I've been neglecting my "Record Collection by Forty" project since I received a bumper order from Amazon.
But here goes!
Deacon Blue are one of the great underestimated groups of the late 80s/early 90s. I'm not suggesting they be acclaimed as great. Although, the benefit of hindsight suggest to me that Raintown was one of the most astonishingly good debut albums ever.
In second year at Uni, I went home for Easter holidays. There was a lot of turmoil and tension going on, so I spent most of the time I wasn't working ensconced in splendid isolation with pop radio. One oft-played track stood out - When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)? I returned to Uni and discovered that my mate Mabel was equally mad on Deacon Blue, and, further more, had the entire album taped off her brother Si d. So we listened enraptured. I later bought my own copy of the album.
It works so well in its entirety as an album, but, in addition, all the songs are at least good, He Looks Like Spencer Tracy Now, Raintown and When Will You (Make My Telephone Ring)? are very good, and Dignity, would stand as excellent simply because of the lyrics. Add the music, and I sincerely believe it to be one of the great songs in the pop-rock cannon.
The other Deacon Blue vinyl (ie cassette) I have is When the World Knows Your Name. I don't believe this to be as strong as Raintown. But consider that it contains tracks such as Love and Regret and Fergus Sings the Blues.
I will blog my Deacon Blue on CD in due course...
Alphabetically, what comes next?
