A DEBUT GUEST POSTING by ADRIAN MAHON
You reach that age… I’ve been meaning to do this for a while. The Thompson Twins were one of those bands that everyone knows, but their early stuff is somewhat neglected (possibly rightly). The Indie kids never really liked them as a trio, but their first albums remain something of a record of the concerns of the early 80s.
Squares and Triangles – 1980 Single
The first single. Ho, and indeed, hum. An extended jam that at least proved that the four-piece (called after some TinTin characters) could play. Having moved from Sheffield to London, their musical tastes were to be changed within the squatting ‘community’: leading to singles and a first album very much of it’s time. Oddly, this came with a multitude of coloured sleeves (me neither…)
Perfect Game – 1981 (from ‘A Product of…’)
Still a four piece, but with a half decent producer, the sound becomes more mature. The theme of the sound is in the vein of lots of ‘angst’ lyrics of the time (think ‘Vienna’ by Utravox). Still; half decent.
Politics – 1981 (from ‘A Product of…’)
A perfect piece of its time: ‘the personal is political’. Now a six-piece, the sound is fuller. At this time, they would light incense on the stage when they played: proto-crusties. The first thing of theirs I bought, having seen them supporting U2.
A product of… – 1981 (from ‘A Product of…’)
Using the expanded line-up with a big brassy sound. God knows what it’s about; but a cracker live.
Oumma Aularesso (‘Animal Laugh’) – 1981 (from ‘A Product of…’)
Apparently a folk song from Sierra Leone. Everyone was going wild about Womad: a time when South America could seem exotic. A Product of…it’s time.
Living in Europe – 1981 (from ‘Set’)
An anti-nuke song: “yeah, yeah”. As they all did. Steve Lillywhite production; and it shows.
Bouncing – 1981 (from ‘Set’)
Thomas Dolby synth (Alannah couldn’t play yet…). Perfectly acceptable pop that works.
Runaway – 1981 (from ‘Set’)
Showing a more mature and reflective sound; one of the reasons the album got a positive reception.
The Rowe – 1981 (from ‘Set’)
“In a birds’ nest, I find an egg Well I break it up and rub it all over my head And I wonder should I do this or should I do that And does it matter if this whole story is a matter of fact”
Who knows? I love the feel of this track: melancholy at its best.
In the Name of Love – 1981 (from ‘Set’)
Originally a filler; this was a big hit in the States. Infuriating as hell.
THE NEW VINYL VILLAIN 
I don’t think I’ll be replaying most of that, but as is often said round these parts… it really was a cracking debut single. I’d happily have that on a playlist of lost 80s gems.
I not too familar with almost all of these apart from In The Name Of Love. I really liked Thompson Twins for a while but I like Tintin more. Much more.
I enjoyed the Thompson Twins period directly after this with Lies all the way to Into The Gap, until it got played to death with too many singles released. I bowed out with Lay Your Hands On Me.
I would have made room for We Are Detectives. Other than that, really good ICA.
A great choice of bands to be given the ICA treatment Adrian. I loved Quick Step and Into The Gap at the time, they were pure pop with a (little) bit of an edge – at least compared to their TOTP contemporaries. I did also get Here’s To Future Days, purchased by my Aunt for my birthday, but they had lost their appeal by then.
Interesting to hear here the build up to their chart success from post-punk new wave beginnings to “In the Name of Love” dance pop. Also worth adding in to the mix is their 1991 club hit Come Inside (Feedback Max house mix). I remember hearing this in disbelief that it was the same Thompson Twins of my pre/early teens.
I wanted to focus on ‘the early days…’. Teaching Sociology A level, I began thinking of how many of their songs reflected the concerns at the time. I listened to the first two albums a lot and they have the appeal of nostalga, but give them a pretty wide berth these days. I’ll take Bananarma for similar ‘pop’, anytime.
Hold Me Now is one of the greatest singles ever