The Slingbacks, All Pop No Star ( Virgin -1996)
I know very little about this band and pretty much all I know is they starting life being called MS45 this band lasted just one album and a few singles.
Signed to Virgin they had this album on the label and that is it. One single as MS45 and three as The Slingbacks. I remember Raw magazine at the time rated them highly and after I saw the 'All Pop No Star' video on Top of the Pops 2 I got the single.
With britpop doing so well pop music was what was in the charts. And there is nothing wrong with a pop tune or thirteen as it turns out (unlucky for some).
Taster single was enough for me to buy the album and I am glad I did, it is one of my highlights of British music in the 90s and it is still played all the time by me.
If you want an album to put a smile of your face then this is it. This album is catchy, tuneful and sing along perfect. First single 'No Way Down' is an all out rock n roll song that makes any rock fan happy. And the big part is that voice! Shireen Liane could melt you into your seat.
'Trashy Broken Heart' should have been a single and a big hit. As is 'Hey Douglas' (Tribute to Douglas Hopkins) it deals with depression and alcohol problems, the song is delivered with some of the best writing you will ever hear on ANY album. This album is real and it can easily be played in 20 years and the inspiration for the songs still relevant in anyones life.
Now you see the potential of this album a few tracks in and it is possible singles all the way. Not one bad track is on this CD, each song sounds fantastic and it also sounds new to my ears. More due to the crystal clear production that MTV rarely got by britpop bands.
The band had a great songwriter and one that seems to know how to turn any song into a catchy number. 'Sometimes I Hate You' is again back to the guitar driven rock n roll like the first song but it is grounded and made pop friendly by the vocals. More of a nod of respect to punk bands than a clenched fist at the pop sellouts.
'The Boy Who Wanted A Heroine' was another single and a last attempt for stardom. A song with a fantastic guitar solo that needs to be heard bay anyone who plays or even likes guitar music. And again the single failed to chart and that was it, the last I heard of them was this single.
More great songs are to come 'Whorehouse Priest' and 'Junkstruck' both show are just amazing songs and serious front runners as my favorite on the album.
Album closer 'Stupid Boyfriend' gives you one last chance to hear Shireen and it is great acoustic number to end things on a quality track.
Most of the pop world even back then was ghost writers and singers who really could not sing. But to get a truly great pop album is rare and here we have one. There is nothing wrong with a good sing along album that has great tunes and something to say.
This blog was started because albums like this just can't be forgotten. Not just missing a chance to make it big in the music business but to miss out on a second album or even a new single is a shame. The album should have been in the top ten and I also think the American college radio market could have made them very big as the cross of rock and pop at the time was really popular.
Remember the 7" single was invented for pop music songs so take this album as a tribute to that invention.
All hail the three minute pop song.
I have noticed the album is now available to download but copies can be easily obtained second hand on e bay and amazon.
