Reviewed by Mike Rimmer

So what happens when a band renowned for being totally '80s synth pop influenced and with a huge debt to early '80s Techno/Kraftwerk-style pop decide to strip it down, simplify and go "acoustic"? It's actually pretty radical because there's still rhythm tracks but instead of swathes of synths you get a single keyboard/piano sound and Bob Moon's voice and some string sounds thrown in to give it some atmosphere but compared to the original versions, this is quite a departure. The fact that it works means that some critics are going to have to re-evaluate their assumptions about Ronnie Martin's songwriting since this proves that there's a great deal of substance hiding behind the previous full production. It's fun hearing classics like "Sugar Rush", "The Cobbler" and "The Girl From Rosewood Lane" reworked alongside a couple of new songs "These Should Be The Good Times" and "Losing Touch With Everyone". Simple and an interesting contrast to their other recordings, my own reservation is that in this context Moon's Marc Almond-style slightly off key vocal delivery sound off kilter in places.

The opinions expressed in this article are not necessarily those held by Cross Rhythms. Any expressed views were accurate at the time of publishing but may or may not reflect the views of the individuals concerned at a later date.

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