Pelican West

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.

I’ve always almost liked this album, but it sounds too much like white British guys in starched white shirts and stylish haircuts not playing any sour notes for it to be of any lasting interest to me.

Classic smooth 80’es

This is usually not my kind of thing but I'm into it!

5/10. At their best, they sound a bit like the Talking Heads but worse. Not all of these songs are up to that standard.

Had no idea who Haircut 100 was before this. Not bad for early 80's UK New Wave.

Fun vibes

Of it' s time. Enjoyable enough

Big dose of nostalgia for me. These were a clean inoffensive jazzy pop band set up by record executives to be the new 'Monkeys'. A lot of hits on the album which mainly appealed to teens. Nick Heyward was the lead and wrote most of the songs and clearly a talented guy but the songs lack depth. It's pleasant and i've enjoyed listening to the songs I know but nothing beyond that.

Enjoyed this. Got club tropicana meets duran duran vibes.

Good album, some unique sounds

3.5

Rythme entraînant, vraiment le fun à écouter, mais parfois les cuivres sont un peu trop présents.

Solid New Wave. Almost the definition of.

Sunny early 80s new wave. The musicianship and arrangements are really strong. Reminds me at times of XTC, Talking Heads, and The Beat. Pretty fun but somehow a little slight.

unlistened rip

Enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would. I always thought Haircut 100 were a bit silly from the songs I knew, but this album was great. Really enjoyed the instrumentals.

Okay album. More up-tempo than most in this genre but still just not for me.

i was surprised at the fact that i enjoyed this. at first it seems like another album id just have to get through but i’m ending it with a strong 3. 7/10.

A budget Duran Duran do I need to say more

Okay but not special.

A pleasant enough New Wave album. Of course the big hit was Love Plus One which was the only song I knew from MTV. Right before 1984 when things got too glossy.

Always appreciate a good horn section

Pretty standard new wave, but the horns keep it fresh and fun.

lots of 80s. kind of interesting, not great today. i like the horns.

Not bad, but also sorta same-y across the album. I liked the bass, but the sax was the same a lot, and same with the vocals and such. I don't see myself returning to this one. 3/5

I don't think I heard Haircut 100 much on the radio at the time when they were releasing new music, but I am very familiar with the first two tracks on Pelican West Plus. "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)" and "Love Plus One" occasionally pop up in my personal play list. Haircut 100 has elements hinting at the upcoming Brit-pop that will come in the late 80s and early 90s. There are songs that remind me a little of the Squeeze, one of their contemporaries and a band that I like. The everpresent saxophone reminds you that this band and this music is from the 80s. "Baked Bean" and "Fantastic Day" were the new individual tracks that I might come back to. Overall the album was good enough. I'm not sure if I would listen to the whole album again.

I feel like a broken record but this 80s style is just too... 80s for me. It's fine but I can't get past it all. There are also better 80s in this style for me.

Tropical new wave.

aight

Wow, so 80s. These baselines would be at home on a cruise ship.

Like a happier boppier Duran Duran, with bongos, saxes and a nod to 1980s sitcom soundtracks.

Cute, fun, poppy. Faves: Kingsize, Snow Girl

Bom.

I think that it was a fun example of 80s cheese. Not much else to say.

Conocida, pero más lenta Love Plus One

I mean it's alright. At first I thought I was listening to a ska band HAHA. But yeah pretty good stuff, reminds me of Heaven 17

Some type of funk played by white people. Not bad but far of being near of the original sound.

Lots a saxophone, but that’s not a bad thing!

Funky

1980s sax laden tunes at their best. Never bought this album but enjoyed the hits on it. Not bad

liked a few tracks but the vocal style didnt do it for me

Actually don't mind the brass in this... I like it better than the 80's synth of the same era. Some definite Latin beats as well, which creates quite the aural offering.

6/10

I was not familiar with the band or any of the songs. It is definitely 80s music, with some funk and with hints of indie music. It was alright.

This album started promising, with Boy Meets Girl being quite a good song - unfortunately, even the other singles (love plus one, fantastic day) didn't rise to the same level. Frankly this has gained a star as I quite like both new wave and the album name.

