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Following singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon’s illnesses and reluctance to release anything from his ever-growing stockpile of songs, further Prefab Sprout albums were unexpected after 2001’s The Gunman and Other Stories. So nothing less than a cattle prod must have provoked this release, the intended follow-up to 1990’s Jordan: The Comeback, and what a treat it is.
For an album that was intended to be recorded over the summer of 1993, this has been a long time coming, so perhaps it’s best not to take the title seriously. Few artists talk up unreleased albums as prolifically as McAloon, which is arguably easy to do, but he probably underestimates his unheard oeuvre.
Here, his cynicism filter remains firmly switched off, with the album opening gleefully: the title track alone takes in early house, scratchy funk and gospel, and the hymn-like Ride celebrates returning to better days. Both capture that early 90s positivity, which is surely due for a revival after today’s 80s synthesisers have been powered down.
His thwarted vision, often blamed for not releasing material, is evident here. Never shy of understatement, Earth, The Story So Far (an unreleased concept album in its own right) is an example of Paddy falling short without his band, particularly backing singer Wendy Smith and producer Thomas Dolby, who defined their sound; its elegance never develops beyond a demo. He also sometimes alienates the listener with overly clever arrangements, such as on I Love Music, but with couplets such as “someone from heaven / put you through hell”, his lyrical skills remain as sharp as ever.
In common with other virtuoso songwriters, the songs and themes of this album unfurl with repeated hearing, although overuse of muted trumpet occasionally grates. If the closing song, a piano-led paen to death, is the last we hear from McAloon, then a more romantic last bow is hard to imagine.
Like motorway service stations halving the value of money, long-awaited albums often disappoint and this too feels like a slightly missed opportunity. Importantly however, you can’t imagine anyone else singing it. It’s good to have him back, no matter how temporarily. --Tom Hocknell
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CD Description
Prefab Sprout were formed in 1978 as a four-piece band based in Co. Durham and went on to be arguably one of the most beloved British pop bands of the 80s and 90s. Their biggest top ten album, From Langley Park To Memphis featured Pete Townsend and Stevie Wonder and included their biggest hit, "The King of Rock’n’ Roll". They followed this album with Jordan, The Comeback which was hugely acclaimed and Brit-nominated. After various line up changes, the rest of the band released one album in 2001 and Paddy released a solo album, Trawl The Megahertz in 2003. Singer-songwriter Paddy McAloon is regularly hailed one of the greatest songwriters of his era. Let's Change the World with Music sees the first Prefab Sprout album in 8 years and contains twelve unique tracks.
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Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
I can only echo the comments of the first reviewer. As a long time Sprout fan, news of this release excited me so much. On my first (and now second) listen today, it is everything I hoped it would be. A collection of wonderful melodies and you really do need to read Paddy's sleeve notes to really appreciate what he was trying to achieve with this record. It may be over sentimental of me to say it, but hearing Paddy sing for me is a spiritual experience. He sings of simple things but with such emotion and clarity. Seeing them live about 5 years ago was one of my gigging highlights. I urge you to buy this album and enjoy the rich experience it will bring to your life.
12 of 12 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
You almost feel like they owe you something, the artists you love. A way with a melody, a turn of lyric, and you're hooked .... how dare they stop your supply! "I'll grow a long and silver beard, and duty will not track me down" ... It is heartening to see Paddy out again, even doing interviews; the album at 20 in the charts. We had assumed that was it - dare we hope for another trip into the studio, with the gang in tow?
I chanced upon Prefab Sprout following Jordan's release and I doubt I will love an album quite so much. I trawled the back catalogue, caught those new releases when they came, but every one felt like the end. And so it is again. If only ... If only this had come out, Dolby-produced, Conti-driven and Wendy-adorned, when my little girl was 3. My little girl now off to medical school (and named after another artist with a variable work ethic, Kate Bush!). The Beatles famously churned out Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt Pepper in the course of 18 months ....
Do I sound ungrateful? Don't get me wrong: MacAloon's polished-up demos knock spots off ... pretty much anything going on these days. In themselves they give a fascinating insight into the MacAloon working method, but they are fully-realised pieces, and collectively they form, even as they stand, the Sprouts' second-best album, a more worthy follow-up to Jordan than the shimmering beauties of Andromeda Heights. It really is that good. For what we receive, may the Lord make us truly grateful! XTC are quiet, Steely Dan and Joni past their best - I'm still an avid consumer of music, and there are gems aplenty out there, but music of this quality is like hen's teeth. It is all you would expect - melodic, intelligent, soulful, barking. Paddy's love of music mirrors our own; he's a fan too.
I chanced upon Prefab Sprout following Jordan's release and I doubt I will love an album quite so much. I trawled the back catalogue, caught those new releases when they came, but every one felt like the end. And so it is again. If only ... If only this had come out, Dolby-produced, Conti-driven and Wendy-adorned, when my little girl was 3. My little girl now off to medical school (and named after another artist with a variable work ethic, Kate Bush!). The Beatles famously churned out Rubber Soul, Revolver and Sgt Pepper in the course of 18 months ....
