It's Better to Travel

Swing Out Sister | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Original Release Date: January 1, 1987
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Island / Mercury
• ASIN: B000001FMC
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  Audio Cassette  |  Vinyl  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #26,459 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

No Description Available.
Genre: Popular Music
Media Format: Compact Disk
Rating:
Release Date: 20-JUL-1987

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Living in a twilight world with SOS, February 29, 2004

By 

Daniel J. Hamlow (Narita, Japan) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: It's Better to Travel (Audio CD)

Sade was not the only one infusing jazz in her brand of pop. Another British group, Swing Out Sister, led by smooth-voiced Corrine Drewery, she of the Louise Brookes hairdo, was doing the same, only their sound was more peppy, using horns to enhance a backbeat of drums and mostly bass keyboards. The result is a kind of snazzy, lush, dreamy brand of UK jazz pop, the soundtrack for some jet-setters in a cocktail lounge on some ocean-liner.

The single "Breakout" uses airy Pet Shop Boys-type synths, funky keyboards, percussion, string synths, and a fresh horn ensemble in the chorus and bridge. In the NAD mix, also included here, the funky keyboards have been removed in the intro, repeated instrumental fills and loops, instrumentals of the string synths, the removal of airy synths in the bridge, and all the other stuff one's come to expect from remixes.

Its fellow single "Twilight World," sports pronounced snazzy horns and more string synths than "Breakout." "Don't be fooled by love songs and lonely hearts, you're living in a twilight world" sings Corrine, surrounded by a flurry of horns and strings that the Pet Shop Boys and Dusty Springfield would ache to use. And there's a nice vibe instrumental used here. Yes, one does get tired of lonely crowds, friendly faces, and for some privacy. As for the remix, there are different keyboards, a harmonica, there's an obnoxious monologue from some jerk talking about a girl demanding some sort of contract and advances, to which he says, "she'd have to get a body transplant to get an advance from me." That better not be about Corrine.

"After Hours" is a thoughtful, reflective airy synth ballad with a sax (or sax-like synth), describing a lonely night, "spent with no one at all," sharing "another common distance to no-one at all." A moody tempo sets in the last minute or so with the accompaniment of a lounging bass and piano.

"Surrender" is another single, not as upbeat as "Breakout" though it features the same instrumentation, plus some backup singers, while Corrine sings repeatedly about waiting for love to take revenge.

Words whether they be lies or broken promises, will leave one unguarded, or "Fooled By A Smile." A more brisk number with the synth and brass package still kicking.

"Communion" is a moody synth- and drum-heavy ballad, and is what is needed with someone when life's a crime. The strings kick in the last half of the song. However, there are parts where Corrine's voice is nearly drowned out by the instruments. There is an instrumental of this track included. I can pick out some sax undiscernible in the vocal version.

Speaking of instrumentals, "Theme" is another moody piece wavering between airy synths mixed with guitar-like sounds and a loud otherworldy modern orchestral piece with a barely discernible chorus.

I'd heard "Breakout" when it first came out, and only years later, bothered to pick up this album and two others by Swing Out Sister, Get In Touch With Yourself and Kaleidoscope World. An interesting mix of dreamy jazz-pop and moody synth ballads, with great vocals by Corrine Drewery herself.

9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Catchy songs that just keep growing on you., December 8, 2000

By 

Glenn "Glenn98" (Bergenfield, NJ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: It's Better to Travel (Audio CD)

When I first bought this CD, I did so because I liked the two hit singles "Breakout" and "Twilight World". Well, was I ever in for a treat. All of the original songs are good from "Breakout" to the excellent instrumental finale "It's Better to Travel". I could do without the extended and somewhat altered dance mix versions that they stuck at the end although the instrumental version of "Communion" isn't bad. Good upbeat music for the car. I'm surprised that "Fooled by a Smile" was never released as a single as this is probably the most catchy and soon became my favorite. This one's a real keeper!!

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Music to bring civilization out of a coma, February 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: It's Better to Travel (Audio CD)

What was that???? Was that music???? But it does not sound like all that other music!!!! Wake up .... Can your stereo take it???? Why it's music to move this culture to a new level. If your ears are not burned out from ten years of Huey Lewis and the News then take a listen. Musicans are more important than you might think. BUY THIS ALBUM!!!!!!