I will vigorously fly the flag for Prefab Sprout. I had the honor of talking about them at length with Joi on her radio show just a little while back (because, stop me) AND I've reprinted/updated my interview with Paddy here on my Substack. The record label publicist who helped arrange the chat knew I also kinda...sorta... well, pretty much... had a teensy crush on Paddy and kinda... sorta... well, pretty much TOLD HIM before the interview, which was a huge source of embarrassment to me, as I was not one to fangirl over an interview subject. However, Paddy was a pure joy to speak with – I think it was the longest talk I had during my early music writing days – as he revealed (and I mentioned in the article) he'd dyed his hair – and hadn't told his mum about it!
Great post and great review of a record I'm admittedly unfamiliar with, but now curious to check out. However, I don't think I can forgive the shade, in your intro, towards George Michael, Madonna and Michael Jackson 😂 Congratulatory circus of the absurd with musical creativity tacking a backseat? These three artists, each in their way, were trailblazers. What they did was way more than pure image or just for show. In fact, I'd say that the image elements they introduced through their (IMO) ground-breaking records helped re-shape and redefine preconceived notions of body image, thus making huge contributions to society in ways other artists have simply failed to achieve. (Here I'd add Prince to the list although I realise he tends to get less of a bashing than George, Madonna and MJ). Just my two cents.
Paddy McAloon - a living legend and sophisti-pop music genius (with a touch of harmless God-bothering thrown in). The master of the metaphor and Steve McQueen is probably one of the most perfect pop albums in the entire world. I may not believe that there is a single album that the whole world can enjoy, but I really and truly can't imagine a demographic that wouldn't accept this masterful work with open arms.
Swoon to this and every one of the Prefab's albums. Oh - and his lyrical masterstrokes... (here are just a sample)
"I've lost just what it takes to be honest, You offer infrared instead of sun, You offer bubble gum, You give me Faron Young "Four In The Morning"..."
"When love breaks down, The things you do, To stop the truth from hurting you, When love breaks down, The lies we tell, They only serve to fool ourselves"
...and then there's...
"I've got six things on my mind, and you're not one of them" (ouch) from the saddest song ever written: 'Desire As'
Thanks, Geoff.....all of this and more! What first grabbed me, in real time, as these albums dropped, were the easily (and consistently) gorgeous melodies. I'd listen to, say, "Two Wheels Good" at the time (maybe doing something else), and when it ended, I'd go, "Hmmm, that was an easy listen, and made me feel good," and I'd put it on again, this time with a lot more determined interest.
I'm not, historically, a lyric guy, but as Paddy enunciated clearly (and Dolby recorded him that way, too!), it was easy for me to, now, be completely won over by his lyrics! I instantly recognized and could hear in my head, the melodies that accompany the lyrics you quoted!
I've always drawn a connective tissue between the two men behind my two favorite '80s-era bands: Scritti Politti (and their Green Gartside...and, frequently, David Gamson) and Prefab and Paddy. Two wildly talented gentlemen whose backing musicians (and producers) were tasked with transmitting the written charts to the rolling tape. Their music (to my ears....and heart) was lightyears ahead and above the bloated dance tracks that mostly took over that MTV decade!
Thanks for reading, and adding your memorable comment, Geoff! Please know you're always welcome FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE!
Thanks, Nick.....that compilation certainly looks like it'd be a great resource in anybody's collection! I'm happy to share Matt's terrific review of the album, FR&B!
I really like that collection. My sense is that people who were really into that scene don't like the collection because it's too broad and doesn't tell a clear story, but from my perspective it's an example of a Rhino collection done well -- with decent liner notes.
I knew who Prefab Sprout were yet I wasn't aware of their magnetism with these classic, alternative pop sound. I was listening to a lot of Cyndi Lauper, Men at Work, Pat Benatar, Thompson Twins, Duran Duran, and even XTC. Thomas Dolby is an innovator in his own right. He founded HeadSpace. His distinctive style as an artist and producer sometimes is overlooked.
Paddy McAloon & Co should have went deeper on the US charts. Thanks for the road odyssey down '80s Electric Avenue.
