published: 27 /
3 /
2010
in our 'Re:View' series, in which our writers look back at albums from the past, Fiona Hutchings reflects upon Frankie Goes to Hollywood's 1984 debut album, 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome', which has just been released in a new expanded edition
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Ever since Mike Read got his Marks and Sparks white cotton Y-fronts in a twist over Holly Johnson and co flaunting their black PVC hotpants, Frankie Goes to Hollywood have been mostly labelled as scandalous, filthy, throwaway pop. This guaranteed them chart success, of course, but only the latter accusation is wrong. While undoubtedly in your face Frankie Goes to Hollywood's lack of long term critical success always surprised me. It is not just the out and proud no nonsense stance that marks them out amongst the other early to mid-80's electro pop acts - many of whom were trying out gay flamboyance or androgyny without any real conviction.
Frankie Goes to Hollywood were putting out well crafted songs where the lyrics were as important as the dance beat. 'Relax' pushed the safe sex message at a time when AIDS hysteria was just beginning.'Two Tribes' and its accompanying video was a sharp, satirical and accurate depiction of a world still in the grip of cold war paranoia - is it little wonder we all wanted to retreat to the 'Pleasuredome' for a little R&R? My personal favourite has always been 'The Power of Love' and I can live with its video randomly depicting the nativity because it means this spine tingling ballad is dug out every year without fail and provides me with some sort of defence against that year's novelty crap.
This deluxe edition of their classic album is a joy visually as well as aurally. The iconic sleeve has been expanded into a six panel digipack. It evokes the old days where half the fun of buying an album was discovering the secrets hidden in the sleeve notes and gate fold. As well as the original album this set is bursting with B sides, remixes (most notably Trevor Horn's remix of 'Relax' that comes in a second under 17 minutes long) as well as previously unheard studio demos and one completely new never heard before track from the end of the 'Welcome to the Pleasuredome' era, the 'typically' named 'Watusi Love Juicy'.
The inside cover proclaims "Since pleasure is the unique to reveal pleasure is itself a unique duty" and it is a duty that you should feel obliged to shoulder.
Track Listing:-
Picture Gallery:-
