Well-meaning, if slickly produced agit-pop that hasn't aged too well, mostly from the over-topicality of the lyrics, circa 1986. This British band's concerns was the rise of the yuppie ("The New Millionaires"), the yawning divide between rich and poor ("Sea-Port September"), American imperialism ("America for Beginners"), and the African situation ("the U.K. hit "Radio Africa""). Granted, nothing much has changed in the world since then, but what is one to make of lyrics like "You've had their OAS/You've had their CGT/And no-one will be living here/When they bring in the CNC" ("Toulouse"), unless you lived through it. Lead singer Steve Skaith delivers his vocals in a hushed whisper, like he's nervous or tremendously upset, while backup singers Carol Doust and Yona Dunsford bring the soul. The sound is a lighter version of that found on Peter Gabriel's third album -- influences and references pop up quickly, especially the Tony Levin-like bass -- and "No Ordinary Return" sounds suspiciously like Richard Thompson's "You Don't Say." Didactic in spots, soulful in others, it's a brief snapshot of the Left in Britain, mid-'80s. ~ Ted Mills
Professional Reviews
Q (11/02, p.129) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The issues have dated, the tunes haven't..."
