Customer Reviews

What Price Paradise

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(0)
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Music has always been magical for me, especially during my ups and downs of being a teen in the 80s. Most of the groups I liked then now seem like novelty acts, but not China Crisis. "What Price Paradise" had so much to offer me then with its beauty and majesty...has so much to still offer. I always thought it was sort of ironic that it was my mom of all people who got me into their "Flaunt the Imperfection" when she had always preferred 60s music and had no use for my generation's...but that's another story:)

Since I had loved "FTI" more than life itself, it seemed only logical to get "What Price Paradise" and to this day I still own it. All of the the tracks are lovely, but the four oh-so-breath-taking-I-can't-believe-I'm-not dreaming are "It's Everything" (gloriously comforting and true with its message of everlasting love), "Arizona Sky" (I can close my eyes and picture the sky worshiped here with sincere vulnerability) "Best Kept Secret" (the idea that love between two people should only be their business and their treasure seems especially fitting in today's climate) and "June Bride" (very cute and flirty and sweet.)

Whenever I hear "Arizona Sky" I always think of the cinnamon buns my mom used to make when I was studying for tests and had China Crisis on in my room. Their music, as intelligent and deeply moving as it is and was, has always been my comfort food...

China Crisis are melody perfectionists. This CD is chock full of memorable, well executed, clockwork songs, with lots of jazz rock influence. I believe Walter Becker of Steely Dan either produced, or was somehow instrumental in releasing this CD. The songs are as tight as any Steely Dan CD (as a previous poster said), and the grooves tight with lots of snappy drum kicks and sax! One of the most musical and classiest alt bands ever!

What Price Paradise is the consumate China Crisis album. There isn't a bad song in the bunch. "The Understudy" is as smooth as any Steely Dan number. The horn arrangements for "June Bride" are exceptional and so catchy, though intricate, that one can't help but hit the repeat button. "It's Everything" is such a listenable track that I am perplexed that it never hit mainstream U.S. radio. Even "Arizona Sky" is should have rocketed to the top of the charts. Obviously other forces may have been less appreciative of the beauty of this work. Simply put: this is an outstanding record. And anyone who likes Steely Dan's "Katy Lied" or "Aja" will find it hard to avaoid comparisons.

WPP is filled with brass and exotic percussions, unlike the Steely Dan-esque 'Flaunt the Imperfection.' Many fans were disappointed and as a result, the album did not sell. However, this is a great album despite the commercial failure.
Stand out tracks include "Arizona Sky," inspired by their tour of the U.S. the year before, "June Bride," a happy-happy melody with strong brass accompaniment coupled with lyrics that are innocent yet ironic ("I'm struggling under the strain of bliss/ happy man, I've got all of this") and "Best Kept Secret," a great pop song that never really caught on.
Unlike their other albums, where some of the songs dragged, there are no clunkers.