Do I sound ungrateful? Don't get me wrong: MacAloon's polished-up demos knock spots off ... pretty much anything going on these days. In themselves they give a fascinating insight into the MacAloon working method, but they are fully-realised pieces, and collectively they form, even as they stand, the Sprouts' second-best album, a more worthy follow-up to Jordan than the shimmering beauties of Andromeda Heights. It really is that good. For what we receive, may the Lord make us truly grateful! XTC are quiet, Steely Dan and Joni past their best - I'm still an avid consumer of music, and there are gems aplenty out there, but music of this quality is like hen's teeth. It is all you would expect - melodic, intelligent, soulful, barking. Paddy's love of music mirrors our own; he's a fan too.
55 of 58 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
Having already written a positive review of this glowing album on its mp3 page here on Amazon, of course I need to review the actual CD album! Mp3s are okay, but nothing beats the real McCoy of a proper CD with music in high resolution!
Prefab Sprout's legendary album "Let's Change the World With Music" was first written and recorded in demo form back in 1992-93, but only now released and tweaked with modern technology which enhances the original demos. But fear not: this album is a real winner. It delivers everything you come to expect from a Prefab Sprout album: beautiful melodies, intricate lyrics, honest and deviously simple pop songs, that only Paddy McAloon can offer. Songs like "Let There Be Music", "Ride", "Music Is A Princess", "Earth: The Story So Far" and "Sweet Gospel Music" will eat your heart out. Indeed, it's a shame that this gem has been kept hidden from the public for 17 years!
This is simply pure pop in its finest incarnation. Paddy McAloon is one of the best writers in his chosen field - if not the best. Michael Jackson may have called himself the "king of pop"; but Paddy McAloon is the uncrowned Master of Pop. Let's hope that this release will mark the beginning of many a fine new album from the prolific writer in Newcastle, who has hundreds of unreleased and unrecorded songs in his studio!
The CD album includes poignant liner notes by Paddy McAloon himself, detailing the history of the record.
Prefab Sprout's legendary album "Let's Change the World With Music" was first written and recorded in demo form back in 1992-93, but only now released and tweaked with modern technology which enhances the original demos. But fear not: this album is a real winner. It delivers everything you come to expect from a Prefab Sprout album: beautiful melodies, intricate lyrics, honest and deviously simple pop songs, that only Paddy McAloon can offer. Songs like "Let There Be Music", "Ride", "Music Is A Princess", "Earth: The Story So Far" and "Sweet Gospel Music" will eat your heart out. Indeed, it's a shame that this gem has been kept hidden from the public for 17 years!
This is simply pure pop in its finest incarnation. Paddy McAloon is one of the best writers in his chosen field - if not the best. Michael Jackson may have called himself the "king of pop"; but Paddy McAloon is the uncrowned Master of Pop. Let's hope that this release will mark the beginning of many a fine new album from the prolific writer in Newcastle, who has hundreds of unreleased and unrecorded songs in his studio!
The CD album includes poignant liner notes by Paddy McAloon himself, detailing the history of the record.
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Most Recent Customer Reviews
Disappointed in demos
I'm a big fan of the Sprout and Paddy (up until he became all too happy twinkly later on...), but this album on first/2nd/3rd listen is a real disappointment. Read more
Published 3 months ago by E. Hoskin
Utter brilliance
Like several others who have posted reviews, this is a record I can't stop thinking about or listening to. Superlative stuff from Mr McAloon, I so look forward to the next record. Read more
Published 6 months ago by Mr. Benjamin Ward
Brilliant Sprouts!
Been a while coming but well worth the wait! Was a massive fan back at uni,loved the early stuff but still think they are turning out great music. Read more
Published 9 months ago by SWB88LR
saccharin overload
Oh dear....These sickly sweet songs should have remained forever hidden in that huge cardboard box of unreleased material that Paddy McAloon keeps under lock and key. Read more
Published 14 months ago by mancheeros
Paddy McAllon is a genius
I discovered Prefab Sprout fairly recently. To me Paddy McAloon is probably one of the most underrated song writers in the world, he's absolutely fabulous. Read more
Published 15 months ago by B. Ledwig
Disappointed
I'm very surprised by the good reviews people are leaving on here. I'm a big (huge) Prefab Sprout fan but I found this album incredibly disappointing. Read more
Published 16 months ago by Mr. Robert Stannard
This won't get any better!
How come this album got lost somewhere between the artist and the record company? What a shame -- what a pity. And what joy that it has now "come up the surface" in all its grace. Read more
Published 18 months ago by Ove Noerhave
The best of Prefab Sprout!
I've enjoyed listening to Paddy McAloon and Prefab Sprout's music over the years. They've always been one of my favourite bands but even I was gob-smacked at how good this... Read more
Published 20 months ago by John Paul O'D
True music at its best
Another fantastic album by Prefab Sprout. All we need now is for them to tour the United Kingdom.
Published 22 months ago by vidall
Superlative!
I was mildly disappointed with `Gunman' (despite some genuinely excellent songs), so awaited this album with a slight sense of foreboding........and fell in love with it overnight. Read more
Published on 20 Mar 2010 by Mr. Daniel Gilson
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