New wave, maar dan een stuk opgewekter. Leuk, maar geen uitschieters op dit album

While no more inspiring than any of the other new wave albums we have encountered, it is probably the best produced one, with songs closer to Kool and the Gang than anything new wave.

Decent album, typical british new wave, nice electro sound but fails to leave a lasting impression

Love Plus One is not only one of my favourite songs but in my opinion, one of the most perfectly crafted pop songs of all time. The rest of the album is good, but not great. A post ska, afro ear-lite sound that blends into Level 42 and A Certain Ratio fails to keep my interest for the full album

191120 14:34 3

Quite funky but not gonna go outta my way to listen again

OK, so I really don't understand why this one is on the list. It's an early 80s pop group that I had never heard of before with a barely distinguishable sound and an extremely dorky image. That said, the music is completely inoffensive and rather pleasant at times. They do have that sax-thing going for them as well, which is somewhat nice. So while I'm puzzled as to why they're on the list, they're certainly not the most unpleasant band on it.

Liked it, didn’t LOVE it.

I enjoyed this more than I thought I would based on the description of them as "new wave"; less synth-y and more jazzy. Really liked the almost a bossa nova sound on Lemon Firebrigade.

pretty cool

Love the album. Love New Wave. Love the use of congas, sax, and other strange instruments that give the album a jungle aesthetic. First three tracks are amazing. Next four are pretty good. But beyond some highlights, the rest of the album is uninteresting, even if you exclude the bonus tracks. I mean, I like New Wave and it has the combination of synth, punk, and pop that I love, but it's not something I would listen to actively. Just for dancing to or playing in the background. You start to pick up the repetition later on, and it starts to ruin the magic. Also those vocals sound like some other New Wave band or two but I can't put my finger on it. Maybe I'm thinking of David Byrne but less weird? Duran duran but less enthusiastic?

Rating: 5/10

Soft pleasant new wave pop. The guys certainly had fun. (6/10) Favourite Tracks: Love Plus One, Love's Got Me in Triangles

I listened to this a very great deal in situ, as it were, an LP sincerely bought by one of my siblings when it was released, and I don’t think I’ve heard a bit of it since (maybe the odd throwback radio play of Love Plus One or Favorite Shirt a time or two across the ages). Playing through the whole album for the first time in certainly 30+ years found I remembered it quite well, B sides and deep tracks as well, and it holds up - breezy and lightweight though it (very much by design I think) is.

Один трек был неплох, а так просто обычный альбом.

I was entertained

A lot going on, and a lot of fun.

Favourite shirts

Love Plus One is a 5, and I like some of Nick Heyward's solo stuff (Whistle Down The Wind is a 5). This is their only album, so intrigued to listen to see if it's list worthy. And...its just OK. It's like the Brit version of They Might Be Giants, or an edgier Spandau Ballet. A few good songs, but a bit puzzled why this made the list. It's truthfully a 2.5. Might mark it a 3 just for the first 2 songs. Frankly I prefer either of the first 2 Culture Club albums over this.

Not sure how gamechanging or great this album is, but it's fun and funky as hell. Think 4 would be too generous, but 3 does feel harsh

I had written out an actual review but forgot to post it and can't remember it. I like it, there's a song (or some?) With the glockenspiel thing that gives little mermaid vibes. Would rate 3.5 if I could

groovy 80's pop. kinda fun but not super memorable

Funky and stylish. Very enjoyable

British New Wave pioneers. The album seems to oscillate between new wave sounds and proto-emo, to jazz fusion for longer jams.

better than i thought it would be, wider array of instruments though the sincerity of singing is a bit overblown for my taste

Interesting that an album from a group I considered a one-hit wonder showed up. The album wasn't bad and definitely captures an era. It also showcases the quirkiness of this band in their instrumentation and melody.

Good, enjoyable new wave. It's too long, something I fixed by skipping the repeat last song, but I liked the soft tunes and often instrumental-dominated songs Saved: Lemon Firebrigade

Saved Prior: None Off Rip: Love Plus One, Lemon Firebrigade, Milk Film Cutting Edge: None Overall Notes: Probably the most shocked I've been to see an album on this list. I've heard of Love Plus One before from all the 80's one hit wonder lists I've read, but never actually listened to it until now. New wave with congos and saxophones. Never amazing, but pretty good. Don't fully understand what this is doing here but it's good stuff. I don't know if I'd go as far as to say artsy Duran Duran, but I liked it.

