There Was A Boy I Used To Be. I Guess That He Was Cold. If She Came To Buy Him Now. How Cheaply He'd Be Sold.
One of my favorite concept albums, Prefab Sprout's Jordan: The Comeback is a testament to the genius songwriting skills of singer guitarist Paddy McAloon. Along with producer Thomas Dolby, McAloon and the rest of Prefab Sprout weave together a densely lavish record about girls, religion, and the soul crushing pain of lost loves. Relegated to cult status here in the U.S., J:TC proved to be quite successful in the UK upon it's release. Even though I stood my ground, I got teased mercilessly in high school for liking this record. Funny how some things never change. For your listening (dis)pleasure:
Prefab Sprout: Looking For Atlantis
Prefab Sprout: We Let The Stars Go
Prefab Sprout: Moon Dog
Prefab Sprout: Carnival 2000
posted by Jesse a.k.a. The Vicar @ 8:23 AM
7 Comments:
Terrific post! Love the pic. Their CD "Two Wheels Good" is one of my all-time faves. Also called "Steve McQueen" depending on where you live.
Good call - Jordan's in my all-time Top 10. 1990 representin' strong.
Thanks for this post. Reminds me how much I used to love Paddy and the band. Atlantis ic terrific...I always had the soft spot for Two Wheels Good/Steve McQueen..
Great stuff.
Bruce
"Scarlet Nights" and "Doo Wop in Harlem" together form one of the most perfect endings imaginable.
-Derek-
Great to see some love for the Sprouts -- a sentimental favorite of mine for many years. Along with "Jordan" & "Two Wheels", I do recommend "From Langley Park to Memphis"; a couple songs are nearly terrible ("Nancy"), but several are prime (including "Nightingales", with Stevie Wonder on harmonica).
I haven't heard Paddy McAloon's solo work, but apparently he's made a fascinating album out of a terrifying experience -- there's some info at http://www.bbc.co.uk/music/classicpop/reviews/paddymcaloon_trawl.shtml
Best. Album. Ever. (Almost)
Do check Paddy McAloon's solo piece. It's largely instrumental, but some achingly beautiful stuff.
Love Prefab Sprout. Two Wheels Good is a masterpiece. Believe or not, there's a young Chicago band that really reminds me of them --http://www.the-changes.com/music.html
download "When I Wake"
When it comes to rock's cyclical revisionism, quality will always out ...
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