Released in 1993, this album came out around the same time as Neil Tennant did. This public discussion of his homosexuality plays a key role in much of the lyrical content of the album. Discussions of changing teams and dying lovers are none too subtle, but seem to make a valid point - why should they have to be? Being only 8 when this album was released, its hard to recall/imagine what Britain was like for openly gay men at the time. This album suggests that, whilst things were getting better, society was a long way from true acceptance.
Unsubtle could well be the subtitle of this album. The music is utterly relentless, from cutting electronica to swirling orchestrations, with the songs seeming to never stop to take a breath. There is a variety to the songs that make the album enjoyable from the outset, but also offer much more following repeated listens. Songs such as Dreaming of the Queen deal with the challenging subject matter of HIV deaths rife in the gay community in the late 80s and early 90s. Young Offender offers the immortal line "How graceful your movements, how bitter your scorn; I've been a teenager since before you were born" which summarises clinging to youth about as well as is possible. The Theatre is the stand out for me, with its big, bold strings, and venomous lyrical delivery.
I did not expect to love this album half as much as I did. It is exciting and intense, yet with a real depth to it. If you've never heard it before, I recommend that you give it a listen.
Alternatively, you could may hear it and agree with Chloe that it is a decent album, but nothing special, thus making me wrong once again. Hmm...
Chloe's rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 4. A Different Point of View
Olly's rating: 9
Olly's favourite track: 7. The Theatre
Next week's album is number 96 on the list; Something Else by The Kinks, by The Kinks. Slightly less electronic, I would imagine.
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