I was quite impressed when I heard Pretty in Pink by Psychedelic Furs. Catchy, strange singing and plenty of guitar hooks. Imagine being a new band and getting a very decent song into a John Hughes film. I probably said I would buy their debut album Midnight to Midnight when released. Remember I have warned you before I was an idiot. Someone, no doubt rolling their eyes, informed me it was their fifth and Pretty had appeared back on their second album.
This is that second album and is a band at the top of their game. Dumb Waiters opens and to these ears is just one of the best opening songs I have heard in a long time with guitar and saxophone going wild over Richard Butler’s gravel like voice. I Wanna Sleep With You is harsh and to the point.
Mr Jones, Into You Like a Train and It Goes On just smack you around the face, relentless, special mention for the rhythm section on It Goes On.
No Tears works because of Butler’s voice and So Run Down sound as if the band are running down the stairs with the frenetic pace.
All of This and Nothing builds slowly for the first minute then fades out before the band come in and the chorus is almost anthem like, over six minutes long and worth every minute.
She is Mine ends the album in a reflective mode.
Psychedelic Furs seem to have been a bit forgotten, they deserve so much more.
8/10
GIVE IT A STREAM: Dumb Waiters