| The Christians / 1988 Island Records 90852-1
On their first album, the Christians blend socially conscious lyrics of life under Thatcher with smooth, slickly programmed pop-soul arrangements, produced by Laurie Latham who was responsible for the popular Brit-soul sound of Paul Young. The single "Forgotten Town" sets the tone for the album: propulsive verses leading to choruses laden with the Christian brothers' three-part harmony. "Ideal World," as the title suggests, imagines a world without racism and suffering; "Born Again" finds solace from the ills of society in friends and lovers. "Hooverville" compares Thatcher's Britain to the poverty-filled reign of one of America's least successful presidents. A solid debut with very few filler tracks. Beginning as an a cappella trio, the British soul group the Christians originally comprised brothers Garry, Russell and Roger Christian, Liverpool natives who in 1986 were joined by former Yachts and It's Immaterial frontman Henry Priestman. After recording a handful of singles, Roger Christian left the group to mount a solo career; the remaining three members continued on without him, and after a bumpy start scored a minor hit with the 1987 single "Forgotten Town."After a pair of even more successful efforts, "Hooverville" and "Ideal World," the Christians issued their self-titled debut LP in late 1987; the record was a major hit, and soon the group ranked as the U.K.'s most popular soul act. The follow-up was long in the making, with little more than a 1988 cover of the Isley Brothers' "Harvest for the World" to tide fans over. Finally, Colour appeared in early 1990, topping the British charts on the strength of the hits "Words," "I Found Out" and "Greenbank Drive." However, when 1992's harder-edged Happy in Hell failed to repeat its predecessor's success, the Christians turned to solo and collaborative work, effectively disbanding. All Music Guide
Tracks
1 Forgotten Town Priestman 5:07
2 When the Fingers Point Priestman 3:31
3 Born Again Priestman 5:19
4 Ideal World Herman, Priestman 3:59
5 Save a Soul in Every Town Priestman 4:36
6 ...And That's Why Priestman 5:19
7 Hooverville Herman, Priestman 4:48
8 One in a Million Priestman 4:43
9 Sad Songs Herman, Priestman 4:26
Cover: VG++ (light creasing, cornerwear, sticker)
Vinyl: M- (Outstanding!)
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