release date: Dec. 2, 1985
format: vinyl (LONLP 16) / cd (1986 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Robin Millar
label: London Records / I.R.S. Records - nationality: England, UK
Track highlights: 1. "Johnny Come Home" - 2. "Couldn't Care More" - 4. "Funny How Love Is" (4 / 5) - 5. "Suspicious Minds" (4 / 5) - 6. "Blue" (4 / 5) - 7. "Move to Work" - 8. "On a Promise" - 9. "Time Isn't Kind" - 10. "Like a Stranger" - *11. "Johnny Come Home (Extended Mix)" - *12. "Suspicious Minds (Suspicious Mix)"
*Bonus tracks on '86 cd reissue.
Studio debut album by Fine Young Cannibals [ name origin ] consisting of vocalist Roland Gift (formerly vocalist & saxophonist in ska revival band Akrylykz) and the two ex-members of (ska revival band) The Beat, guitarist Andy Cox and bassist David Steele.
For the recordings Martin Perry plays drums and Saxa (aka Lionel Augustus Martin - also ex-member of The Beat) plays saxophone on track #4 and Graeme Hamilton as additional musician plays piano and trumpet on tracks #1 and #9. All compositions are credited Gift, Cox and Steele except track #5, a cover of a song originally written and recorded by Mark James (1968) (made famous in '69 by one E. Presley).
Lots of bands played pop soul at this time but I guess no one did it with this finesse. FYC really was a blow of fresh air and an example of great musicianship. Listening to the album today, I only wonder why I didn't like it more at the time. Back then, I thought it was merely Okay but nothing really great. Roland Gift has such a unique and brilliant voice, and the album is loaded with stunning tracks.
Recommended.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Sounds 4,5 / 5 stars ]
