Search - Teardrop Explodes :: Greatest Hits

Proof that acid can be good for you?

Johnny Teardrop | Liverpool | 08/05/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Gone as quickly as they arrived, The Teardrop Explodes were a more colourful alternative to the other, decidedly greyer post-punk bands of the late 70's/early 80's. Led by Tamworth's finest, Julian Cope, they managed to fit as much invention into their 2 albums as many long term bands could muster. This compilation does a pretty great job of providing an introduction to all things Teardrop-related... there are the stunning singles, such as 'Reward', 'Passionate Friend' and 'Treason', but also a few surprises (such as 'Suffocate' and 'Culture Bunker') which stand up well with the better-known material. The album loses its way a little in the 2nd half ('Tiny Children' and 'The In-Psychlopedia' fill up space which could have been better filled by tracks like 'Books' or 'Bent Out Of Shape') but it's hard to complain when the album closes with 'The Great Dominions', probably Cope's best attempt at a Scott Walker-style epic.

I won't pretend that the Teardrop will be to everyone's taste- some will find them too 80's or too psychedelic- but for me, the songwriting shines through any traces of over-production. A band who should have been more influential than they have been, Cope's army of acid-mad Liverpool lads will maybe one day get the recognition they deserve."