Frankie Says: Buy This (Welcome To The Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes To Hollywood)

Member Name: bagoproverbial

Product:	Welcome To The Pleasuredome - Frankie Goes To Hollywood
Date:	14/10/07 (97 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Original, some great tracks

Disadvantages: A few odd moments and poor covers

When I was a kid, like many other kids I detested the clutch of smarmy, self-satisfied radio 1 DJs that ruled the airwaves back then- so gratifyingly lampooned by Harry Enfield and Paul Whitehouse. "What are you doing this weekend, MATE?" "Well, MATE, I'm doing an awful lot of work for chariddy..."

Mike Read was one such smarm, and bizarrely Frankie Goes to Hollywood fans such as I have something to thank this man for- helping to bring this band not only to their attention but to the attention of the masses. By the end of 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood were arguably the biggest pop band on the planet, due in part to Mike Read's refusal to play their single "Relax" on the radio on the grounds that it was "disgusting" I believe. Granted, it's a bit rude but really quite tongue-in-cheek, like much of their material, and this really showcased the lack of any sense of humour at the BBC more than anything else.

So what happened? "Relax" went to number one, "Two Tribes" went to number one, and "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" went to number one- and correct me if I'm wrong but I believe they were the fist band in history to have three consecutive number one singles to debut with.

Strangely, the band had formed way back in 1980, and made a low-key appearance on The Tube in 1982 which attracted interest from various record producers, including Trevor Horn, who became the band's producer for this album.

Enough of the history lesson: back to the album. All three songs are on this album, including the full glorious version of "Welcome to the Pleasuredome". There are also some filler tracks, including a couple of dodgy ones, although "Ballad of 32" is beautiful in its strummed simplicity.

By far and away the best track on the album though is "The Power of Love", probably also the best ballad of the entire decade and one of the greatest songs ever written. even now when I play this song it makes the hairs stand up on the back of my neck. It is, quite simply, beautiful beyond comparison, and the slightly naff lyrics somehow serve to make it even more so.

The album has a slightly prog feel to it, in part because of the strangely arty way in which it starts, with a peculiar track called "The World is my Oyster" (maybe not so peculiar, as the world was indeed fast becoming their oyster at this time) which eventually melts away into the long, bombastic future-pop of the title track, one of the highlights of the album. Others, aside of course from the three major singles, include the slightly creepy "Only Star in Heaven" and "Krisco Kisses", both dance-pop gems.

Although the album has its weirder moments, overall its an excellent piece of work- a rare case of the hype surrounding a band being lived up to by their product.

What happened to FGTH after this? They released one more album, "Liverpool" (which is best left forgotten) in 1986, and then disappeared completely. I believe singer Holly Johnson is now an art critic or art musuem curator or possibly even an artist now. Either way, "Welcome to the Pleasuredome" is essential listening for any 80s pop completist.

And it's also the only Frankie album you ever need to buy, unless of course you like to collect remixes. ;)

Summary: Definitely recommended. An essential 80s pop album.