Customer Reviews

Story of a Young Heart

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Yes, we AFOS fans are rejoicing to have the third LP by the band FINALLY released on CD. And while the other releases failed to include some crucial 12" versions and b-sides, this one barely makes a mistake. It's worth it just to have the b-side "Living in Heaven," which is strong enough to have been an LP track. The 12" version of "Never Again (The Dancer)" is great to have here, but it's always been an oddity to me, since it is only about 10 seconds longer than the LP version and is actually more like a dub. The Full Moon Mix of "The More You Live" is similarly more of a dub and really nothing like the original song.

The HUGE problem comes with the supposed 7" mix of The More You Live The More You Love. I've always preferred the 7" mix, and unfortunately, here, they've included the LP version TWICE instead of actually including the 7" mix as listed! (Thanks Ziad for pointing that out). To get the Chris Porter 7" mix, you'll have to buy the "Best of" CD released YEARS ago, which doesn't even MENTION that it is the 7" mix. Another possible similar problem is, I'm also trying to figure out how the supposed 7" version of "remember david" is any different than the LP version. They are the same exact length, and as far as I can tell, the mixes don't sound any different at all. I will have to give them a closer listen, but I'm wondering if maybe the original 7" was just an EDIT of the LP version, and they accidentally included the LP version twice? And finally, Lost Control (totally) is the 4 minute version used as a 7" b-side instead of the extended version used on the 12" single. Bummer.

One last thing to note, the liner notes state that all tracks are produced by Steve Lovell except tracks 13 and 15, which claim to be produced by Mike Howlett (who worked on the first two albums). However, track 13, the 7" of Never Again, is just an edit of the LP version, and as far as I know, track 15, "Living in Heaven", was not produced by Mike Howlett, so I think the information is incorrect. I can not find any info on the internet to prove that either of these tracks was produced by Howlett.

A Flock of Seagulls may have had bigger commercial success in 82, but 1984's "The Story of A Young Heart" is truly AFOS at their best! The music is tight and together, the studio quality is excellent, and the theme that was chosen for this, their third album, is far more identifiable I think: Telling a story of... well, a heart that is young I guess. Love, dancing, desire, admiration, longing, trust, break-up, suicide, people named "David"... This album has it all. It's still got that kind've "alienated" AFOS alt-rock sound, but it is also VERY polished and maybe a bit more on the "New Romantic" side of things.
To summarize, AFOS did have some outstanding cuts on their previous albums but, as a whole album, "The Story of A Young Heart" is the best of the three. It's just too bad that those hoser record companies haven't made this album a priority reissue... (Epecially after they re-released every OTHER AFOS album on CD).

I remember the negative press this album got back in the day. It seemed "The Flock" was doomed even before anyone got a chance to hear "The Story Of A Young Heart". I think I caught a 10 second snippet of "The More You Live..." video on MTV, ONCE. THEY (MTV and RADIO) never played it. The deck was stacked, the game was rigged, the powers that be already decided to write these guys off.

Fast forward 25 years...

I decided to take a chance on something that I believed was horrible, just because of what other people (MEDIA) said, and purchased "The Story Of A Young Heart".

Well, I can honestly say that this recording is quite strong and is a great bookend to their musical trilogy. You won't find any eclectic or outlandish songs like "The Traveller" or "Standing In The Doorway", but what you will find on this recording, are more polished and straightforward songs in the vein of "Transfer Affection" and "Space Age Love Song". It's just an all around great, competent, classic sounding "Flock" album with their signature keyboards and guitar melodies (with a solid rhythm section to boot). The only detrimental observation I made while listening, was that the tempo of the first 5 songs or so never seemed to "take off". This is minor however, and can be solved by listening to it on shuffle (or better yet, making your "best of" mix CD).

Strong Songs: Heart of Steel, Never Again, The End, The Story of a Young Heart

This album brought me back to a great time and put a smile on my face. It was like discovering buried treasure. Don't wait any longer, pick it up, it's worth it.

The Story of a Young Heart

What a delight to now have a remastered version and expanded edition of, "The Story of a Young Heart." I bought the album way back when it first came out. It was a drastic departure from the 'gulls other material. It was more melodic, simplistic, yet complicated in that it was really a concept album that unfortunately the public never fell in love with. And, this remaster has an excellent sound to it. With "Young Heart" the 'gulls had reached a pinnacle in their craftsmanship. The songs were more accessible, readily easy to remember and that is what makes a great pop album. But "Young Heart" was more than just pure pop it had character that left me wanting more......and now...I have it. If your a 'gulls fan then this is well worth it.