Beige cable knit jumpers and tucked in, short sleeve shirts with ties suggested this would be fun. It was....mostly. Sean Lock in the bottom corner there too.

Toeters, best een leuk plaatje!

This was fun, but nothing special.

Not bad. A lot brass, which I liked... probably won't listen to them again

Werkelijk nog nooit van deze band gehoord, maar helemaal geen onaardig album. Lekker 80's met veel blaasinstrumenten - altijd goed!

It was good 80s synth-pop, but at the end of the day that isn't so spectacular to me. I liked it tho, overall.

Das ist also rechts von Devo los. Why not.

Viel Licht, viel Schatten. Da sind tolle Jangly Guitars, anzüglich schnarrende Bässe, treibende-fluffig Percussions, aber wie im Fall von „Lemon Firebrigade“ ist es mir ein Rätsel, wie das alles so vielversprechend beginnen und so schwuppig belanglos enden kann. Dabei hat es Tracks („Ski Club“), die so gut altern, ja sogar an !!! oder Out Hud erinnern. Zwiespältig mein Befinden auf dieser Party, die nicht ganz meine ist, bei der ich aber irgendwie hängen bleibe und die zum Schluss, sogar Spaß macht. Mittige 2.5

Bei dem Wetterchen gestern hab ich mir sofort die Haare schön gemacht, den Pulli übergeworfen und das Golf Cabrio aus der Garage geholt. Und mit Haircut 100 hatte ich den perfekten Soundtrack für ne kleine Spritztour in den Frühling im Cassettenfach! Auch Theo sagte: "Ach, lass ruhig an. Für mich ist das so Papa-Musik." Bekommt jazzfunkywhitenordlondonige 3,4 Punkte von mir. Und jetzt ein schönes Raffaello!

I mean.... it was an interesting listen that is for sure. Very interesting blend of pop and Island and.... 80's. One of the most unique in this journey so far. weird out of 5

It started off fine, but then everything started to feel the same and it got monotonous. Still, there are some decent singles on here Favorite tracks: “Favorite Shirts and “Love’s Got Me In Triangles”

Meh. Light 80s

It was fine

Heerlijk funk albumpje, lekker vrolijk

Some kind of 80s new wave jungle jazz funk sax fusion abomination that I couldn't stop bopping to. I don't think it drops below 180bpm the entire album.

It was ok! nothing insane tho

The funky jazz beats and sax rifts are great, but the vocals disappoint. Would be better as an instrument album.

It's like a poor man's Duran Duran

Klingt wie Talking Heads mit mehr '80s-Saxophon. Aber ein paar gute Tanznummern

I liked the music, but have to admit that the cover art looks a little like they're trying to be the early 80s new wave boy band. That aside, I'd listen to this album again. It's not quite as new wavy as I normally dig, but it was probably pretty far out there back in 82. 3 stars.

Ok

Lidt specielt musik. New wave. En blanding mellem Per Shop Boys og surfer rock. Flere gode pophits på. Men lidt for ligegyldig i længden. 3,5 stjerne

Not my style

Not sure what they fall under (new wave?) but I dig it. The bass tone and up tempo beats get me

Catchy 3 vibes

Strange, but a fun listen

Good.... well slick 80s pop. Sounded a bit wham in places!

Underwhelming overall. Not bad to listen to, but veers into the type of new wave that is a tad too poppy for my liking. Some more engaging moments towards the end of the runtime, but nothing to write home about

Big old meh, just can't get into this 80s polished new wave "rock" 2/5

boring stuff! it`s time that i get a real banger album again here

2.5 for this nerdy Temu Talking Heads.

This is just Duran Duran but not catchy

Not much going on here to deserve a spot on this list. Everything sounds good, but it all feels like a riff on something else, and I tired pretty quickly of the rhythm guitar playing the same pattern on 75% of the songs. It made me want to listen to the first couple Vampire Weekend albums.

..

Fine.

Meh. Sounds like a poor replica of every other 80s new wave/britpop band. Predictable and samey. 2.5/5 rounded down.

