The Soft Boys - Underwater Moonlight

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I have to write about this album as it is without doubt my favourite of all time!  It really helped me get through those grim days of the early 1980s.  The album is only intermittently available, so if it takes your fancy, buy it now!

 Mannequins by Lal Hitchcock adorn the front cover of most versions of this album.  

The original album was released on the short-lived Armageddon label and had 10 tracks.  I have owned 3 vinyl copies and 2 expanded CD editions of the album over the years, as well as 7" singles and the Ryko compilation.  Therefore I will not be buying another copy!  The current release is in a natty cardboard sleeve, but is only a single disc 10-track edition on the Yep Roc label.  Some websites are advertising it as a double CD but it is assuredly not.

I will be hanging onto my double CD 36-track edition on the Matador label, as this seems to be the definitive physical release of the album.  I have read of a few problems with the current issue, so I recommend seeking out the Matador release (which was titled "Underwater Moonlight...And How It Got There") or the earlier, less expanded Glass Fish or Ryko versions.

The status of the group and this album of theirs in particular has grown over the years, from a very small starting point.  The band has re-formed briefly a couple of times and must be seen if you ever get the chance.  That's a slim chance at the moment, though.

What's the music like?  Think of the jangling guitars of the Byrds, the Shadows, the beautiful harmonies of the Beach Boys, the pop psychedelia of the Beatles and Syd Barrett - all with a post-punk production by Pat Collier (ex-Vibrators).  The songs are glorious - the title track, "Queen Of Eyes", "Positive Vibrations", "Insanely Jealous" and the singles "I Wanna Destroy You" and "Kingdom Of Love".  I particularly love Robyn Hitchcock's lyrics to "Insanely Jealous" ("the kiss of skulls") and "I Got The Hots" ("said the curry to the corpse").

Robyn Hitchcok and Kimberley Rew really excel on the twin lead guitars and are ably supported by Matthew Seligman on bass and the amazing Morris Windsor on drums.  The vocal harmonies of Morris and Kimberley are a stunning backdrop to Robyn Hitchcock's dry and deadpan lead vocal.  There is even sitar on "Positive Vibrations" from guest contributor Andy King. 


Remarkably at Amazon's US site you can listen to samples of all 36 tracks from the earlier out of print Matador release here

I hope this isn't the last time we will see physical releases of excellent bonus material like "Where Are The Prawns?", "He's A Reptile" and "Only The Stones Remain".

A vinyl issue is available (and remarkably seems cheaper at some suppliers than the CD version).  I've always felt that the original vinyl copies captured the real beauty and timing of Morris Windsor's drumming rather better than any digital version.  Whichever version you buy, I guarantee you will not be disappointed because this really is a classic album.