Altered Images
Country of origin:
Scotland
Type of music generally:
Bouncy New Wave alternative pop
Status:
No longer recording. Final release of new material, Bite (1983); several Best Of albums have followed
See also:
WIkipedia's entry on Altered Images
Comparisons:
Bits of their sound are similar to Siouxsie and the Banshees, or perhaps this is what it would sound like if the Cranes decided to bop and pop. (Neile)
Covers/own material:
Own, occasional covers
General comments:
Driving new wave pop sound with baby-voice vocals over. Great sense of fun. An under-rated band. (Neile)
Recommended first album:
Happy Birthday is my favourite, but one of the "Best of" will probably be easiest to find. (Neile)
Recordings:
Release info:
1981—Epic/CBS—37738
Availability:
unknown
Ecto priority:
Recommended for lovers of bouncy fun pop
Group members:
Claire Grogan—vocals
Jim McKinven—guitar
Johnny McElhone—bass
Michael "Tich" Anderson—drums
Tony McDaid—guitar
Produced by:
Steve Severin
Comments:
This is a really fun album, and some of the songs have run in my head since I first bought the vinyl in 1982. I must say, though, that both times I bought this I got it used—not necessarily worth full price, but over the years I've realized just how charming this music is and I'm glad to have my own copy. (Neile)
Release info:
1982—Sony/Epic—983 327 2 (re-released on cd 1994)
Availability:
Wide on release and re-release
Ecto priority:
Recommended for lovers of bouncy fun pop
Group members:
Claire Grogan—vocals
Jim McKinven—guitar
Johnny McElhone—bass
Michael "Tich" Anderson—drums
Tony McDaid—guitar
Comments:
Another poppy boppy fun album. There's a cover here of Neil Diamond's "Song Sung Blue" which really needed to be sung in Claire Crogan's baby voice—you can't take it seriously, which is perfect. I'm also a big fan of the title song "Pinky Blue" and "Funny Funny Me" especially. (Neile)
Release info:
1983—Portrait/CBS—BFR 38585
Availability:
Vinyl only?
Ecto priority:
Recommended for Altered Images fans
Group members:
Claire Grogan, Stephen Lironi, Tony McDaid, Joyn McElhone, Gerry McElhone
Guest artists:
Peter Vettese—additional keyboards
Holly—additional keyboards
Simon—additional keyboards
Kyoto: Annie Mo & Mark—backing vocals
Morris Michael—backing vocals
Bernie Michael—backing vocals
Leroy Osbourne—backing vocals
Andy Hamilton—saxophone
Produced by:
Mike Chapman
Comments:
My partner couldn't even make it through the first track, but I love the poppy '80s rock with Claire Grogan's baby voice. Happy Birthday is a better album, but this is still good fun. Wow, Claire Grogan looks like Boy George on the cover. (Neile)
Release info:
There appear to be three of these:
- Best of Altered Images (Connoisseur Collection VSOP CD 177)
- Reflected Images: The Best of Altered Images (Epic 484339 2)
- I Could Be Happy: The Best of Altered Images (Sony)
Further info:
Lead singer Claire Grogan is an actress and has appeared on tv shows in the U.K. and in two Bill Forsythe movies, Gregory's Girl and Comfort and Joy.
|
|
|
