release date: Jul. 19, 1994
format: cd (1995 reissue)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,26]
producer: EBTG (co-produced by John Coxon - 3 tracks)
label: Bianco y Negro - nationality: England, UK
Tracklist: 1. "Rollercoaster" (4 / 5) - 2. "Troubled Mind" (4 / 5) - 3. "I Don't Understand Anything" - 4. "Walking to You" (4,5 / 5) - 5. "Get Me" (5 / 5) - 6. "Missing" (5 / 5) - 7. "Two Star" - 8. "We Walk the Same Line" (4 / 5) - 9. "25th December" - 10. "Disenchanted" (4 / 5) - *11. "Missing (Todd Terry club mix)" (5 / 5) (live on Later)
*bonus track on reissue
8th studio album by Everything but the Girl. This is primarily sophisti-pop and jangle pop. This is a rather typical album by EBTG, although, the songs and compositions are really top-notch from start to finish. As additional personnel the album feature several praised musicians, e.g. Danny Thompson (of The Pentangle) on bass, Dave Mattacks (of Fairport Convention) on drums, Kate St. John (of The Dream Academy) on backing vocals (track #7), Richard Thompson on lead guitar (track #9) and Peter King (studio musician) on sax (track #10).
I think, I bought the album right after hearing the Todd Terry Remix of "Missing" and just wanted that album. The rest of the songs are not in the same electronic style but I never felt that as a disappointment because of its stylistic bonds to my favourite release by the couple, Love Not Money (1985). The songs are great but another fine thing is how Ben and Tracey both share lead vocals on specific songs, although, I really prefer Tracey's vocal, Ben does more than well.
It has taken two years in the making, but it really is a big improvement and clearly their best album in almost a decade. I regard the album as one of the duo's three best albums ever.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5 stars ]
1994 Favourite releases: 1. The Prodigy Music for the Jilted Generation - 2. Everything but the Girl Amplified Heart - 3. C.V. Jørgensen Sjælland
