Three socking singles, and the whole album breezes along on pop-funky good vibes. Sometimes it's ok to be shallow - not everything has to be about Death and Taxes...
- feels like I’m watching an 80s movie - not bad. Bopping along
Lots o Duran Duran in there. No really my bag, but decently well written music.
It’s an okay album a little forgettable amongst the 1001 albums most of the guitar riffs are the exact same funk thing but I don’t hate it the albums nice but there’s just better new wave stuff on here and not on here. 3/5
Dare I say a little yuppie-ish? It's new wave with some heavy jazz and disco influences. The horn section is nice, and the music is nice and bright, but admittedly, it's a little easy to let this fade into the background and zone out. Favorite tracks: "Calling Captain Autumn", "Kingsize"
Surprisingly good, very 80s! Got a bit tiresome by the end but a good listen
Interesting.
This band is a lot cooler than expected but their biggest downfall was being in the 80s. The instrumentals are insanely entertaining. Jazzy, funky, poppy they nail a lot of different genres with a lot of different instruments. However the new wave sound of singing brings this album down. The new wave drag of singing is not something I particularly enjoy. If this was a modern band they’d probably jam more than sing. Overall not bad would listen again. 6.9/10
Not a bad listen. Seemed like a pretty standard record for its time.
This was fine. I actually enjoyed some of it quite a bit, but other parts dragged a little. Not sure I had to hear it, but wasn't terrible.
Mélange intéressant de new wave avec influences funk/disco, mais pas quelque chose de tant épatant non plus.