No idea why this is on the 1001 list really. There’s nothing particularly wrong with it. It’s a proficient pop album with a horn section which makes it stand out a bit from the usual Smash Hits pop stars of that era, but it’s not really exceptional in any way for me.

Once again so grateful that I wasn't alive for the dreadful new wave wave in the early 80s. This is a little bit redeemed by some good bass guitar work and the occasional bit of nice funk guitar riffery but this whole style of singing and production just gets me like nails on a blackboard.

I never really warmed to Haircut 100 found them a bit twee. They were the group mothers liked. Too much brass in there to make it really enjoyable.

80s New Wave. This genre just isn't doing anything for me. Slightly quirky pop rock. Percussion. Delivery like every other new age band.

It's not bad I guess, fairly easy listening but I really don't like the style particularly the bass lines and I think they're meant to be the best bit

The most “2” of two-star albums. Utterly forgettable, but some just won’t let it be forgotten.

I'm sure with 1001 albums to put in this book there comes a time where you put random bullshit to fill in the slots

Every song sounded the same.

New wave Brit pop? Yes. Essential? No.

850+ albums into this journey and the singer sounds like every other British new wave singer from the 80s. I think that’s why none of the numerous new wave albums on this list have resonated with me.

why

sounds like aztec camera mixed with prefab sprout but with a really boring smooth jazz/funk influence and not as good as either! found this uninspiring And i usually love this type of Crap!

Albūma cover labāks par pašu albūmu, man patika tikai boat party

I like the name …………. It’s ok like there is nothing special about this , I feel like I will forget about this tomorrow

I only know one song from this group. I am guessing this 80s Britpop group was bigger in the UK than the US because I’m not sure why this would be on the list.

Pretty standard UK new wave stuff here, kind of forgettable when compared to other better bands of the time (xtc). As a new wave head this one was just... Fine I guess 🤷🏻‍♂️

sounds like every other 80s pop band that I don’t like but no offense

2.5/5. An album that I would describe as a “One Trick Pony.” Simple new-wave grooves with some sax and horns added on top. It starts out strong with the opener “Favourite Shirts” and “Lemon Firebrigade” but then the rest of the album never deviates from the same basic song-structure and patterns leading to the whole thing feeling super samey to the extent where it felt much longer than it actually was.

maybe, just maybe, 80's britpop isn't that important. jot that down

A fun, summery album, but nothing much stuck with me. 5/10.

2/5

Ok

Not my thing but not not my thing.

I expected to hate this and I really didn’t. It was pretty good. I can’t really describe the sound except as stripped down Duran Duran. It works.

Very 80s

perilously close to a 1

Eh meh

This is the real dog days of the list. Past 1001 but still a long way to 1095 or whatever the number is. Each album gets more generic and more 80s. Idk how many more quirked up white boy jangle rock with elements from other genres sprinkled in that I can take. Put me out of my misery please

Progenitors of Vampire Weekend

Totally meh. Nothing wrong with it, but there's nothing here that really caught my ear, and Snow Girl was terrible

Muy de su época...

I really didn't have time for this this morning.

Thoughts before listening: New wave I'm pretty sure. And a particularly cheesy version of new wave if I recall correctly. Review: So is this like new wave meets Harry Belafonte? I wasn't expecting all of the Caribbean calypso vibes. I'm a big fan of 80s ska, but this is something totally different that goes way into poppy, light jazz territory. The first song was a nice little pleasant surprise, but the album soon wore on me. I'm not really into this one. 2-stars

Gezellig

Torvi soittimia ja menevää meininkiä. Kyllä kyllä

2/5

Ehhhhhhhhhhh, thought I'd love it but kinda like a photographer that thinks operating the camera is a talent

Definitely another album that's far from essential to hear before I die. Haircut 100 were very much also rans in the New Romantic era when they were a going concern, and that's what this sounds like. Do you want Duran Duran B-sides with a slightly funkier vibe? This is the album for you!

4/10 Fun but not something I'll come back to

Best thing about this band is their name.

Bit Jazz, bit pop, bit morning TV. Inoffensive but didn’t too much for me.

