Search - Modern English :: Life in the Gladhouse 80-84: B.O. Modern English

Whose Best Of?

Michael Paulsen | Rancho Santa Margarita, CA USA | 08/27/2002

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Modern English are certainly deserving of a decent Best Of, but this one featuring songs from their 4AD years is just one big question mark. The darker, harsher debut MESH AND LACE gets far too much coverage here and their best two albums -- AFTER THE SNOW and RICOCHET DAYS -- are weakly represented. For starters, why on earth someone would omit "Someone's Calling" and "Hands Across the Sea" is absolutely beyond me -- two of their quintessential songs. I almost get the impression that this one was compiled by a fan of their earlier "goth" sound who almost begrudgingly (and smugly?) includes the smash "I Melt With You", sandwiched inappropriately between MESH AND LACE material. It would be nice to see material from STOP START ("Ink and Paper" was a great song) and possibly even PILLOW LIPS included in a truly comprehensive compilation, because this one widely misses the mark by purporting to be a "Best Of"."

This is NOT a greatest hits CD!

Michael Paulsen | 05/29/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is a Best Of compilation which is quite different. The people who made this compilation (for better or worse) decided to leave out many of the singles that were actually released by Modern English and did actually get some decent airplay. This CD, is not about playing all of the songs everyone knows - since most people aren't familiar with Modern English anyway. This CD is about telling the story about one of the most underated bands of all time. Yes, After The Snow is definitely a better album. And I really do wish they might have included some of their later singles, and not just included album cuts from the later albums, but the music none-the-less is excellent. It includes some of their earlier, dark post-punk experimental rock music, which is ultra hard to find. It has the most popular songs from Mesh & Lace, as well as some of the better stuff from After The Snow, including the classic anthem, "I Melt With You". It also features many excellent songs from the underrated Ricochet Days album. The CD liner notes includes a history of the band as well as an intervue with two of the band members. If you love post-punk or new wave music, you will love this album. The bassist is as good as Peter Hook, the synths are phenomenal, the melodies and harmonies and lyrics are all excellent as well. If you like the Cure, New Order, Joy Division or similar music, definitely check this album out!"

This is what Modern English was all about!

J. Campbell | Dallas, TX United States | 07/11/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Modern English have always been much more than just "I Melt With You". In fact I would put several of these songs on this disc up against it. Will people who simply know them through Valley Girl be put off by the darker more experimental songs like "Gathering Dust" or "Sixteen Days"? Quite possibly, but then they'd really be missing the point of what Modern English were trying to get across. I agree songs like "Someone's Calling" or "Hands Across the Sea" should have been included, but overall I think this compilation really represents what Modern English were about, and really gets at the sound they were trying to convey. It's also a bonus that they didn't include material from any of the albums after Ricochet Days. The lineup had changed and they lost their direction, though having just seen them live, they seem to be back on track and the new material played was quite good, albeit with only 2 original members."