Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Effective collection of UK 80's New Wave group, January 20, 2004
The early 1980's was the period of New Wave, when the punk explosion had imploded. Light-hearted synths and poppier rhythms prevailed on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, famed disk jockey Jim Peel and Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist Steve Severin helped a Glaswegian group Altered Images, fronted by actress Claire Grogan.Their best known song, "Happy Birthday", was the title track of their debut album, and characterizes the infectious cheer of their song, with Grogan's cute-girl voice, a cross between Jane Wiedlin and a less squeaky Dale Bozzio, the bouncy guitar and drums. This peaked at #2 in the UK. "Real Toys" and "Love And Kisses" has shades of a poppier Banshees sound, not surprising as they were produced by Severin. Their debut single, "Dead Pop Stars", was an unsuccessful indie single produced by Severin, and has a harder edged guitar and a more punk sound with some eerie undertones and some wry commentary: "dead pop stars rotting in the studio/pretty bodies make little girls scream" and "I am the poster on your wall." A standout. It's B-side, "Sentimental" sounds like a Missing Persons song with light punk guitars. "I Could Be Happy" signalled a more happier power pop that characterized their Pinky Blue album, which received quite a drubbing among UK critics. "See Those Eyes" was another one of their big hits, with Clare and company sounding more like Missing Persons than a pop-like Banshees. "Funny Funny Me" Their happy power pop style was being eclipsed by the time R.E.M. became the new thing with Chronic Town. "Bring Me Closer" from their last album Bite incorporated 70's disco synths, and saw them bringing in producers Tony Visconti and Mike Chapman, which may be the reason why "Love To Stay" sounded like a Blondie song reject. Another catchy 70's disco-type song, with Bananarama-type harmony backing vocalists, is their last UK Top Ten hit, "Don't Talk To Me About Love." The sax ballad "Thinking About You" really shows their transition to a more conventional sound. Fans of Red Dwarf will be familiar with lead singer Clare Grogan, who as C.P. Grogan starred in the British sci-fi sitcom as Kristine Kochanski. And guitarist Johnny McElhone later joined the groups Hipsway and Texas. Maybe because Altered Images didn't make that big a splash in the US they aren't that well remembered here. Nevertheless, it has to be said that they did create a brief blip in the punk/New Wave era.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Possibly the most underrated band of the 80s., February 21, 2000
I bought this album last July, and seven months later I still listen to it almost daily. Pretty impressive, considering that some discs I bought maybe two months ago are now lying unused. "The Best of Altered Images" is literally an album for every mood. Altered Images's music mixes punk rock, R&B, disco, bubble gum, and other styles in various proportions; similar artists include Blondie, Abba, Madonna, and other 80s new wave artists. For example, "Dead Pop Stars" is more punk-ish, while "Bring Me Closer" is more disco-ish. "See Those Eyes" is catchy and danceable, but with clever lyrics ("her head is full of nonsense but she says her heart is true / I feel for you..." "her aim is not to please / all she wants to do is tease..." "forget those eyes / forget those lies.."). "Real Toys" is not hummable or danceable, but the music is catchy and the lyrics deal with the issue of violent toys. The singer of "Forgotten" sounds downtrodden, but optimistic, and "Love To Stay" is soft and romantic in its own way. Even once you find your favorite songs on the CD, you'll still be listening to the others. I am now searching record stores for Altered Images songs not on this compilation.
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9 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Happy to have found this cd!, February 20, 2002
Wow, I remember listening to Altered Image's albums Happy Birthday, Pinky Blue, & Bite when I was in my teens.......Ah, those were the days. Clair Grogan's voice, child-like & sweet one minute, taunting & menacing the next. this group was so overlooked & underrated, too bad... Anyway buy this cd and relive some sweet memories.
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