Customer Reviews

The Sea Of Love

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

An excellent album from a band that took their stab in the mid to late 80's. Formed out of the remnants of the Starjets, the Adventures were at their most mainstream on "The Sea of Love," with polished production, gorgeous harmonies, and hooks that are catchy as all get-out. At the time it probably would've been called 'alternative,' but this is very accessible stuff. The first two tracks are sweepingly beautiful highlights. Subsequent to this, the band worked with Langer/Winstanley and went into a sound that can best be called Celtic country. If you wanna check them out, best to go with this one. ABBA meets The Waterboys? Crazy as it sounds, it's the best description I can give you. And it works.

This is one of the best melodic rock cds from the late 80's. I have their debut self titled effort on cassett. It's pretty good too, almost as good as The Sea Of Love. It was issued in I believe the UK as 'Theodore And Friends' and sometimes goes for like $100 on ebay. Get with it people! When stuff goes for that high on ebay, it needs a reissue.

By the way, before they were the Adventures, they were the Starjets (or at least 2 members or the Adventures were). If you like cool melodic power pop, you may REALLY enjoy GOD BLESS THE STARJETS.

When I first heard them in 1987, I wore the tape out. I'm delighted this CD can still be purchased. This band comes from the New Wave era and that's how I found them, but don't pidgeon-hole them. They definately have the Irish sound, are very lyrical, and the songs, all fairly of a type, are not your typical goofy 80's pop rock music. Perhaps that's why we didn't hear of them more! If you get the chance, give them a try.

I've had this album for over two decades and I still can put it on and deeply appreciate it - this is pop music at its best. Each song is craftfully arranged that it starts off with a simple structure and then more and more instruments are added to you finally have a Phil Spector Wall of Sound effect. Their follow-up Secrets was much more bare bones

The harmonies and melodies just shine on this album. Definitely a summer album, a feel good, I'm in love with the world album. Never understood why it didn't get the exposure/recognition it deserved. It is an 80s album but the use of instruments doesn't pigeonhole it to that era where it ends up really standing the test of time.

At last the CD of this wonderful album. It's a shame this album never reached cult status.

But perhaps this Cd will do. HIGHLY praised!!!!!!!!!

The Adventures probably got their greatest recognition in America with their second album, "The Sea Of Love." It is also quite a different sound from their debut and then their third CD, "Trading Secrets with the Moon." While "Trading Secrets..." was spare, folkish guitar pop, "The Sea Of Love" was heavy on the keyboards and took its cues from Simple Minds and U2. Like the best of those Irish/Scottish bands, "The Sea Of Love" found The Adventures in high epic fashion.

The title track opens with a breath-taking multi-tracked a cappella burst and then explodes with rich production and a soaring melody. It is a romantic song of falling head over heels, and sets the tone for the rest of the album. Love and all its side-effects cascade through "The Sea of Love," with the naive romanticism of new love in the title-track, the desire to protect that love in "You Don't Have To Cry Anymore" to the burned heartbreak of "Heaven Knows Which Way."

It is the love of country, however, that provides "Sea Of Love" with its finest moment. "Broken Land" echoes songwriter Pat Gribben's heartbreak at localized and global conflict with the plea;

"Show me the love to keep us together.
Open Your Hearts, don't turn me away.
Comfort me through this stormy weather.
From where I stand, I see a broken land."

It is also rich in minor key keyboards and choral harmonies. It was an epic song on a CD that didn't have a dog song on it. Released as a single (I even have a 3-inch mini-CD!), it's a shame that it - and by extension, this full CD -never fully caught on in the states.

As one of the CD's that slipped through the cracks of my collection many years ago, I was thrilled to find it here on Amazon as a not-too-pricey import. So if U2 circa "October" and "Unforgettable Fire" or Simple Minds' "Once Upon A Time" are essential records in your collection, I'd advise you to get some "Sea Of Love" in your life. The Adventures, for this one CD in their discography, matched the best of those albums.

Every song on this disc is a highlight, save one. A few would be highlights from any well-known band. As a total package, this disc rates with the most solid of the decade. The sound is fresh and holds up well after 14 years. I can't say they sound like any other band, but the vocals are clear and crisp, the harmonies are dramatic, and the instrumentation is moving. Look for the harder to find 1st album "The Adventures". Not as good overall, but has a few gems on it.

Here's a sleeper from the 80s that shouldn't have been missed. This powerful, valiant album from this U.K./Irish sextet deserved a whole sea of love and attention for this spectacular effort. Of all the strong tracks on their sophomore album, all written by guitarist Pat Gribben, my favorites are "Drowning in the Sea of Love," "Broken Land," "You Don't Have to Cry Anymore," "When Your Heart Was Young" and "One Step From Heaven." On "Broken Land" you can hear the Adventures blending sweet and soaring Celtic sounds to their majestic pop stylings long before the Corrs and that titanic French-Canadien songstress. If you're a fan of U2, Big Country, and even Savage Garden, you will be happy to have this CD.

...I KNOW THE 80S ARE SO FAR BUT THIS KIND OF MUSIC MUST REMAINS...

IT'S A WONDERFUL ALBUM TO RECOMMAND TO ANYONE, STILL MODERN AND ACTUAL!

BELIEVE ME AND LISTEN TO IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I've been always big Adventures fan. Once again, another band that just didn't get the billing they deserved.

A talented Irish band featuring strong lead vocals, terrific guitar work and great backing vocals, The Adventures come across as an "alternative" sounding version of The Coors.

"Sea of Love" is by far the best collective work of their 4 albums in my opinion. The self titled US release (a remixed "Theodore and Friends") prolly has my 2 favorite Adventures tracks on it; still this CD is outstanding from top to bottom.

A large part pop, although not as poppy as "Lions and Tigers and Bears" and part folk, although not nearly as folky as "Trading Secrets with the Moon", this CD represented the pinnacle of the Adventures popularity.

"Broken Land" is superb. Terry's voice is just something special, even more so on this song. "Sea of Love" is equally magnicficent, a great sweeping track. My favorite track on this CD has to be "When Your Heart was Young", it delivers a great punch.

A great little CD, well worth acquiring.