SPAZ reviews HELEN LOVE's Day-Glo Dreams!

HELEN LOVE

DAY-GLO DREAMS

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OK, let's be honest here: I'm not going to pretend that I know everything that there is to know about Helen Love.  I've always been an admirer from a distance.  I've picked up their CDs over the years and I've listened to them quite a bit. I'm most certainly a fan, but I've managed to remain happily ignorant to WHO they are, what kinds of cars they drive, what their favorite TV shows are, etc.  Here is what I do know:

1. Helen Love is a band AND a person (but I will refer to them as a band)

2. They are Welsh

3. They adore Joey Ramone, Debbie Harry and quite a few other original Pop icons

2. They love all sorts of pop culture but especially music

1. They make great Pop records

Roughly 20 years ago, they released their debut single, "Formula One Racing Girls", a slab of lo-fi Twee pop that was blessed with more imagination than musical chops, but it was obvious they were destined for bigger things... especially with their blend of 8-bit video game samples, Punk guitar and Girl Pop melody.  Over the next two decades, they've perfected that formula while losing members, gaining members, turning up the guitars, adding Techno to the mix, turning down the guitars, etc.  As they've moved towards an Electronic-based sound, their songwriting style hasn't changed.  They are still very much influenced by The Ramones, Blondie, Glam Rock, Bubblegum Pop, Girl Pop and whatever else suits their fancy.  It's really kind of interesting just how many different things they've added and subtracted to the mix and yet they remain uniquely Helen Love.

When Elefant Records released the excellent It's My Party And I'll Play What I Want To album back in 2007, it was a groovy platter that referenced everything from the 1910 Fruitgum Company to the Macca & Wings single "Jet" to Rodney Bingenheimer's legendary nightclub Rodney's English Disco. Their lyrical focus was still firmly in the past, but their music kept moving forward. the songs had more depth, more shadows and more light. To some, it may have seemed as if they were playing the same old song over and over, but if that was the case, it was a pretty damn great song!

Now, six years later, Helen Love return with an album that continues their forward trajectory without sacrificing a bit of who they were.  In fact, if you couldn't tell by the album's title, Day-Glo Dreams, the band has finally embraced the '80s and added a lot of great references to that era in their lyrics. "Spin Those Records" namechecks Michael Jackson and Culture Club in the bridge and middle eight and chorus! However, they certainly haven't turned their backs on their roots. "Atomic" may or may not be titled after the Blondie song (it probably is). "We Are The Lo-Fi Kids" references their Indie beginnings, but they sound much bigger and bolder than their initial run of singles.  More electronic than guitar oriented, Helen Love are a Pop band right down to the core.  There are so many hooks on Day-Glo Dreams that it should be sold in a Bait & Tackle shop in every beach town up and down the coast! 

Helen Love may not change the world, but they probably don't want to.  Their simple yet catchy pop tunes might possibly change YOUR world.  This is an album that will enchant Indie Pop fans as well as Electropop and '80s fans.  Helen Love are definitely charming and their tunes are quite delicious. Beloved by those that have fallen under their spell, Day-Glo Dreams will hopefully rope in a new generation of fans and maybe encourage the band to come out with something a little quicker next time around!  Until then, this is pure audio bubblegum that will keep us Pop geeks quite happy for the next 100 spins or so!

Peace, love and Pop
Stephen SPAZ Schnee

We're with BOY GEORGE: MARILYN and HELEN TERRY reissues!

From 1982 to 1985, it was a great time to be friends with CULTURE CLUB vocalist BOY GEORGE. During those few short years, anyone seen within a few feet of George would have their faces plastered all over the tabloids and they, in turn, would become tabloid fodder!

By 1986, though, Boy George's long slide to bargain basement embarrassment began and, apart from a brief reunion with Culture Club in the '90s, he has essentially become the butt of '80s jokes alongside Mike 'A Flock Of Seagulls' Score's ridiculous hairstyle. 

But, in the early to mid '80s, he was a glorious pop star with a fantastic voice, a cheeky personality and loads of charisma. That magic also rubbed off on those around him including his clubbing mate MARILYN (he of long flowing blond locks) and HELEN TERRY (she of the soulful voice on Culture Club hits like "Church Of The Poison Mind"). Both Marilyn and Helen had shortlived (but memorable) recording careers, which have recently been reissued by Cherry Red subsidiary, Cherry Pop!

MARILYN/Despite Straight Lines

(The Very Best Of)

While Marilyn was not initially known for his singing/songwriting talents, he was (supposedly) marvelous to look at.  As a clubber at the Blitz Club during the New Romantic movement, he attracted as much attention as (Boy) George O'Dowd did. When he was linked with George during Culture Club's heyday, the labels came calling.

His debut single, "Calling Your Name", was an instant hit.  It's catchy melody and Soul-inspired beat was similar to Culture Club's "Church Of The Poisoned Mind" and other tracks from their Colour By Numbers album.  While his other singles didn't fare as well, Marilyn kept on releasing wonderful little Pop/Soul nuggets that would eventually lead up to his sole album, Despite Straight Lines.

By the time the album reached the shelves, Marilyn had cut his blonde locks and changed his image, but the music was still infectious and hard to resist.  While nothing here may have reached the spectacular heights of CC's "Karma Chameleon", it's admittedly not even fair to compare the two acts.

Despite Straight Lines is filled with great Pop music that stands up well on it's own.  Apart from "Calling Your Name", the album includes many tracks that stand up well even 25 years after their release. "Mountains To The Ocean", "Surrender To Your Love", "Cry To Be Free", "You Don't Love Me" and "Baby U Left Me (Out In The Cold)" are just a few of the standouts. And with some prime bonus remixes and non-album tracks, this is a must of CC/Boy George fans as well as those of you who dig catchy '80s pop.

(NOTE: The album has been subtitled The Very Best Of.. because of the exclusion of one track from the original album at Marilyn's request. Bummer for us, but at least we have the rest of the album to enjoy on CD!)

HELEN TERRY/Blue Notes (Special Edition)

While the name Helen Terry may not jump out at you, her voice most definitely will.  It is her wailing, soulful voice that makes Culture Club's "Church Of The Poison Mind" really leap out at you.  Yes, she was a 'backing vocalist' for CC during the most popular time of their career, but her performances were so spectacular that she was often referred to as 'the unofficial fifth member' of the band!

While she started her solo career in 1984 with the hit single "Love Lies Lost", her debut album, Blue Notes, didn't hit the shelves until 1986. By that time, Culture Club were already in the midst of their fall from grace and the public's insatiable interest in anything Boy George was long gone. Which was a shame because Helen had managed to cut an album that could have had a lot of potential (especially for those who were following the musical careers of acts like Sade, Deacon Blue, Carmel and other acts that combined Pop with Jazz-influenced overtones).

Those expecting Helen to showcase her wailing, soulful vocals over danceable Motown-ish beats were disappointed for the most part, although she does occasionally cut loose on Blue Notes. Most of the album is dedicated to finely produced Gospel/Jazz influenced mid-tempo tracks and ballads.  While this certainly isn't what her early singles hinted at, it's still a treat to hear Helen up front and center. Tracks like "The River", "Come On And Find Me" and the glorious "Close Watch" are standouts on an album that surprises with each and every listen.

Bonus tracks include remixes, early non-album singles (including "Love Lies Lost" and her Giorgio Moroder collaboration, "Now You're Mine" from the soundtrack to Electric Dreams) and more.  Another fine Cherry Pop release that will please those with fine musical tastes!

You're welcome!
Stephen SPAZ Schnee