Customer Reviews

I Touch Roses: The Best Of Book Of Love

5 star:		(15)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Let me preface my review by saying that I think that the first three Book Of Love albums are fantastic. I saw them live in '86 and went to a "Candy Carol" album release party, so you could say that I have been a long-time fan. Having said that...I picked this album up as soon as I saw it, but I am more than a bit disappointed with it. The new tracks are not particularly interesting (where are all the chimes and bells?), the remixes of "Hunny Hunny" and "Sunny Day" are no improvement on the original versions, and the dance remix of "Boy" is a total waste of a track. Instead of these (and "Chatterbox"), they should have included "Witchcraft", "Turn The World", "Sunday AM", or "Book Of Love" (to pick one from each album). One track that should have definitely made the cut is the amazing 1991 version of "With A Little Love".
The rest of "I Touch Roses" is excellent (I agree that the separation of "Tubular Bells" and "Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls" was a great idea) but, as a whole, this is not one of the better "Best Of" albums out there.

This is my first exposure to Book of Love. I must say I absolutely adore this group. I love that new wave sound from the '80s so I knew somewhat I was getting into when I bought this cd. As I am listening to this cd, I am reminded of Dead or Alive, Yaz, Erasure, the Pet Shop Boys, Human League and Information Society. All those great synth-pop bands. "I Touch Roses" is filled with infectious, contagious, catchy synth-pop songs that any '80s music fan would love. I can't really pick a favorite track off this cd because I love all the songs on this cd. One of my favorites is "Lullaby". The cover of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells" is heavenly to listen to, very techno. "Boy" just screams out the Pet Shop Boys. Fantastic pop album with a retro sound. It can't get any better than this.

Book of Love is one of my favorite bands of the late 80's/early 90's!!!! I was SOOOO HAPPY to find out that they've re-grouped and recorded new material! HOWEVER, I was slightly disappointed in this "Best of..." collection, only because of the track selection. Sunny Day 2001??? There was NOTHING wrong with the original version. In fact, it's BETTER than the one here. And WHERE is Witchcraft and Boy Pop? They should have strung Tubular Bells and Pretty Boys & Pretty Girls together like they are on the Lullaby instead of separating them, left off Chatterbox Pt. 2 off in favor of Sunday A.M. All in all, the new tracks make up for the lack of the above and I would DEFINITELY recommend this CD to anyone who wants to hear "Happy Music".

Well here it is... the long awaited compilation from Book Of Love! This compilation contains enough sugar coated songs to give you a cavity, but don't worry! Book Of Love is good for you!! Such classic 80's gems such as "I Touch Roses" (which is just criminal that it wasn't a huge smash hit!), "Pretty Boys And Pretty Girls", and "Boy" are included here, a long with new tracks "Getting Faster" and "Try"; a new version of "Sunny Day"; and the first song that Book Of Love ever wrote (but never released) "It's In Your Eyes." Not a stinker in the bunch- THIS is the most perfect pop album. Put it on and you will light up the room! "Chatterbox Part 2" may very well be one of the most bizarre songs ever recorded- it happens to be the jam! The only things missing here are their classic hits "Boy Pop" and "Witchcraft"- I'm not sure why those were left off. Do yourself and buy this album immediately! You will not be sorry!

What people forget to understand is how ultracool and subversive it was to lay down a synth track and fairlight beat. There was nothing light or frivolous about this music at all, even if you were singing about the girl/boy next door.

I guess it's a generational thing. I myself still forget that doo-wop music once had street cred.

How can you possibly have a Best of Book of Love collection without "Witchcraft"?

This CD collects all the wonderful songs that put a smile in our faces. "I touch roses","boy", "Pretty boys and pretty girls" and the list goes on and on..........This CD makes you want to get up and dance from the start to finish. If you are a new-wave and synth-pop fan, this is your CD. JUST FANTASTIC

To start, I am disappointed that Yellow Sky is missing (from the first album). It wasn't a "single", but it was a good song nonetheless. There are a few other minor complaints. I never really did like the radio version of Hunny Hunny, which is more guitar-laden than the album track. It sounds as if it were deliberately retooled to get airplay on the radio when it came out as a single in the early 90's, at the height of the alternative musicdom. And I never really did care for Sunny Day, even if it was the only song Ted sang for Book of Love.

A final commment- It's in Your Eyes is dreadful! It has that "garage band" sound to it.

I am very happy that Lullaby got included. It is a touching song; the antithesis of Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls, which is awesome, by the way. As for the new additions, Getting Faster is a good song.

To conclude, here's some songs I think should have made it in the compilation: Yellow Sky, Sound and Vision, Boy Pop (an ACTUAL single, that got ignored), and Orange and Lemons.

All things considered, this is definitely worth buying if you have any interest at all in Book of Love

Halalooya! Book of Love is back after all these lonely years!This long-awaited disc displays the band's catchy tunes from yesteryear and sprinkles in a few surprises which make it an essential addition to your collection. Great sounds, rhythms and melodies which remain virtually resistant to the passage of time. It starts off with the brilliant "I Touch Roses" complete with its Casio CZ-101 bass line and colorful bell chimes. Also featured are mixes of "Modigliani", "Hunny Hunny", and "You Make Me Feel So Good", which retain the original format, yet bring in elements from the maxi singles (and/or remixes) which strengthen the tunes and give them a breath of fresh air. The added guitar really fills out "Hunny Hunny" and gives the 2001 "Sunny Day" a new feeling. The Peter Rauhofer Remix of "Boy" transports my mind into the setting of an ECSTATIC Sweaty Saturday night at the Roxy. The new tunes display the still evident beauty of BOL and give hope that this band will continue to make music and tour in the future. I am somewhat disappointed with the fact that "Witchcraft", "Yellow Sky", "Lost Souls", and "Flower in my Hand" were not included. They would have earned this CD 5 1/2 stars. I once sent a letter, paper rose, and a tape to Ted Ottaviano, hoping to become acquainted with the musical genius that he is, but I never got a response. This cd will be a sufficient reply. xoxo Todd

I wonder if Book Of Love consider themselves as relevant today as I do? To go out to a club and hear BOY still playing is just marvelous. I grew up with BOL, and I am glad to know that they are still working together. The new CD is great - TRY is a truly beautiful song. Their first two CD's are great. Candy Carol, outside of Sunny Day and Counting the Rosaries could use a little work... LoveBubble marked the return to greatness for them with Enchanted and Flower In My Hand and Leap Of Faith. Book of Love are excellent, one of a kind. Need to make sure they keep the "sing-songy" stuff to a minimum though....:)