Haircut 100 are very cheerful. Aggressively, relentlessly cheerful. The kind of cheerful that makes you check if someone put something in your drink. Several listens in and it all sounds like one long song — funky, brass-forward, handclap-heavy early 80s pop that sits in the same feel-good pocket as Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" and Stevie Wonder's "Happy Birthday." Not unpleasant. Not distinguishable. The saxophone is nice. It's always nice. It doesn't help. 2/5 — one cheerful 80s blob, warmly delivered.

Decent enough fast paced pop. I likely won't revisit this one though. Favorite track: Love Plus One

A very mixed bag of an album. Some of it sounded like someone trying to mimic the SNL opening song, some of it sounded like Mario Kart music, and some of it was kind of fun. Really enjoyed “Surprise Me Again” and was about to give it 3 stars, but my god did I hate “Calling Captain Autumn.” Hated it enough to adjust my rating back down to 2 stars. I was on the fence most of the album, but my god that last track was terrible and really ruined things. The rest of the album is alright. A little boring and forgettable. Skip the last track and you’ll be happier.

The same decent, unremarkable, funky, British 80s song, played 12 times in a row.

I am so sick of this British sound omg

Bof , rien de spécial et j’ai pas accroché

This album felt generic, mid and flat. Although i felt myself bumping along to some of their tunes I kind of felt embarrassed, they're trying so hard to be cool. Their use of Jazz and Bossa Nova throughout the record reminds me of Ian's use of Trap for his records today. It feels cynical. 4/10

Polished, over the top early '80s pop (I wouldn't call that new wave). It consists mainly of funky guitar riffs, a sax, and percussion in several iterations. Nice elevator music.

2/5 Favorite Song: Kingsize

One listenable semi-hit and this album makes the list? After recognizing the first two tracks, I was on track 8 before realizing that I'd actually listened to six different songs. However, they get an extra star for not being complete crap.

Decent sounding new wave but they can't seem to rest on a vibe of the album. Every song sounds different.

After listening to so much New Wave through this list, I understand why it died off as a genre and never really came back. Although I must admit the British did seem to be having fun in the 80's with it.

the 80s really just had bad music huh Would I listen again: no Deserves to be on this list: no 2.3

Just absolutely the most generic new wave pop rock I have ever heard. Top (or bottom) of the "Why is this on the list?" pile. There are more deserving entries. I can imagine getting into a conversation with a stranger, a barman or something, and he mentions, "Oh, I used to be in a band." "Oh right," you say, not really that interested. "Yeah, we were called Haircut One Hundred. We actually got into the charts." "Pretty cool," you say, "I might check that out!" You are lying. But several days later you pass by a barbershop and you're reminded of the band name. You open up Spotify and put them on. It wasn't worth it.

Sounds like theme music for non-existent early-90's sitcoms. 2.

A New Wave one hit wonder. They should have marketed as a disco group. That's the strength of the album and where all the fun and energy is. Although I can imagine how that might underperform in the early 80s. Love Plus One

Decently fun, but an unusually milquetoast inclusion for a book called 1001 albums you must hear before you die? Not sure I agree with it but I'm not mad! I stand by giving most things a chance at least once, and I'm definitely not an anti-pop snob (quite the opposite in fact). However, the pop has to catch me in some way and this album didn't have that clinching factor. It also runs unnecessarily long, and the songs started to blend together past the mid-way point :(

Another anonymous 80s British soft rock band? Another 2 star album.

Another British new wave album from the '80's? Pass. There is literally nothing noteworthy or memorable on this album. Maybe they were a little ahead of the curve on that distinctive '80's pop sound, but that doesn't make it worth listening to.

More brit pop, of the “look at my bop into my favorite haberdashery variety”. Upbeat but not interesting. A 2.

Only 1 memorable song but great horn section. Otherwise crappy 80s English pop.

Not a good way to start my day today. Or any of my days.

I could have gone to my grave without hearing this.

Hur mycket new wave kommer det bli? Nej.

⭐⭐ New wave + punk. Även inslag av jazz och samba. Funk ska ha en inbyggd coolhet, det finns inte här. Det är som om någon lånar någons snygga outfit men inte klarar av att bära upp den. Det låter på något sätt bra men det lyfter inte. Kommer inte lyssna på det igen så det får bli en 2a. Bäst är kanske Favourite shirt och Lemon brigade

How much mindless brit pop do I have to endure on this list. My god.

