Promises and Lies

UB 40

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 27, 1993)
• Original Release Date: July 27, 1993
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Virgin Records Us
• ASIN: B000000WJV
• Also Available in: Audio Cassette  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #79,579 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

It's no coincidence that UB40's biggest hits and most pleasurable songs have been their reggae-rock remakes of other acts' songs--Neil Diamond's "Red Red Wine," Sonny and Cher's "I Got You Babe," the Chi- Lites' "Homely Girl," Bob Dylan's "I'll Be Your Baby Tonight," and so on. Only 1 of the 11 numbers on Promises and Lies is a cover tune, but the band's remake of Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" is a real treat. Featured in the film Sliver, the ballad gets a new momentum from UB40's horns and rhythm section and finds its obsessive quality reinforced by the reggae-dub echoes. The album also includes "Reggae Music," a delightful dancehall workout which neatly balances Astro's reggae toasting against Ali and Robin Campbell's sweetly sung pop-soul hook. Unfortunately, the other 9 songs are full of steady grooves and admirable sentiments but little in the way of melody or fresh ideas that might separate them from hundreds of similar reggae exercises. --Geoffrey Himes

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars UB40's best studio effort (ever), March 4, 2001

By	Ken Hoin "Music Kook" (Fairfield, CT, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I'm a big UB40 fan and I can easily say this album represents the best of their studio work. The band has been haunted by the commercial success of their cover hits but this album clearly demonstrates that they can write and arrange great original work. "Things ain't like they used to be" is one of the best UB40 singles never released. Other standouts include "Promises and Lies", C'est Levie", "Higher Ground" and the two last tracks. Overall, one of the 90's most underrated classics.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music, February 23, 2002

By	Donna G. Grayson "Donna G. Grayson" (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews

I saw UB40 at the Greek Theatre about the time this CD was first released. Listening to this CD brings back the memories of those times. "Higher Ground" and "Can't Help Falling in Love" are the hits that bring back the most memories. This is one of those CDs I play time and time again.

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Good Reggae, August 15, 1998

By A Customer

Their remake of "I can't help but Falling in Love" is worth the price of the CD alone. They take the song to a new level.