Retro Spins: The Psychedelic Furs - Midnight To Midnight

1986 saw a major boost for The Psychedelic Furs with their recorded version of Pretty in Pink for the film of the same name. When released as a single, it became their biggest hit in the USA, and UK at the time, but also garnered pressure for the band to return to the studio before they were ready.

Rolling Stones producer Chris Kimsey guided the boys through what would become 1987's Midnight To Midnight. While it would be their biggest Top 40 success to date, singer Richard Butler would later characterize the album as "hollow, vapid and weak".

As a whole, the final product was more overtly commercial than their prior recordings, possibly not a bad thing, but different for long time fans. The lead single, Heartbreak Beat, would ultimately become the Furs biggest Top 40 hit in the US. Despite this, Midnight To Midnight would see an overall decline in sales when compared to their previous album, Mirror Moves (1984).

If you purchased the original UK and / or European cassettes or CD's you'd be treated to the additional remake of Pretty In Pink. Otherwise, your only other option to obtain the song would be to purchase the actual soundtrack, not a bad idea to do, if you ask me.

I think I've reached the point of acceptance that The Psychedelic Furs are simply not going to be my new next favorite band. I don't know. I guess I was hoping for this eye-opening experience, such as I got when clambering for all of the Split Enz discs.

Midnight To Midnight does offer a fair listening experience. I won't call it bad by any means. I just hoped for more than just the aforementioned hit. I suppose, in hindsight, I can give a subtle nod of appreciation for the final track, No Release. However, this could just be because it was memorable from being the last song I heard.

Regardless of my personal opinions, the Furs did see a bit of a resurgence from their hit, and this resulted in previous drummer Vince Ely returning to the band. This was followed by the 1988 compilation, All This And More, which featured the new song, All That Money Wants. This was followed by their final album of the decade, 1989's Book Of Days.

I'll be leapfrogging over the greatest hits, and diving straight into the latter tomorrow.

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