release date: Sep. 1981
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,18]
producer: Steven Severin
label: Epic Records - nationality: Scotland, UK
Track highlights: 2. "Love and Kisses" - 4. "Idols" - 8. "Happy Birthday" - 11. "Leave Me Alone"
Studio album debut by Scottish band Altered Images produced by bassist and musical composer of Siouxsie and the Banshees, Steven Severin (only track #8 is produced by Martin Rushent). At this early stage of its short-lived life-span the band is a quintet consisting of lead vocalist Clare Grogan, guitarist Tony McDaid, bassist Johnny McElhone (who would later join the Scottish band, Texas), and drummer Michael 'Tich' Anderson. Allegedly, the band had sent a demo tape to Siouxsie and the Banshees who responded by giving the band the chance by supporting its "Kaleidoscope" tour in 1980.
Altered Images plays new wave and post-punk with a clear positive touch - at times referred to as twee pop and with early jangle pop elements. Musically, the album contains only one great song, track #8, released one month earlier, which launched the band's career and secured it a singles chart peak at number #2 in the UK. The debut album made it to number number #26 on the albums chart list and the band was among the most promising new acts coming out of Britain.
Like many others, I was attracted to the band due to the title track but I was also left disappointed as the other songs on the album are shaped as more direct post-punk compositions. My guess is that the Banshees and Severin was more confident with the band's new wave and post-punk qualities, and that the successful single hit with Rushent as producer drew the band toward another and potentially more mainstream sound and audience.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Uncut 4 / 5, Smash Hits, Q Magazine 3 / 5 stars ]
