243) Psychedelic Furs - Psychedelic Furs

Review 114 already established I had never heard of the Psychedelic Furs until Pretty in Pink appeared in the John Hughes film of the same name so I clearly would have had no idea of this record when it was released back in 1980 three years after brothers Richard (lead vocals and lyrics) and Tim Butler (bass) formed the band in London.

Although post punk the band have Duncan Kilburn in the band and his sax can be heard throughout the tracks adding an extra edge to their post punk sound and Richard Butler is not what you would call a classic singer but his sandpaper, forty a day voice suits these tunes perfectly.

India opens the album and we are two minutes in before drums and guitar arrive and then Butler joins in, the drums are solid and the melody has something that slowly worms its way in, on first listen I was not so sure but it’s a grower then we go into the glory that is Sister Europe where we can see what Kilburn brings to the band, it never changes pace but is haunting.

Imitation of Christ is a noise with a nice shimmer of guitar half-way through but could maybe have edited down by a minute or so but they show they know how to deliver with Fall, Pulse and We Love You that all storm along and the things Butler lists on We Love You are funny and bizarre.

The drums to Wedding Song start and you think someone has changed the record and put an early rap album with the drums sounding like an early sample but then Butler comes in as the sax weaves in an out but wait, halfway through he raps and don’t shudder, he can do it, certainly not what I’d expect from the Psychedelic Furs.

The album ends with Flowers which quite simply is a tune. It canters along and deliberately falls apart at the end.

Still going strong, form is temporary, class is permanent.

8/10

GIVE IT A STREAM: We Love You