Disco de Prefab Sprout: “The Collection”

Prefab Sprout really never caught in the U.S. That may be an understatement! I would venture to say that a lot of people have never heard of them, which is truly unfortunate. They graced the pages of the 80's teen magazine STAR HITS constantly- it may be why that magazine closed down- it was just too hip for the room- at least in the U.S. Maybe that is a good description for Prefab Sprout. This hits collections contains 2 discs full of smartly crafted pop confections. I would not say that they are overtly British, but they are obviously not American. Disc one contains the "hits" (they were hits in the U.K.); Disc two contains "B-sides" (although some of the songs are just random album tracks that were used as B-sides- they aren't B-sides in the sense that they are hard to find.) A lot of the songs here were produced by Thomas Dolby- but be aware that Prefab Sprout were NOT blinded by science! (Their music does not sound like Mr. Dolby's!) Great retrospective from an overlooked 80's gem of a band.

This is pop music of the very highest order: immensely literate and lyrical, sophisticated, hip, subtle, inspiring, joyous....I could go on and on, but let me just say this: it really restores your faith in human creativity. I must confess that I had never listened to this group before acquiring this CD a week ago. WOW, was I missing out!! McAloon is a indeed a GENIUS. No doubt about it. The comparisons to the great Cole Porter made by critics are well-founded. His work makes that of 99% of the rest of the pack look shabby, shallow, tired, and juvenile. Listening to this CD is the pop music equivalent of watching Renoir's Rules of the Game or reading Rilke's Duino Elegies. You feel uplifted. McAloon's music is that outstanding and it is a real pity that it has not received much more recognition from the public! If I were a Broadway producer looking to put on a musical with truly original music, I would go straight to McAloon. Paddy, where are you? (I have already gone out and bought another one of Prefab's CDs and cannot wait to sink my ears into it!)

Though this is the most you need from this great, unjustly forgotten band, you'll probably want to by their remaining 6 albums once you're through. This comprehensive collection houses only two sad omissions: "One of the Broken" and "Wild Horses". Otherwise, it's all gold; the ten best songs are, in my opinion, "Horsin' Around", the rare inclusion "Lions in My Own Garden", which is still a pop masterpiece from the opening harmonica, "Cue Fanfare", "Desire As", "Cruel", "The King of Rock'n'Roll" (of course), "Johnny Johnny (Goodbye Lucille #1)", "Appetite", "Carnival 2000", "Bonny", "Life of Surprises", and "Jesse James Bolero". The stuff off of "Andromeda Heights" is pretty good, especially the singles, the title track and "Life's a Miracle". Don't miss it.

For me, the criteria for judging the relative genius level of a pop songsmith is how well a song and its melody sticks with you. Prefab Sprout have it all down - all sewn up. How can I ever get out of my mind the irresistible melodies of "Carnival 2000" or "Life Full of Surprises"?

Sorry if I have the song-titles wrong or if I don't know the guy's name( Paddy MacLoon?).

Names and song- titles are left-brain stuff.

Bottom-line is that melody affects the right side of the brain and that's where these songs stick.

Genius pop in the vein of the best of Brian Wilson or Lennon-McCartney or Supertramp.

A very touching collection of songs that sets you in a special mood.