Retro Spins: Thompson Twins - Set

 

Thompson Twins were able to secure a recording deal with Arista, and in doing so, swelled to seven members with the addition of Matthew Seligman who took over bass duties. This was an important shift, as it allowed Tom Bailey to focus fully on lead vocals. Thomas Dolby would also be on hand to provide assistance on keyboards, assisting Peter Dodd, who still wasn't too familiar with the instrument.

Ironically, the final recorded track for the album, In The Name Of Love, was written as filler by Bailey. While it would fail to attract much attention in the UK, it would become a staple dance track in the US, reaching number two on the Billboard dance charts. It would also be selected for inclusion in the blockbuster film, Ghostbusters, and its subsequent soundtrack.

The song would open many doors for the band, but with it, necessitate change. Members Peter Dodd, John Roog, Matthew Seligman, and Chris Bell would receive notice that the group was disbanding. Along with the notice, they received £500, and ownership of their instruments in exchange that they were never to perform again under the name, Thompson Twins.

Unaware to the noted members above, Tom Bailey, Alannah Currie, and Joe Leeway, had been convinced by manager, John Hade, to reduce the band to a trio, and continue in a musical direction akin to their noted hit above, but we'll touch on more of that aspect tomorrow.

Set would be renamed to In The Name Of Love for its release in the USA. However, this version of the album would remove songs Crazy Dog, and Blind, and replace them with Make Believe, and Perfect Game, two tracks from their debut, A Product Of...(Participation). As such, it's considered to be a compilation album, as opposed to an actual studio release.

As noted in yesterday's review of their debut, the original version of Set was eventually released on CD in 2008. However, this was a European exclusive, packed in a two-disc set with the band's debut album, which to date, the latter remains unreleased in the USA. This dual release is not only out of print, but incredibly expensive.

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let's first take a pause, and actually play through Set.

I don't know, I really like the sound a full-fledged Thompson Twins band. All the instruments come together, creating an enriching pop sound, which really makes the ears happy. I'm not sure how well future albums are going to go for me with the major reduction, removal of guitars, etc. Again, I'm getting sidetracked, but it's difficult not to. I really enjoyed Set, and frankly, I want more of it.

Yes, the stripped-down pop, In The Name Of Love, is a classic song. It's the reason I bought, well, not Set, because I can't get my hands on that elusive 2008 CD, but rather, the above noted US released compilation. However, it turns out, it's not the best to come from the album.

Living In Europe, The Rowe, Another Fantasy, Fool's Gold, Crazy Dog, and Blind are all fantastic tracks. Hidden gems, even. Or perhaps not. Maybe I'm simply the one that's not in the know. Most of them were after all released in 1982 on the aforementioned compilation. Maybe I'm just now catching up to what I missed.

Regardless, the album was a great listening session, and as I noted above, I want more of that. While I'm excited to keep going through their discography, I'm equally that the forthcoming stripped down version of the band won't be able to deliver. I guess there's only one way to find out.

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