Released: 28 August 1990
Chosen By: Paul
Comments -
Paul: I'd been getting decreasing returns from Prefab Sprout albums so stopped buying after Protest Songs and had never heard this record previously. We Let the Stars Go is beautiful, Looking for Atlantis and Carnival 2000 have their merits but after that I'm not that into it.
Sure there are good bits, clever bits, fun bits, charming bits, less interesting bits and some bits I don't like at all but I'm not getting enough bits that really grab me, make me sit up and take notice. It's alright, if too long, but if I could time travel and go back to 1990 I'd tell myself not to be be disappointed about not buying it.
Ben: Can you have too much of a good thing? Yes, I think so, especially where Prefab Sprout’s tuneful, light, pop songs are concerned. Unlike Paul I did buy this on its release and definitely think of it fondly - I listen to it every so often. The songs, listened to individually, are great pop tunes, very enjoyable, interesting but generally low energy. Paddy’s voice is beautifully smooth and blends perfectly with the music.
However, after 19 songs and 64 minutes you have to agree with the phrase ‘less is more’ - which is hard for me as it was a favourite of one of my old managers and he was a complete c&nt! I reckon they could have made two better albums just by splitting this one in half. Anyway I still think of both PS and this album very fondly and lament that I never got round to seeing them live.
Dean: I remember Steve McQueen with some affection. Not sure how it arrived. My sister was a member of a distribution company which delivered even when no order was made, and like so many of those fostered records, I heard them often, and grew to like them. The thing about Jordan the comeback is not it's undoubted good breeding but it's incongruity. It has little in common with our everyday experience of life. It flutters someway outside the visceral in a world departed or perhaps in a dream.
Not altogether a bad thing I suppose and I have my eye set on the unconventional usually and this record hits the mark. I agree that it tends to intrigue but not necessarily to delight. It has been an enjoyable distraction. An escape for a while but not a great one. I'd liken it to a Hollywood Romcom or an airbrushed landscape. Just about recognisable but distant at the same time. I might even be doing my sister a disservice. Thinking back, I think Steve McQueen must have belonged to her. Not sure about Jordan.
Stu: I did spend a night listening to this lp this week and I will listen again tonight when going to bed! I do love Prefab Sprout and Paddy is super talented and I love the band style and visual persona! Up there with George Best, Steve McQueen is majestic!!
A BEAUTIFUL LP, proper songs written and delivered in a luscious style! I love this LP, a definite listen to rather than have on! Lying in bed soaking up the majesty! A proper 🌟
He’s a talented bugger is Paddy! I love the lilt, the pace, the lyrics, the sound, the voice, the backing, it’s all deliciously delivered! Their LPS after this are also very good!!
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