I will vigorously fly the flag for Prefab Sprout. I had the honor of talking about them at length with Joi on her radio show just a little while back (because, stop me) AND I've reprinted/updated my interview with Paddy here on my Substack. The record label publicist who helped arrange the chat knew I also kinda...sorta... well, pretty much... had a teensy crush on Paddy and kinda... sorta... well, pretty much TOLD HIM before the interview, which was a huge source of embarrassment to me, as I was not one to fangirl over an interview subject. However, Paddy was a pure joy to speak with – I think it was the longest talk I had during my early music writing days – as he revealed (and I mentioned in the article) he'd dyed his hair – and hadn't told his mum about it!
Great stuff, Amy....thanks! Feel free to add a link to your updated interview here....it'd be a great add!
Here 'tis:
https://writehearpopculture.substack.com/p/the-alternating-currents-legacy-interview-paddy-mcaloon-prefab-sprout
Great post and great review of a record I'm admittedly unfamiliar with, but now curious to check out. However, I don't think I can forgive the shade, in your intro, towards George Michael, Madonna and Michael Jackson 😂 Congratulatory circus of the absurd with musical creativity tacking a backseat? These three artists, each in their way, were trailblazers. What they did was way more than pure image or just for show. In fact, I'd say that the image elements they introduced through their (IMO) ground-breaking records helped re-shape and redefine preconceived notions of body image, thus making huge contributions to society in ways other artists have simply failed to achieve. (Here I'd add Prince to the list although I realise he tends to get less of a bashing than George, Madonna and MJ). Just my two cents.
Paddy McAloon - a living legend and sophisti-pop music genius (with a touch of harmless God-bothering thrown in). The master of the metaphor and Steve McQueen is probably one of the most perfect pop albums in the entire world. I may not believe that there is a single album that the whole world can enjoy, but I really and truly can't imagine a demographic that wouldn't accept this masterful work with open arms.
Swoon to this and every one of the Prefab's albums. Oh - and his lyrical masterstrokes... (here are just a sample)
"I've lost just what it takes to be honest, You offer infrared instead of sun, You offer bubble gum, You give me Faron Young "Four In The Morning"..."
"When love breaks down, The things you do, To stop the truth from hurting you, When love breaks down, The lies we tell, They only serve to fool ourselves"
...and then there's...
"I've got six things on my mind, and you're not one of them" (ouch) from the saddest song ever written: 'Desire As'
Thanks, Geoff.....all of this and more! What first grabbed me, in real time, as these albums dropped, were the easily (and consistently) gorgeous melodies. I'd listen to, say, "Two Wheels Good" at the time (maybe doing something else), and when it ended, I'd go, "Hmmm, that was an easy listen, and made me feel good," and I'd put it on again, this time with a lot more determined interest.
I'm not, historically, a lyric guy, but as Paddy enunciated clearly (and Dolby recorded him that way, too!), it was easy for me to, now, be completely won over by his lyrics! I instantly recognized and could hear in my head, the melodies that accompany the lyrics you quoted!
I've always drawn a connective tissue between the two men behind my two favorite '80s-era bands: Scritti Politti (and their Green Gartside...and, frequently, David Gamson) and Prefab and Paddy. Two wildly talented gentlemen whose backing musicians (and producers) were tasked with transmitting the written charts to the rolling tape. Their music (to my ears....and heart) was lightyears ahead and above the bloated dance tracks that mostly took over that MTV decade!
Thanks for reading, and adding your memorable comment, Geoff! Please know you're always welcome FRONT ROW & BACKSTAGE!
Thank you Matt for the write-up and Brad for highlighting it.
I probably first heard Prefab Sprout on the Left Of The Dial compilation ( https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Left_of_the_Dial:_Dispatches_from_the_%2780s_Underground ) , and I'd mentally included them in that group, without paying a lot of attention.
But, I appreciate Matt highlighting both the songwriting and Dolby's production; both of which are top-notch.
Thanks, Nick.....that compilation certainly looks like it'd be a great resource in anybody's collection! I'm happy to share Matt's terrific review of the album, FR&B!
I really like that collection. My sense is that people who were really into that scene don't like the collection because it's too broad and doesn't tell a clear story, but from my perspective it's an example of a Rhino collection done well -- with decent liner notes.
I knew who Prefab Sprout were yet I wasn't aware of their magnetism with these classic, alternative pop sound. I was listening to a lot of Cyndi Lauper, Men at Work, Pat Benatar, Thompson Twins, Duran Duran, and even XTC. Thomas Dolby is an innovator in his own right. He founded HeadSpace. His distinctive style as an artist and producer sometimes is overlooked.
Paddy McAloon & Co should have went deeper on the US charts. Thanks for the road odyssey down '80s Electric Avenue.