Not great

Kann mich nicht daran erinnern das gehört zu haben

Overall felt rather samey and forgettable. Not that I’ll give it the chance, but this does not strike me as something that gets better over repeated listens.

3/10

Some songs could be straight out of an 80s sitcom.

No lo sentí como un álbum que tuviera que escuchar antes de morir pero me gustó el saxofón en el disco

Cool talking heads with sax

Groupe new wave british. Leur 1er album. C'est différent, c'est pimpant. La trompette (je pense) rajoute un bon je-ne-sais-quoi. C'est différent. C'est pas incroyable, mais c'est pas mauvais. Au final, ils ont un style funk différent de ce que j'ai déjà entendu, mais je vais être sévère, car je perdais un peu l'intérêt durant mon écoute. Content de l'avoir écouté et découvert, mais ce serait clairement pas mon premier choix. Je dois avouer que ça fait de la bonne musique d'ambiance.

Recognizing the first song or two from late night 80s-New Wave theme nights at College dance clubs does not explain why this album is on the list. Not bad, just feel like there is better British New Wave music out there.

Number: 92 Date: 04/04/2026 Artist: Haircut 100 Album: Pelican West Year: 1982 Genre: New wave Rating: 2 Notes: Before: ======= Somehow I left this album completely out of my favourites songs from 1982 list. I think I need to include at least Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) and Love Plus One. During: ======= With the exception of Love Plus One and Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl), most of the album is totally forgettable. Rating Track Name 4 Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl) 5 Love Plus One 3 Lemon Firebrigade 3 Marine Boy 2 Milk Film 2 Kingsize (You're My Little Steam Whistle) 2 Fantastic Day 2 Baked Bean 2 Snow Girl 2 Love's Got Me In Triangles 2 Surprise Me Again 3 Calling Captain Autumn ----------------------------------------------------- 2.66 WEIGHTED AVERAGE (accounts for song lengths) After : ======= 3 my personal rating 1 suitability for this list 2 impact ----------------------------------------------- 2 composite rating

Best Track - "Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)"

Seriously? One of the top 1000 albums I need to listen to? Nope. Poppy Trash.

Meh it was ok. Standout song: Love plus one

This is new wave and that’s never totally been my thing. Sure there are some bands that are in this era, especially ones that matured beyond it like Tears For Fears that I really enjoy, but most of the time it’s stuff like this that just isn’t fully developed, or at least constructed well. This has a lot of elements that I should like, fast paced, guitars, slapping base, saxophone, and brass section, hell even the drums aren’t that bad. That said, it never really fully comes together to create something special or even significant. Two stars

I had totally forgotten about listening to this record. I guess that says all you need to know.

Annoying

Day801 - seems like they were a one hit wonder for a reason

not the 80s i would reach for

not my cup of tee

Not for me

No thank you, I'm good

Want more punk

More Brit pop from the 80’s, yay

Funky, hits of future styles 2

Had some cool grooves but nothing that special, kinda a knock off duran duran. Also, this is where I'm going to complain that there are no Electric Light Orchestra albums on this list. Discovery, A New World Record, and Out of the Blue are more essential than any album I've gotten this week.

While this album has new wave elements, it definitely leans more sophisti-pop, complete with jazzy-funk sounds. As I listened to this, I heard the sounds of a lot of different bands who did similar sounds dancing around, all mixed in here. There wasn't anything really wrong with this, but once again, just another pretty underwhelming album in the grand scheme of this project.

It was...below sub par. I'm not mad about it, but I realized just now I don't really remember the music. I remember I listened to it, but nothing stuck out.

Stort album for saxofon lydeffekten på synthesizere

Aldrig hørt om før, det var et ret sjovt lyt men ikke noget særligt. Er new wave overrepræsenteret på listen? Det er umuligt at sige.

Welp.. Another generic new wave album..

This sounds like XTC tried to make a Talking Heads tribute album as a weekend project

Mediocre English new wave. 2.5/5

This is kinda lame to me.

Favorite Song: Love Plus One

New Wave 🤮

132/1001 First listen. Never heard of this band. What a bad name. This sounds okay, just nothing to hook me in. Too many horns? 4/10

This album is pretty fly for some white guys. Was going to give it a 3 but it was way too long for my taste.

