Description
Label Review.
A unique 2CD collection sourced from A Flock Of Seagulls' 7 and 12 singles and featuring rare mixes, remixes and b-sides - many appearing on CD for the first time in the UK.
Our Overview.
A Flock of Seagulls the new wave synthpop band from Liverpool, UK. Formed in 1979 the band has achieved cult status partially due to Mike Score’s haircut. The band was formed by brothers Mike and Ali Score with Francis Maudsley and Willie Woo, who was soon replaced by Paul Reynolds, brought in to complete the line up. Before performing live the band would practice above Mike’s hairdressing salon. Once confident enough to perform in front of a crowd, the band started to play in clubs where they quickly gained a following and peaked the interest of record producers.
They released a single called “Telecommunication” which became a dance hit in the US, placing at number 19 on the US dance chart. This success across the pond attracted the attention of Jive Records who signed them to their label. The band quickly released their debut album, “A Flock of Seagulls” in 1982, which peaked at number 10 in the US and number 5 in Canada. A single from the album, "I Ran (So Far Away)" became a runaway success hitting the number one spot in Australia and reaching the top 10 in the United States. Despite their popularity abroad, the band had yet to achieve significant success in the UK but that was set to change with the release of their 1983 album “Listen”. The lead single from the album, “Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)” climbed to number 10 on the UK singles chart and helped the album become a top 20 hit in the UK and the US. The band’s next album, “The Story of a Young Heart” was moderately successful but ultimately was unable to attract the same attention as A Flock of Seagulls’ first two albums. The band’s next two albums, “Dreams Come true” released in 1985 and “The Light At the End of the World” released ten years later failed to even make it onto the charts.
Now Cherry Red Records have sourced the material from the original production master tapes and the tracks cover the band’s most successful period of 1982 to 1986 and includes seven x 7″ versions, four x 12″ versions and numerous remixes and extended versions.
This compilation features the following singles:1. I Ran (So Far Away): This compilation includes four versions – U.S. 7″, Live, Longer and Edited.2. Space Age Love Song: Two versions – 7″ and Live. // Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You): Four versions – 7″, U.S. Edit 12″ Promo, Long and Short 3. (It’s Not Me) Talking:: 7″ version // Nightmares Three versions – 7″, 12″ and U.S. 12″ Promo 4. Transfer Affection: 7″ version // The More You Live The More You Love: Full Moon Mix 5. Never Again (The Dancer): Three versions – 7″, 12″ and Re-Mix // Who’sThat Girl (She’s Got It): Instrumental 6. Heartbeat Like A Drum: Full Length Version
Other tracks include the B-sides : 1. The Flight Of Yuri Gagarin (Full Length Version), 2. Rosenmontag (Short & Long Versions), 3. Single Medley 4. The Traveller (Live Version).
The CD booklet features a brand new design as front cover, a full UK discography with many of the band’s front covers and lyrics of the band’s singles.
Appearing on CD for the first time in the UK: 1. I Ran (So Far Away) (U.S. 7″ Version) // Space Age Love Song (7″ Version) // Nightmares (7″ Version) 2. Transfer Affection (7″ Version) // I Ran (So Far Away) (Live) // (It’s Not Me) Talking (7″ Version) 3. The Traveller (Live) // Wishing (If I Had A Photograph Of You) (U.S. Edit 12″ Promo Version) 4. The Flight Of Yuri Gagarin (Full Length Version) // Rosenmontag (Long Version) // I Ran (So Far Away) (Edited Version) 5. Never Again (The Dancer) (Re-Mix) // Space Age Love Song (Live) // Who’s That Girl (She’s Got It) (Instrumental) 6. Single Medley