Search - Frankie Goes To Hollywood :: Welcome to the Pleasuredome (Reis)

Confirms what I always suspected...

J. Brady | PAWLEYS ISLAND, SC United States | 07/16/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Those Brits will fall for ANYTHING. Frankie madness swept England in the mid Eighties and was literally over before it began. One dud album later ( the lamentable Liverpool ) and it was all over except for the sobbing. As for "Pleasuredome", pure marketing genius is the strongest force behind it. People were so hyped by the singles Relax and Two Tribes, all those catchy slogans on the tee shirts and the media frenzy, that by the time this bloated beast arrived, it was snapped up by the truckload, apparently with no regard to its contents. If Pleasuredome were pared down to a single album, it would be simply perfect. A double album, however, was not only unnecessary, but criminal, and a complete joke on the frenzied public. The three singles ( the third being the gorgeous ballad the Power of Love ) plus the epic title track and a few of the more understated songs like Black Night White Light and the Ballad of 32 would make it one terrific album. But the covers ( among them War, Born to Run, and San Jose ) are laughable in both their selection and excecution, and spoil what otherwise could have been a pristine and possibly classic album. The same goes for throwaways like Krisco Kisses and Only Star in Heaven. By all means, if you love the eighties ( and lets face it, who doesn't ) get this album. The playing is tight, the production is superb ( take ANOTHER bow, Trevor Horn ) and there are a handful of great songs. But be warned : keep your finger close to the "skip" button on your cd player, you'll need it."

Filled with Energy

Alex | Cranston, Rhode Island United States | 08/22/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If you take away the hype around this album, you've got a classic Synth Pop masterpiece. The album starts off with the powerfull instrumental "The World Is My Oyster (Including Well/Snatch Of Fury)". Then comes the 13 minute "Welcome the Pleasuredome", pure listening enjoyment. You would think that a 13 mibute song would get tedious, nope not Frankie. The biggest Frankie hit comes up next, "Relax", which is a good signature song of the 80s. "War" and "Two Tribes" are powerful and could impress anyone. "Wish (The Lads Were Here" is a nice upbeat pop tune. I don't care for the cold and dreary "The Ballad of 32". "The Power of Love" is very uplifting, and "bang" is a great closing intrumental."

Their finest moment...

Steven Cain | Temporal Quantum Pocket | 07/04/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

""In Xanadu did Kubla Khan A stately pleasure-dome decree..." (Samuel Taylor Coleridge) With a title concept that leans on Coleridge's poem Kubla Khan, and a Ray Bradbury Sci Fi story or two, and a cover that evokes Their Satanic Majesties Request by the Stones, this was one powerful debut album.



The title track alone, which features the mighty Steve Howe on guitar (the album was brilliantly produced by his Yes bandmate Trevor Horn) is a work of art, and being supported by many other stunning songs, including the timeless Relax, Two Tribes and The Power Of Love, the album represents ridiculous value.



Sadly, this 'shooting star' reached the top almost too quickly and never followed through with anything comparable. Still, they left us with a true masterpiece, for which we should be grateful.



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