EU import. My jewel case has a "special edition" sticker on the front, but I can't find anything about the contents that would make it special. Your guess is as good as mine.
The debut album from the British (then) folky sophisti-pop duo. They lean heavily on a bossa nova groove throughout and it all goes down easily. Smooth adult contemporary, but not particularly memorable.
This album wasn't released in the US. In their wisdom, the record company executives at Sire thought it would be better to release a self-titled compilation of tracks in North America. That particular release did not chart.
Press of the time:
- Smash Hits (8 out of 10): "Very summery, very smoochy and very well put together. An impressive debut album."
- Record Mirror (★★★★): "If you like to sway, smooch, get mellow'n'soothed while your thoughts are provoked, this is the one for your private moment."
- Eurotipsheet/Music & Media: "a whole album is a bit too much as the material rends to complete anonymity in the long run."
- The Virgin Encyclopedia of Eighties Music (1997): ★★★★
Peak on the US Billboard Top 200 chart: Not released in the US, #14 in the UK
Tracks: The album kicks off with Each And Every One, which was the only single released from the album and peaked at #28 in the UK. It is the best track and an obvious pick for single release. The rest are along the same lines but with either fewer hooks or in need of further development. Great for relaxed background music (or "smoochy" music) but really doesn't stand up to repeated active listening. I tend to skip the final track, Soft Touch, which just seems out of tune and out of place.
Personal Memory Associated with this CD: None. I was oblivious to this music in 1984, and I didn't really get into the sophisti-pop genre until Swing Out Sister hit the scene so who knows if I would have been interested in this one back then.
Previously revisited for the blog:
Missing (1995)
Amplified Heart (1994)
Acoustic (1992)
Worldwide (1991)
The Language Of Life (1990)
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