How does it compare to the artist's other releases
Outstanding
Value for Money
Advantages:
Great pop tracks, pure fun
Disadvantages:
They only went and split up
Recommend to potential buyers:
yes
Full review
The wonderstuff formed in the mid-eighties, and were one of the biggest influences to my music listening there has ever been. Their mix of pop, with their outspoken views drew me in and still has me bouncing around whenever I take another listen.
The original line-up included Miles Hunt(Vocals and the most outspoken of the group), Malcolm Treece(Guitars, and backing vocals), Martin Gilks(Drums, seemed the quiet one), and Rob “Bass thing” Jones(Bass).
Although they were well known on the college/university scene from their first material, they never really hit the charts until the release of their third album,”Never Loved Elvis”. This spawned the irresistible pop-moment that is,”The size of a cow”. That had us all bopping, and quickly shot them to fame.
The band took a long time off between that album and the release of the Construction for the modern idiot, but still fitted in time to release the number one single,”Dizzy” with none other than Vic Reeves. By this time the line-up had changed, with Rob Jones leaving and giving way to Paul Clifford on bass and Martin “fiddly” Bell on acoustics/accompaniments.
They then released this album, which was slated by the critics for not being enough like the old stuff. I still believe to this day that this is their finest moment.
Tracks ------
----Change Every Light Bulb----
Guitars, then an odd collaboration by what sounds like a reverend giving his sermon, introduces this track. It then takes off with Miles leading us by the hand into very familiar Wonderstuff territory. The chorus is very catchy and is linked beautifully by the quick verses. A great start!!
----I Wish Them All Dead----
This is an angry song aimed at a cult in America called the MBLA(Man Boy Love Association). As I’m sure you can understand, Miles don’t like ‘em! Great pop track, but the start of the critics complaints was aimed at the band trying to make too much of a point. Great chorus yet again.
“Its time to pick up a knife, or any weapon you like, to see an end to their lives, pick on someone your own size!”
----Cabin Fever----
Drums, and then a piano kick this one in. A song about feeling paranoid when stuck in one place. A fantastic sing-along chorus, and plenty to please elsewhere too. A nice little guitar solo, which doesn’t go over the top, pulls together the two ends of this track.
----Hot Love Now----
The third single from this album, and still one of my favourite tracks. When I first heard this, it gave me goosebumps. A song about the good feeling you get from being in love. A brilliant piece of pop that I still love to this day.
----Full Of Life(Happy Now)----
The second single is a warm, feel-good summer-sounding track that was slightly slower in tempo, but lost nothing for it. The surprising thing is that Miles is actually singing about somebody who feels they can only be happy when absolutely sloshed. Real sing-along material this.
----Storm Drain----
Possibly the only filler on the album, this song is fairly slow and un-impressive. Having said that, I would never skip this track as it tends to break the album into two halves.
----On The Ropes-----
This was the first release from this album, and was considered a return to form by the boys. It is a belter of a pop song, beginning with fiddly bits and bass and guitar. A slow sung verse from Miles leads into a stormer of a chorus, when the band really show what they can achieve. A song about admitting to your failings.
----Your Big Assed Mother----
Great title eh? Girlfriend trouble isn’t limited to all of us non-pop stars. A slow tempo track where Miles croons about his problems. Raises its head for a more rockin’ chorus, which yet again will have you singing along.
“It’s not for me or your big assed mother, to set you straight or tell you what to say.”
----Swell----
Another “life is good” track written by Miles when he was drunk, about finding the best from all situations. Up-tempo, and feel-good, again with that all-important sing-along factor that we love so much!!
“In love with everything, it’s knowing quite where to begin, and I don’t think things look that grim, ‘cos we never had it so good.”
----A Great Drinker----
This is quite easily my favourite track on the album. It’s starts off quite bluesy, with Miles growling his lyrics at you as though you are sat next to him at a bar as he tells you his life story. Obviously, he sounds half-cut. The song kicks into a furious chorus about people wanting to know too much about his private life. With trumpets reverberating throughout this track, it really does have everything(even Miles drunken whistling!!).
----Hush----
A song about how easily things that are said get passed on, and changed, like Chinese whispers. Brilliant chorus linked with excellent verses. This song gives you the impression that Miles learnt not to say too much to people you think you can trust, as they will very likely turn it around on you and drop you completely in it.
“Well who’s got the gain, and what will remain, when there is a hush that I contain”
----Sing The Absurd----
A sublime final proper track. This finishes the whole thing off very nicely indeed. Slow tempo track with Miles telling us that he has learnt from his mistakes, and has grown-up. Again, this was what a lot of the critics used to put down this album, saying that the wonderstuff have gotten old. A fine track that really shows that they could pull off so many different styles.
“And guess who just threw up, when we learned that he grew up, yeah yeah, guess what I learned, when my fingers got burnt, that we’d all….sing the absurd.”
----Bonus Track----
Beautifully laid back piece of instrumental, laced with guitars and fiddles leads into one sentence from Miles. “Well there’s better necks to break, and better cars to crash”, which was in reference to the former band-mate Rob Jones who died whilst they were recording this album.
Overall -------
Not long after this album had been available, the band decided to call it a day. Although they don’t admit it, the disappointing reviews that were received for this outing must have had some effect on their decision.
Miles formed another band called Vent, but they were considered poor. He has since been releasing solo material, and has been touring recently with ex-members of the band.
Various compilations, re-issues and live recordings have been released after this album, and all are worthwhile purchasing.
There decision to quit was marked by their last ever gig, at the Pheonix Festival in 1994. Miles’s parting shot to the audience….,”Ever get the feeling you’ve been treated”
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How does it rate alongside the competition
Outstanding
Cover / Inlay Design and Content
Good
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