598. Introducing the Hardline - Terence Trent D'Arby

I remembered the name. I even remembered a song or two when I looked at the track list. I didn't remember much else, or even whether I liked the songs or not, which was not a very positive sign. 

To describe the album as a bit lightweight is almost certainly not a controversial statement. Whilst dealing with a variety of issues, the majority of these are romantic love. Whilst not a feathery topic in itself, a pre-nu-soul take on this is almost certainly going to end with an element of style over substance. Rain tries to add an element of gutsy edge to proceedings, and in doing so only draws more intention to the paper thin and sanitised nature of the rest of the album.

The album is slick as anything, with excellent production values, and an almost obsessive level of detail to the tones and textures used. The drumming on Wishing Well, for example, sounds like each drum has been recorded separately, to reduce any spill between them. The guitar on I'll Never Turn My Back On You is sharp as anything, and Sign Your Name is the sonic embodiment of dry ice and synths to an almost Careless Whisper-esque level. There are plenty of synths (guess the decade it was released in!), and in some ways it isn't a surprise that it spent nine weeks at the top of the UK album charts. 

When it's good, this album is very good, with smooth, catchy choruses that showcase D'Arby's impressive vocal talents. There is a bit too much autopilot here though, with songs that are scarcely memorable. I can completely see why it did so well, and there isn't much to dislike about the album per se. There are some excellent pop songs, and the vocals and musical detail in the backing band are clearly impressive, it just doesn't really move me. 

Chloe's album rating: 5
Chloe's favourite track: 2. If You Let Me Stay
Olly's album rating: 5
Olly's favourite track: 9. Sign Your Name 

Next week is 725. Selected Ambient Works 85-92 by Aphex Twin.