A Flock Of Seagulls, a new wave band that caught the tail-end of the new romantic/post punk scene, had put out two albums by the time The Story Of A Young Heart was recorded. For the first part of their career (and the most famous period), the band consisted of Mike Score on lead vocals/keyboard/occasional guitar, Paul Reynolds on guitar and backing vocals, bassist Frank Maudsley, and Ali Score on drums. Their eponymous first album, released in 1982, was a tight and catchy pop masterpiece with punk-like energy and simple but effective instrumentation. Next came 1983's Listen; while still a solid release, it strayed away from the youthful energy of the debut, offering a more pop-oriented sound. A year later, The Story Of A Young Heart was released.

My favorite AFOS album will always be their first (I celebrated when I found a relatively rare used copy in a store, and celebrated again when it was finally remastered with bonus tracks). The truth is, anything that AFOS has or will record subsequently will always be compared to this first album. Luckily, TSOAYH stands alone very well, also.

Many reviewers have sung the praises of this album (and rightfully so), but have also declared that they initially could not get into this album quite like they could the first two. The opposite was true for me; I was immediately hooked. After listening to *ahem* Listen though, I was at first a bit underwhelmed, but then quickly warmed up to it. With TSOAYH, after the drum machine intro of the title track led into a trademark Paul Reynolds guitar line, I was instantly convinced that this was a solid AFOS record. In fact, this feeling never really died for me throughout the duration of the album. Isn't that what most AFOS fans want, anyway- a proper AFOS record? It's brilliant.

TSOAYH, to me, is the proper successor to the first album. I felt Listen had too many synthesizers and triggers, which drowned out the rest of the instrumentation. TSOAYH pushes Reynold's guitar back to the forefront, with the familiar delay and phaser-laden tone that we got used to on the first album. Maudsley's bass is excellent and punchy as always, and here he tames the funk thing he was going for on parts of Listen. Mike Score is, well, Mike Score; if you've heard him sing at all, you know what to expect. For fans of the first album, the song "The More You Live, The More You Love" is very "Space Age Love Song" in style. Also, "Remember David" has an "I Ran" feeling to it, with its dark vibe, upbeat tempo, and echo-y guitar. Both are standout tracks; really, the only song which doesn't quite live up to the rest is "European (I Wish I Was)", but even this has a simple but satisfying instrumental break in place of a chorus. If taken as a whole album, this is possibly AFOS' best.

Much to the delight of AFOS fans, this album was remastered and re-released with bonus tracks, and is now widely available. Cherry Pop Records did well with the remaster, with an essay, numerous photos of the band, and a comprehensive discography. It was mentioned in other reviews that a couple of bonus tracks, instead of being 7" versions, were actually repeated regular album tracks. This seems to be the case, so please take note.

I do not recommend this as a first A Flock Of Seagulls album (for that, I suggest their self-titled). But for those who have said album and are looking for more, you will not be disappointed here. Overall, any of AFOS' first three albums are worth getting for the dedicated 80's new wave fan. If you are such a fan, with this remaster, there is no excuse for not buying it. Four stars.

This is one of very few albums I like to listen to & play drums along with straight through. Every song leads to the next & I get a good workout. I really like to 'tear up' "Remember David" on drums 'cuz that song really rips. Bass, Guitar, Vocals, all great, too bad this album was so overlooked!

At last this album is finally available on CD. Originally issued in 1984, and loosely conceptual in its focus on matters of young love and identity, "Young Heart" was AFOS' most accomplished, well-produced, and stylistically cohesive effort. It didn't score the big hits that their self-entitled debut did ("I Ran" and "Space Age Love Song"), but it was a more fully developed direct descendent of that sound. A masterpiece of mid '80's New Wave, its unfortunate lack of success led guitarist Paul Reynolds to leave the band, and AFOS was never the same. They may seem like a two-hit wonder to a lot of folks, but this album suggests that this band had far more potential than was ever realized. The added remixes are a matter of taste, but they're delightfully typical of the time.

This album derserves more credit than what in recieved back in 1984. Its really nice to see this album re-released in 2008, (sooner would have been better though). The bonus tracks on the album are real treat, especially "Living Heaven" which is a real rarity. Listening to the album you can tell alot of effort went into each of the songs. You won't find any filler anywhere on album. The CD is a good listen beginning to end. "Heart of Steel", and "The End" are true gems! Owning this album along with 'Listen' and their debut album completes your commitment to this band. Avoid 'Dream Come True'.

The Story of a Young Heart its one of the best album (firts time on CD)of A flock of Seagulls. Great songs and great hybrid synth-guitar group. One of the best new wave groups forever!!!!!!!!!!! Buy it now!

I knew only two songs of this CD :"the more you live the more you love" a song that is in the soundtrack of a film, a comedy of the eighties, and "story of a young heart" (heard from the radio) and I bought the CD because of this song. But when I heard the others, I found them equally very very good...I like it very much. Thanks!