Retro Spins: The Psychedelic Furs - The Psychedelic Furs

I don't remember which came first for me. The Pretty In Pink soundtrack or randomly picking up a handful of their albums at a used CD store. Then there's the aspect of when I actually started hearing music from them that interested me. If I'm remembering correctly, I bought the soundtrack, then got a couple albums, then started hearing songs from them while perusing the 10,000 80's songs playlist, I found online.

The band initially consisted of Richard Butler (vocals), Tim Butler (bass guitar), Duncan Kilburn (saxophone), Paul Wilson (drums), and Roger Morris (guitars). By 1979, this line-up had expanded to a sextet with Vince Ely replacing Wilson on drums and John Ashton joining as a second guitarist.

Signing with Columbia Records, the Furs released their self-titled debut. However, depending on whether you bought the original UK or US release would not only dictate the cover you got, but the songs. While the UK pressing had nine tracks, the US release was expanded to ten. Additionally, the US version included the tracks, Susan's Strange, and Soap Commercial, which were not on the UK pressing. Further, the US release omitted Black Radio.

The album established the band on European radio stations, and became a hit in the UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Australia. Success in the USA wouldn't come until their follow-up release, 1981's Talk Talk Talk.

Well, uh-oh. This is why I need to stop buying albums I know nothing about, filling in gaps for bands I'm fairly unfamiliar with. The Fur's debut, while okay, wasn't what I hoped it would be.

Though I don't normally have comments on the technical aspects of records, I do here. The music, while well balanced, overshadows the vocals of Richard Butler, who frankly sounds like he's either whispering, shy, or miles away from the microphone. It's hard to understand him, and it's not helped by his raspy mumbling voice.

Because of this aspect, even when the music is catchy, it's hard to get into the tune because I can't understand most of the words being sung. Which is a real shame since the guitar work of John Ashton hooks often.

With my introduction to The Psychedelic Furs being their bigger hits from later years, my ears were more so hoping to hear that mixture of post-punk and new wave. However, the latter aspect is missing from their debut, granted intentionally, but still catches me off guard with my expectation. Overall, I'd call it a solid punk release, but ultimately not what I was hoping to get from it.

If you told me I had to pick something standout, I'd opt for The Wedding Song. It's the only track which not only sounds great but seems balanced, mixing wise, across music and vocals. I also enjoyed the back-and-forth fades of the guitar towards the end.

While I'm not jumping up and down at the end of it, and ready to zoom into another Furs album, I'm not deterred either. I'm definitely going to push forward through their 80's discography and make my way to the end. I know that better stuff is to come, and that unto itself is worth staying the course.

Click "HERE" to go back to the home page. For more posts related to this one, please click the labels below.

Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.