Pelican West...Plus [EXTRA TRACKS] [IMPORT]

Haircut 100

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 29, 1998)
• Original Release Date: 1992
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Extra tracks, Import
• Label: Bmg Int'l
• ASIN: B000005S1S
• Also Available in: Audio CD
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (19 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #152,205 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
There was a time in the early '80s when cutting-edge English bands, many of them high on the multicultural pop innovations of Kid Creole & the Coconuts, began getting down with horn sections and tropically tinged rhythms. It was all very short-lived, but, for a moment at least, bands like Haircut 100 seemed like they might win out over the more pandering likes of Duran Duran. Led by gifted singer-songwriter Nick Heyward, Haircut 100 sweated up their cardigans on this, their first album of pop pleasantries and extremely blue-eyed soul. The horns are cracking, and such tracks as "Fantastic Day," "Baked Bean," "Favorite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)," and the stretched-out "Nobody's Fool" are all great fun. File under guilty pleasures from a more innocent time. --Bill Forman

Product Description
1992 release on Arista, a reissue of the Nick Heyward's new wave band's hit 1981 debut album with five bonus tracks:12inversions of 'Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)' & 'Nobody's Fool', and the B-sides 'Boat Party', 'Ski Club' & 'October Is Orange (Day 1 & 2)'. 17 tracks total, also including the original versions of the hits 'Love Plus One' & 'Favourite Shirts'. 'Pelican West' was first released on Arista, as well.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Have played it over and over., December 5, 1999

By A Customer

I have a shelf on my cd rack and it's called the CDs that I can play year after year and never get sick of them. There are 3 on that shelf: ABC- Lexicon of Love, Japan Tin Drum, and yes HAIRCUT 100 Pelican West. This is the best whistling record ever recorded. Each track is masterfully crafted with a killer horn section, but better yet, an amazing guitar riff throughout the entire album, a guitar riff that is fast and crisp and fun. Listen to "Lemon firebrigade" and "Calling Captain Autumn."

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great music from the "What Were They Thinking?" files, January 9, 2004

By	Andy Orrock (Dallas, TX) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

In 1981, the Nick Heyward-led Haircut 100 put out "Pelican West." I bought it in album format and absolutely wore out the grooves on it. You'll hear this story from almost everyone who bought the album. It's probably *the* most listenable collection of songs I have ever owned. 22 years later, I can remember every track like an old friend.

You can see I'm not alone: the fact that this CD (from a relatively obscure band, let's face it) is still around and kicking - with bonus tracks no less - is a testament to just how popular this album became. If you've never heard of it and are curious, trust me: buy it. You won't be disappointed.

Of course, all good things must come to an end, but in this case, it was far too abrupt. Heyward must of gotten a little too full of himself...he shut down Haircut 100 not long after the release to focus on a solo career. That individual shot at stardom reached some modest success in the UK, but here in the States...Nick who? A shame he pulled the plug on Haircut 100 too soon.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars H.C. 100 Still Hip after 20 years !..., February 27, 2001

By	Armando M. Mesa (Chandler, AZ) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Like every other die-hard 80's pop music fan I too searched for this obsolete title by the British group that could jam using a fusion of pop,r&b,funk,and Brazilian/Latin rhythms.So glad I got it now. Pelican West was not a shallow attempt or H.C. 100 a generic musical kitsch act with an infatuation for the Motown sound or Latin/global rhythms. They displayed that even the European Brits had and still have soul.They proved that a style of music or musical genre has no racial boundaries and warrants no artistic hindrances or reservations. There was no attempt;only succession ! H.C. 100 was comparable to ABC.However, where Martin Fry from ABC would do Motown acrobatic vocal feats, lead-singer Nick Heyward sounds,well, British but effective...

From the opening and frenetically brass charged Favourite Shirts and melodious Love Plus One, Marine Boy, Kingsize, and Love's Got Me In Triangles all deserve honorable mention as well. The five bonus tracks include a 7 minute plus extended version with more drums, guitar,bass, brass and beats (not re-mix, acapella, midnight mix, rap mix, but a normal extended version). The only questionable anomaly is the monaural (non-stereo) track October Is Orange;there is absolutely no stereo separation or imaging,yet the track is awesome with the rest of the c.d. !...H.C. 100 was a prime example of the "semi-innocence" of the early 80's with the new romantic musical movement when it was about fun, partying, dancing, and clubbing (as in dancing not beating)...