*** This North American release on Tompkins Square is housed in a Deluxe digipak, containing artist photos and extensive notes by Paddy McAloon ! *** Prefab Sprout return with the eagerly anticipated new album Let s Change The World With Music , their first album in eight years. Prefab Sprout s classic pop and elegant ballads have provided us with uplifting songs carrying a poignant emotional weight. Rising to fame in the 80 s, Prefab Sprout are one of Britain s most beloved bands. Singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon is revered for his critically acclaimed, intelligent songwriting and is regularly lauded as one of the great British songwriters. The band s stature has risen steadily in recent years, due in part to the 2007 reissue of their classic album Steve McQueen which earned an 8.6 from Pitchfork, who called it some of the most beautiful, enduring British pop music ever made. Let s Change The World With Music was written and produced by Paddy McAloon at Andromeda Heights and mixed in Scotland by Calum Malcolm. Paddy began work on Let s Change The World With Music in 1992 in what was the follow-up to Jordan: The Comeback . The 11-tracks are rejoiceful and uplifting, striking an endearingly familiar chord, all the while sounding fresh and timeless. Highlights are aplenty and include the celestial Ride , the jazzy sway of I Love Music and the melancholic Sweet Gospel Music . Seven of Prefab Sprout s albums have reached the Top 40 in the UK. Their 1988 album Langley Park To Memphis charted at No. 5 and their 90 s album Jordan: The Comeback yielded a Brit Award nomination for Album of the Year. The band s classic single, "The King of Rock 'N' Roll" peaked at No. 7.
G**A
The good is really good, and the bad isn't too bad
It's incredible to realize that the corporate heads at the record company did not recognize the potential in this beautiful and very, very good music. It's a damn shame because it undoubtly LCTWWM would've been the triumphant and masterful followup to Jordan: The Comeback itself.For not being a polished recording, rarely have the Sprouts come close to achieving such an emotional depth over the course of an album.My beef with the record is Paddy McAloon interjected his current self via vocal overdubs into the old mix (perhaps for cohesiveness and a more finished sounding project, which is understandable). One moment you hear younger Paddy's subtle and boyishly earnest young voice and then a slightly gruff and almost indulgent over-earnestess of his older sounding voice creep in and trying to pass off the vocal take as existing on the same plane in time and space. The effect is like a fresco painter trying to match colors and fill in pieces that have fallen off the wall hoping no one will notice. Of course we notice. The ambiguity between it being packaged and sold as a new recording culled from old recordings is a strategy you wouldn't expect from a band as great as Prefab Sprout.In other words, perhaps the lesson of this regrettably aborted project could be this: changing the world with music starts when both record companies and artist resist meddling.
S**N
A Very Listenable Addition to Paddy's Songbook
A fan since Swoon, I know Paddy's work can be an acquired taste. I understand what it feels like to experience disappointment in a Sprout album. Andromeda Heights did not sit well with me after a few listens and I gave up hope on future albums. But I was blown away by the remastered Steve McQueen (especially the amazing acoustic versions), and thrilled to discover that this new album was among Paddy's best work. Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good was brilliant and Jordan: The Comeback a work of pure genius. This new effort carries on that tradition ... a consistently accessible collection by a confident songwriter at the peak of his game. Please ignore the negative reviews here. These tracks may technically be "home-recorded," but only an audio engineer could quibble over such polished recordings ... these are not demos. The religious lyrics are no different than those at the end of Jordan and do not prosthelytize. But here's an idea ... listen to the audio clips above and make up your own mind! That's how I knew this was a must-have album.
G**E
Love Of Music
Prefab Sprout is Paddy McAloon's prize & it shows on this wonderful 2009 release. Songs filled with talk of God & happiness like Let There Be Music, Ride, God Watch Over You & Sweet Gospel Music. This cd just rolls with simple hooks & rhythms & never really stops,it's almost like Paddy is singing over a rooftop & spreading the word of ones love for his musical genius. One of the very gifted songwriters of our generation. This is a definite cd for the avid Prefab fan & deserves a 5 star rating.
D**E
Great Idea!
Once again Paddy makes me wish I'd written at least 3/4 of the tracks on this record. maybe more. If I ruled the world this music would be the most popular. I turn others on to it an any given opportunity.
O**E
Nothing Like the Sprouts
I have been a fan of this band since I was stationed in Europe in the early 1980s. No one else makes music like the Sprouts; always catchy, always moving the definition of smart pop music in the right direction.
P**E
Larry's dreams he's a beach god
Fabulous paddy dreams he's a beach god riding to JesusHe should release more often and get Wendy back on vocals
E**H
some of the best music i've ever heard
some of the best music i've ever heard. paddy is everything missing from music. this record is an ode to Christ and music. nothing else like it. dig the deep jazzy bass lines, hip hop beats, the groove and honesty. paddy deserves all the hugs he wants. listening to this music just makes me want to say thank you for this paddy. profound gratitude for the direction his heart went and goes.
M**0
Prefab Supreme!!
This is in my opinion PS's best album in terms of consistency. All the tracks are beautifully crafted and are layered with shimmering orchestration and Paddy's superb voice. Although the band may have had their heyday in the 80s in terms of popularity, this 2009 release stands up with their best work. Standouts like God Watch Over You, Ride, Music Is A Princess, Earth The Story So Far and Sweet Gospel Music are a clear reminder of how talented Paddy McAloon is. If there's a deluxe edition of this album one day with even more material, I'm on board!
D**.
Yes super! my fav band
Yes super ! my fav band ! good CD s
T**S
Vamos mudar o mundo com a música
Esse disco a gente ouve e ele eleva a alma. Não só pq o autor menciona Deus em várias músicas, mas é uma ode à própria música. A começar pelo título do álbum.
F**O
paddy un maestro di vita e di melodie
paddy è convinto che la musica sia il linguaggio di Dio.....ecco da dove si ispira per le sue melodie !....Ottimo anche il nuovo lavoro Crimson/Red .....non può assolutamente mancare agli amanti dei Prefab Sprout.....Fabio
M**O
Maravilloso
Ha sido como descubrir un tesoro escondido durante años, lo pongo al nivel de sus mejores discos. La plenitud creativa de Paddy es completa en todas las canciones. Un álbum sofisticado y emocionante. Canciones como "God watch over you" te elevan espiritualmente. Un 10
A**O
ottimo
album positivo, registrazione buona, suono pulito e definito, suoni tipici del gruppo, il disco è ok, servizio di spedizione efficiente ma comunicazione con corriere nulla.. peccato..
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