Customer Reviews

Love Not Money

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is the kind of musical pleasance that represents the best of what true pop can be. Simple and catchy without ever coming close to stupid--lyrically and musically solid. This thing stayed in my Walkman for about a year straight when it came out. It's little use getting into which songs stand out, as there isn't a weak one in the bunch, but the closer, "Angel," leaves absolutely nothing to be desired. Dig in. Whatever you know about this band, they've never been better than this.

The combination of these two highly talented people is extremely addictive. Don't say you haven't been warned! This (or any) EBTG album will leave you wanting more. I first heard Tracey Thorn's powerfully beautiful voice when she covered "The Paris Match" for The Syle Council. From the opening beats of the first track, "When All's Well", I was HOOKED forever. Every song on this album is a keeper: beautiful melodies and a jazzy acoustic sound throughout make for a guaranteed enjoyable listen that is head and shoulders above most (if not all) of the other production-line pop that dominated the era. The cover of The Pretender's hit "Kid" is not to be missed, in my opinion ten times better than the original. Don't hesitate a moment longer...pick this one up, it's a real gem. After this album has left you wanting more, I HIGHLY recommend (in no particular order): IDLEWILD (1988), BABY, THE STARS SHINE BRIGHT (1986) and THE LANGUAGE OF LIFE (1990).

Listen to this CD on a hot summer afternoon while drinking tequila and chain smoking--it's an engulfing experience.

EbtG have gone through a number of phases (bosa nova, acoustic, techno) - this album is more ballads and folk rock, but may be the best collection of melodies they've put together. To that they coupled sharp but not over-the-top social/political observations (my favorite - from "Are You Trying to Be Funny?" where a well to do man preserves his conscience by praying "may the bad things in life come in twos and not threes") - themes later covered later with less subtlety by the Housemartins. I agree with the reviewer that this reissue should have been padded with some of the bonus b-sides, but at least it has the 2 tracks that made the US release (but not the original UK). If you liked the original version of "Missing" definitely pick up on this.

Have you really noticed the names of the rhythm session
musicians participating on this album: drummer / vocalist
June Miles Kingston (former member of MODETTES, FUN BOY THREE, guest vocalist on JIMMY SOMMERVILLE'S cover version
of FRANCOISE HARDY'S Comment Te Dire Adieu), bass player
Phil Moxham (ex-YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS & ex-GIST member, whose
single Love At First Sight is one of British Pop music's
unique moments).EBTG's music is so ethereal, full of positive
energy & seductive harmonies you needn't worry about missing
some camouflaged political or social message.I wish, I was
once again TABULA RASA, and those two were the ones to shape
with their magic chalk the colours of my heart.

I've had this album in my collection since it came out in the mid 80s. By far my favorite of theirs.

This was such an astonishing display of versatility for EBTG - they'd been labeled "new jazz" and lumped in with the likes of Sade, the Style Council and Matt Bianco, so to hear shimmering, jangly guitars was a surprise and a joy.

It also showcased the main secret of their versatility - no matter what genre they use (jazz, pop, orchestra, electronica), the songs are always unmistakably EBTG.

The finest tracks here are "When All's Well", "Are You Trying to Be Funny?" "Ballad of the Times" and "Trouble and Strife."

I still remember seeing the video from this album back in the 1980s when it was released, and being mesmerized by the gorgeous vocals, lush guitar, and strong messages. The early music of EBTG is reminiscent of Style Council and even REM - very different from the electronica part of their collection. All are wonderful. This album has consistently excellent tracks, and all land on my iPod regularly - even decades later.

i've encountered this album back in 1985. ebtg was introduced in the philippines as part of the new wave movement. cathchy tunes like when all's well, ballad of the times, shoot me down were the staple of this cd. if you love ebtg now you would have love them 20 years ago. back in high-school, a friend loaned me a vinyl copy of this and hey it took me a months to return it. fast forward to 2006: when i began buying online, i remembered this great recording and bought it for nostalgia's sake.

My first gift to my old girlfrind was a vinil record.
25 years later I could gave it again to her - my wife.
Sentimentals apart... delivered safety and on time here in Brazil.
Just right

While the outside credits omit this information, this disc DOES contain the "bonus tracks" included in the US version -- "Heaven Help Me" and "Kid". The mastering surpasses the US cd edition. Whether it's worth an extra $15 depends on your budget and the quality of your sound system.