PURPLE HEARTS "BEAT THAT" REVIEW

 

Beat That Album Review
This is the third album to come out of mod and it stands head and shoulders above both “Glory Boys” and “Face In The Crowd”, good though they are.

Six months ago Jamming Fanzine said that the Hearts only had two good songs-“Jimmy” and “Millions Like Us”-well songs like “I’ve been away”, “Can’t Stay Here” and the mighty “Frustration” prove them wrong once and for all.

A track listing is “Jimmy”  “Perfect World” Something You Can’t Have”  “Beat That” and “Nothings Left”. While side two contains “Frustration” “If You Need Me” (a Wilson Picket cover) followed by “Can’t Stay Here” Bowies “Can’t Help Thinking About Me” closing with “Slay It With Flowers” and “I’ve Been Away”.

All the songs stick to the tried and tested Purple Hearts formula, familiar through “Millions” and “Jimmy” except for “If You Need Me” (not very successful on vinyl) and “Slay It With Flowers” Jeff Shadbolts first solo composition. It has a haunting almost psychedelic tune that sticks in your mind for ages. I love it.

The addition of keyboards on “Perfect World” really adds something to the song, a good example of how the band have used the benefits of the studio without going over the top like say Boston or Genesis. In general the production is faultless- a real credit to Chris Parry and the band.

As a debut album “Beat That” is staggeringly good-compare “Beat That” with “In The City” and you’ll see that the Hearts have the ability to equal or surpass The Jam in the years ahead-but I’m sure a lot of people will dispute that! All in one of the best albums of the past couple of years and well worth smashing your piggy bank to buy a copy.

From SOUTH CIRCULAR 1980

stevethemod@hotmail.com

 

Page added June 2003