Not really for me stylistically, and it sits in the middle of a road of overly happy Tears For Fears using Talk Talk’s gear. Dancy, catchy and fun, but that’s about all for me.

Not sure how many generic pop albums can be on this list. The same guitar riffs on almost every song and bass lines left over from the disco era.

Classic New Wave sound. Singer at times sounds like the frontman for Duran Duran.

I get the feeling that this is one of those bands that were beloved in the U.K., but granted little more than a shrug from American audiences. They dropped "Love Plus One" on us and that was enough. This spot should have gone to INXS.

A pretty boring and repetitive but funky new wave album. All the songs just kind of sound the same with little to no variation 5/10 Favourite: Boy Meets Girl Least Favourite: Kingsize

Extremely down the middle 80s new wave stuff. Did very little for me.

some meh city pop

65

2/5

I have never heard of this band before, and while nothing about them is particularly terrible, I never want to hear them again.

2.5 ish.

I can see why people might like this. It's bright and upbeat, and musically interesting: that new wave blend of jazz-funk and pop. Unfortunately I hate all these things and find it bland, soulless and overlong.

This album makes me feel like I’m at a beach party in the 60s/70s. Disco dance vibes. Idk who captain autumn is but he seems like a groovy guy.

Pelikanye West Just leaving this here as a gut punch after you finish the album

I liked it way more than expected at times. Still not for me

PosaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaVASOS

Lame boring sameness

Isn't this a one hit wonder band?

Pleasant enough new wave, but not particularly memorable. Not a fan of this production style either.

I have been cutting my own hair for nearly 6 years. might not yet be at haircut #100 the trick to cutting your own hair is to accept mediocrity that isn't the trick when it comes to music.

All the new wave stuff on this list is at least pretty decent, but there’s a lot of it. Put this one on the lower end of the curve, but it’s still pretty decent. Maybe not enough guts or something. I don’t know.

Funk/Jazz 2,4

80s to the core again. Nothing noteworthy.

Early 80s pop that just wasn’t that astonishing or good. Never even heard this one

Clearly know their way around a pop hook but the sickly sweet “sophisti-pop” sound is a turn off.

Is this 1001 crap British new wave albums you must hear before you die? Seriously, I’ve had a wildly disproportionate number of albums from this garbage genre. 2 stars only because it’s not unintelligible.

New Wave drivel. Overuse of horns doesn't help.

Nick Heyward seems like a cross between Liam Gallagher and Jon Lovitz's Annoying Man.

Dull, and the singer is quite poor. Some great basslines though.

Big meh tbh. It's fine and pretty catchy but it's all so samey, there are no standout tracks here. I don't hate it but there were more interesting offerings from the 80s than this, surprised it made the list

Ganz nett, aber recht uninteressant

People have tried time and time again to be as good as Talking Heads, and every time their sound gets imitated I remember that their sound and style is simply too uniquely theirs for any other band to ever pull off.

If yesterday's album was very very 70s in every way, then today's album is pure 80s britpop af in every way. It's not bad and it's not very good either. Just okay, liked some of the songs and enjoyed listening to it. 2/5 —————————————— Liked: — Lemon Firebrigade — Marine Boy

Typical new wave, nothing particularly ear-catching.

This is almost the definition of inessential; what is Dimery thinking? Bubblegum 80s pop that didn't even stand out among its contemporaries at the time. A low two.

Cornier than Iowa, this is the Talking Heads x Kenny G mash up you don't know you needed (you didn't). XTC for band geeks, Orange juice for yuppies, it's all smooth funky artifice, a disco mirrorball synthpop sax jam session. It oscillates wildly between fun and God awful, even within each song, even simultaneously - very confusing.

It's a bop but altogether not very interesting. Another Brit biased choice.

This seems very much in line with something I WOULD like but it’s just not doing it for me. It’s got a nice blend of snappy rock with just tinges of funk and reggae influence; bouncy horn blasts; pop songwriting that isn’t too shallow. I guess it’s just a little too polite? I probably won’t be thinking about it much after a few days. I like the track “Baked Beans” which reminds me of “Electric Avenue” or Big Audio Dynamite (I think this was recorded around the same time as Eddy Grant’s album, I’m not sure which came first). But the rest of it wasn’t enough to bring it up to a 3.

Much 1980s.