Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 18 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
smooth classic 80s soul from the UK!, July 29, 2003
Perfect Way, with it's killer piano break, broke Scritti politti in the US. However long before that the band was releasing a series of brilliant singles, which end up collected in a nice neat package that is Cupid and Psyche.
-Wood Beez- catchy, funky, as good as anything Alexander O'Neil was doing, if not better.
- The Word Girl - reggae lite in a time where reggae was considered DOA.
- Hypnotize - the lesser of the singles, but still a great little song.
-Absolute - better than Hyponotize, smooth.The great thing is that you also get some nifty remixes, including some like The Word Girl that are almost different songs, but still obviously from the same group of folks. Green and company explore mid 80s US Black music with a keen ear and even sharper sense of style and wit. Essential 80s album.
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9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Just Shy of Perfect, August 31, 2005
Mainly because the bulk of this album was programmed with the Fairlight Computer and there are very few "live" instruments, some of these tracks have a slightly dated Eighties sound to them. Having said that, the songwriting overcomes that completely. Especially the lyrics. Thankfully the lyric sheet is inside the cd; it elevates these songs to a much higher level. Written off as "one hit wonders" in the US, Scritti Politti had humble beginings in Leeds, a small town in the UK, where they wrote minimalist tunes with rather bitter and cynical lyrics. A few years later, singer/leader/lyricist Green Gartside abandoned his original bandmates and took Scritti Politti to a much more pop/soul place musically, as well as taking on a more soulful approach to his singing, while managing to maintain much of the bite of his lyrics. A few of the songs that ended up on Cupid and Psyche 85 were released as singles and were big hits in the UK. They ended up on this album, along with a few remixes that were on the cassette. Hypnotize barely dented the US singles charts, but it was Perfect Way that was a hit, on radio and MTV. One of the very few albums I have purchased in all three formats ( LP, Cassette, and now on CD ) this I think is Scritti Politti's best album. The cover is absolutely stunning. (I still have my vinyl copy, embossed raised gold lettering and all.) The rear photo of the piece of raw meat wrapped in gauze with a butterfly sitting on top is a telling metaphor for the music and lyrics inside. The music ranges from reggae to dance to pop to soul. There is one beautiful ballad, A Little Knowledge, which is a duet between Green and the amazing BJ Nelson. Robert Quine, of all people, turns up on one track with a crazy guitar solo which, on the surface, would seem totally out of place. But it works. Just like the perfect balance of computerized sounds against the live drumming and gorgeous vocals. One of the best pop albums in my collection and just shy of absolute perfection. Highly recommended.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of the Most Underrated Bands Ever!, August 11, 2005
I had been a huge fan of Scritti Politi's ever since they made their way onto the U.S pop music scene back in 1985. I first bought this album on cassette when it was released. I later bought it on vinyl. I've yet to own it on CD (which I plan to purchase soon).
For anyone that has not listened to this album, you are in for a treat. Green Gartside is truly a musical/lyrical genius. His usage of big words and his references to philosophy and psychology will leave you deciphering many of the lyrics, but in my opinion, he's written some of the best love songs ever made. Whether slow, or a danceable tune, this songs are the stuff love songs are made of.
You have to appreciate the quality of this album. The group used the best and most sought-after session musicians of the time. As mentioned by another reviewer, the backup singers are top-notch and were the highest-paid and most-used New York session singers of that era. B.J. Nelson and Tawatha Agee who are found on this album (and Provision) can also be found on the best Albums of Duran Duran and Bryan Ferry during the 80's (B.J. Nelson and Tawatha Agee were the two backup singers on Duran Duran's Arena tour. Drummer Steve Ferrone also became the new drummer for Duran Duran some time after Roger Taylor left the band).
Green's voice, his lyrics (and his beautiful blue eyes) make you fall in love with him and his songs. His songs make you reflect on the pain of love lost, they make you want to fall in love, they make you want to hold on to the love you've got, they make you want to make love. ;-) When you listen these songs, you can feel the emotion behind the words.
I love the whole album, but my favorite songs are:
Perfect Way (A great song about compromising for the one you love even when they don't deserve it.)
Hypnotize
Absolute (Sounds to me like he was drinking away his love pains. Although it's a great dance tune, it's also a touching love song and the 12" remix of this song is great.)
Lover to Fall
Wood Beez
Just get the CD and give it a listen. It's well worth the money spent. I just wished the group received more credit than it did. They were truly one of the best.
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