The Album Club: "Jordan: the Comeback" by Prefab Sprout

Neapolitan · 04-05-2018, 12:51 AM

OK I found the album on YT and was somewhat relieved I that it was available. I click play and upon hearing "Looking for Atlantis" the very first thought I had was: Is this Scientology music? Was this song written by L Ron Hubbard? Then I start wondering did this album come with a free copy of Dianetics?

The guys voice is too subdued and whispery. And the music is like New Wave slow down to half speed and put through a deflavoring machine. However that holds true to a lot of music at this time, and it has to do with the synths available at the time, namely FM. Not that I hate FM synthesizers. But what marked the down fall of 80s music was the switch from analog to FM synthesizers. They were thin sounding. They didn't have the depth and warmth of analogy. I'm not knocking FM, you can coax some interesting sounds. I only mention that cause that is my problem with any music from this era. Whatever they used, there are parts on this album where it sounds like they were using a toy synthesizer on it.

Combine the placid music tone and the whispery lounge singer's voice and Scientology and/or Mormon themed lyrics only made it a slightly unnerving and uncomfortable experience when listening to this album.

... and if you any of you think this album equal to or is better than Blurred Crusade, I laugh at you!

~~MicShazam~~ · 04-05-2018, 01:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

However that holds true to a lot of music at this time, and it has to do with the synths available at the time, namely FM. Not that I hate FM synthesizers. But what marked the down fall of 80s music was the switch from analog to FM synthesizers. They were thin sounding. They didn't have the depth and warmth of analogy. I'm not knocking FM, you can coax some interesting sounds. I only mention that cause that is my problem with any music from this era. Whatever they used, there are parts on this album where it sounds like they were using a toy synthesizer on it.

I never thought about that. Do you have a few album suggestions that would really illustrate the difference to me?

Neapolitan · 04-05-2018, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MicShazam

I never thought about that. Do you have a few album suggestions that would really illustrate the difference to me?

I guess take any band that spanned switch. Prog bands are a good examples like Yes, Genesis and Rush.

Close to the Edge or Big Generator
Selling England by the Pound or We Can't Dance
Moving Pictures or Power Windows

OccultHawk · 04-05-2018, 04:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

I guess take any band that spanned switch. Prog bands are a good examples like Yes, Genesis and Rush.

Close to the Edge or Big Generator
Selling England by the Pound or We Can't Dance
Moving Pictures or Power Windows

But rock bands don’t usually age well no matter what they do.

Eno and legion of imitators on the other hand used FM Synthesizers correctly.

PS Blurred Crusade is better fwiw

Trollheart · 04-05-2018, 06:23 AM

You're entitled to your opinion, Nea, but I'm confused about the Scientology reference? Explain?

Oh, and what a surprise that you'd choose your album (which you've been bleating over ever since you believe I didn't give it a fair review) over mine. Now if you had said, I don't know, maybe Swing Out Sister or something, maybe I'd have given your opinion more credibility.

OccultHawk · 04-05-2018, 07:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

You're entitled to your opinion, Nea, but I'm confused about the Scientology reference? Explain?

Oh, and what a surprise that you'd choose your album (which you've been bleating over ever since you believe I didn't give it a fair review) over mine. Now if you had said, I don't know, maybe Swing Out Sister or something, maybe I'd have given your opinion more credibility.

Seriously?

Psy-Fi · 04-05-2018, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neapolitan

OK I found the album on YT and was somewhat relieved I that it was available. I click play and upon hearing "Looking for Atlantis" the very first thought I had was: Is this Scientology music? Was this song written by L Ron Hubbard? Then I start wondering did this album come with a free copy of Dianetics?

Combine the placid music tone and the whispery lounge singer's voice and Scientology and/or Mormon themed lyrics only made it a slightly unnerving and uncomfortable experience when listening to this album.

... and if you any of you think this album equal to or is better than Blurred Crusade, I laugh at you!

I didn't initially notice a possible Scientology connection but now that you mention it...

And Blurred Crusade had at least 3 songs that I found catchy enough to listen to a second time, so I have to say it was the better album.

Trollheart · 04-05-2018, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by OccultHawk

Seriously?

Seriously what? That he'd tout his album over mine, or that I don't see the Scientology reference?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Psy-Fi

I didn't initially notice a possible Scientology connection but now that you mention it...

And Blurred Crusade had at least 3 songs that I found catchy enough to listen to a second time, so I have to say it was the better album.

I still don't get it. What are you guys talking about?

**Frownland** · 04-05-2018, 11:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trollheart

Seriously what? That he'd tout his album over mine, or that I don't see the Scientology reference?

Probably the part where you took Neapy's taste personally and dictated that he should have touted an album apart from one that he's already made clear that he's a fan of.

Trollheart · 04-05-2018, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frownland

Probably the part where you took Neapy's taste personally and dictated that he should have touted an album apart from one that he's already made clear that he's a fan of.

What? He says "your album sucks, I prefer mine" and I'm supposed to be surprised at that? I don't care that he did it, I just find it totally predictable. My question was, and is, still about the Scientology thing. Anyone want to enlighten me here?

View Poll Results: How Much Did You Enjoy The Album?
Loved it	1	14.29%
Liked it	2	28.57%
Meh	1	14.29%
Disliked it	1	14.29%
Hated it	2	28.57%
Voters: 7. You may not vote on this poll

04-05-2018, 06:23 AM	#15 (permalink)
Trollheart Born to be mild Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: 404 Not Found Posts: 26,994	You're entitled to your opinion, Nea, but I'm confused about the Scientology reference? Explain? Oh, and what a surprise that you'd choose your album (which you've been bleating over ever since you believe I didn't give it a fair review) over mine. Now if you had said, I don't know, maybe Swing Out Sister or something, maybe I'd have given your opinion more credibility. __________________ Trollheart: Signature-free since April 2018 Last edited by Trollheart; 04-05-2018 at 06:35 AM.