I Could Be Happy: The Best of Altered Images: Altered Images: Amazon.co.uk: Music

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Track Listings

1. Happy Birthday

2. Real Toys

3. Love and Kisses

4. Beckoning Strings

5. Leave Me Alone

6. Dead Pop Stars

7. Sentimental

8. I Could Be Happy

9. See Those Eyes

10. Pinky Blue

11. Funny Funny Me

12. Forgotten

13. Bring Me Closer

14. Love to Stay

15. Don't Talk to Me About Love

16. Thinking About You

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5.0 out of 5 stars The most distinctive and unique band of New Wave, 23 Sep 2006

By	Scott Davies - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: I Could Be Happy: The Best of Altered Images (Audio CD)

It's funny that back in the early 90's, I daydreamed about when/if the Altered Images catalog would be put to CD. Over a decade later, all three studio albums have made more than one appearance on CD, and a total of four compilation CD's have been issued. This is definitely the best of the four compilation CD's, at least as far as sound quality goes.

I first heard/saw Altered Images on MTV back in 1982. Being 12 years old at the time, I was entranced with the whole New Wave movement, yet Altered Images were nothing more than a joke to me back then. I blame it on self consciousness, as I figured everyone would point and laugh at me for liking the crazy lady jumping around like a loon in the colorfully zany video for "I Could Be Happy" - an often played video back in those days.

In 1987, I began going on a quest to rediscover all of those MTV regulars that I did not allow myself to purchase back in the day - artists such as Lene Lovich, Pete Shelley, and of course Altered Images. That's when my nostalgia trip started, and I've never stopped.

Altered Images are best remembered for their upbeat, colorful music and image - and while some recall that fondly, others were afraid to embrace the carefree craziness of lead singer Clare Grogan. Her personality permeated though the music, videos and band interviews of the time. It was a perfect escape from daily normalcy. What many people didn't know was the band came from a Post-Punk background, having released a couple of singles and a full-length album of stark music that was light on production; although, in three short years the band would jump from style to style, trying to find something that satisfied everyone.

Altered Images were originally haled with credibility, primarily due to their early association with Siouxsie and the Banshees. Steven Severin of the Banshees produced their early singles and most of the debut album, 'Happy Birthday', with mixed results. The music was minimal on Clare's distinctive character, though was successful in its own way.
After the release of the hit single "Happy Birthday", which was produced by Martin Rushent, the band had found their sound. Rushent produced the classic album 'Pinky Blue', showcasing the band in the best possible way. Clare was allowed to shine with her naturally charming insanity, and the band played equally engaging music to suit it. It seemed to be the perfect match. The problem was the critics bashed the band for selling out, which devastated Clare. They were relentless, and I even recall Clare in an interview stating she cried for hours after the list of negative reviews for 'Pinky Blue' kept growing and growing. How sad that a young girl of barely 20 could not be given credit for being a colorful and individual character.
Unfortunately, the wound ran deep and the band did a dramatic shift in sound for their third and final album, 'Bite'. Of the eight original songs on that album, the production credits were split between two big name producers, Mike Chapman and Tony Visconti. It was clear the band felt the need to grow up, and I can only assume that's what led to the departure of two original members. Gone were the bouncy songs about virtually nothing, being replaced by adult situations of love and loss. Gone were Clare's crazy bows and ribbons, replaced with fashionable clothes and loads of make up. Even the videos and TV performances were fairly middle-of-the-road, though thankfully the crazy Clare we know and love would still come though on the interviews.
'Bite' received a mixed reaction, though apparently not as bad as 'Pinky Blue'. While some of the critics approved of the new image, some of the fan base was lost due to the dramatic style change. I admit to being slow to warm to it, but have managed to find a number of great songs on 'Bite'.
With each single released from 'Bite', their chart placing was lower and lower - to the point the final single, "Change of Heart", sadly not included here, did not chart at all. Altered Images split soon after.

'I Could Be Happy - The Best of Altered Images' brings together a good cross section of material from all three albums, as well as their excellent debut single "Dead Pop Stars". It's a great introduction to the band, and will hopefully encourage some to purchase the full albums.

While the New Wave movement spawned loads of talented, though many short lived artists with extreme individuality, none are quite as distinctive as Altered Images. There was never a band that sounded like them, and never will again. It was an amazing moment in time that has left an eternal mark.

The sound quality on the CD is excellent. All songs have been taken from the original master tapes, and couldn't sound better. The only thing that irritates is after the final song on the CD, there is a lengthy bit of silence... then comes "Happy New Year". This was a little holiday greeting Clare offered to readers of the Flexipop magazine. Each issue of Flexipop came with a junky little flexidisc, many times with rare songs or versions not available elsewhere. While it's a cute little novelty, the click, pops and rumble of the flexidisc are not a pleasant way to end the listening experience.

The most recent of the Altered Images compilation CD's is titled 'Destiny - The Hits'. In addition to a so-so selection of songs, there are two brand new songs. If you want to hear how Clare sounds in recent times, you may want to purchase that CD. I will say that Clare sounds EXACTLY the same, which makes it that much more heartbreaking that the band did not continue. There could have been so many other great albums over the years.

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	54% buy Happy Birthday: The Best of Altered Images 4.7 out of 5 stars (3) �4.98
	17% buy Pinky Blue 5.0 out of 5 stars (1) �4.98
	16% buy Happy Birthday: Plus 4.0 out of 5 stars (1) �4.98
	13% buy Bite 4.0 out of 5 stars (3) �4.98


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I Could Be Happy: The Best of Altered Images

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