i am not exactly sure why but i cant stop listening to the new album by prefab sprout (or just paddy mcaloon as it really is just him on the album)...due to paddys hearing problems during the last decade..he is unable to work alongside other musicians anymore..which explains the one man band scenario with this album and the demo like quality of some of the tracks..but what shines through is the quality of paddy mcaloons songwriting...it is the best album i have heard in a long long time..."billy" is the best thing he has ever recorded imo...a joyous uplifting song that i cant stop singing.. "the best jewel thief in the world" is the first single and another wonderful track that bounces along and is getting plenty of airplay in the uk.."adolescence" is just a shimmering floating track about growing up and is wonderful.

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the album is full of beautiful songs and melodies and lyrics that read like poems. i rate this album as almost as good as his 1985 classic "steve mcqueen" or "two wheels good" as it was called in america..paddy is a rare talent and we are lucky to still have him making music.

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I agree! It's the best Sprout album since Jordan the Comeback...it really is amazing, considering all of Paddy's health issues--- and, as you mentioned, the inability to work with live musicians, etc....but anyway, it's inspiring to see that his songwriting hasn't slowed down at all....

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[Edited 10/10/13 14:02pm]

I agree with every word of both of you. Actually, I listened to the album on Youtube one afternoon in July and I hadn't listened to it again until yesterday, when I received the CD and the vinyl... And man, what an experience. Frankly, although I'm a huge Prefab fan, I didn't expect something as great as this, especially considering these are not tunes from his "classic" era, but much more recent songs...

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Blackbob, interesting that you consider "Billy" the best thing he's done. I'd almost say the same. You know, when I first listened to the album back in July, I thought "The Best Jewel Thief" was the best song, but now I would choose "Billy". What an addictive song, you really can't take it out of your head! And I love the lyrics, another song about the love of music, like "Music Is a Princess" and others... The image of the boy finding the trumpet in the snow... Beautiful...

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I could go on and on, but hey, let's just say that one could happily live inside this album forever and ever...

You've inspired me to check this out - I have Steve McQueen, Jordan and Andromeda Heights...so it seems like I shouldn't let this one pass.

I'm sure I saw Prefab Sprout at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow back in '99 it must have been - great show they put on.

At least half of LCTWWM was great ( the other half was "just" good) IMO, I can't wait I would be glad just to shake Paddy's hand and thank him, just like I did with Neil Finn some years ago.

jn2 said:

At least half of LCTWWM was great ( the other half was "just" good) IMO, I can't wait I would be glad just to shake Paddy's hand and thank him, just like I did with Neil Finn some years ago.

thats how i feel..would love to meet paddy and just shake his hand and thank him for all his wonderful music..the guy is a true one off

[Edited 10/13/13 5:04am]