The packaging of this sumptuous re-release is superb, although, as another reviewer has noted, the quality of the photos from the original vinyl booklet is very disappointing; I could always read the text above the hotel door where the Ace Face is standing; now, in 2011 with all the technology we have at our fingertips, it can hardly be made out! This is a serious fault in a top-of-the-range item such as this one!
The book is, however, excellent with lots of insight into the recording process for us types who like to know about the nuts and bolts; as remarked by another reviewer, it would have been nice to hear from Roger, but this re-release is definitely Pete's baby… Read more
After the sublime Runaway Horses and its excellent follow-up, Live Your Life Be Free, it was always going to be difficult to deliver another album as polished and popular as they were. So Belinda made a conscious decision to change tack and gave us a different kind of record; at first hearing it may have seemed disappointing, but like all great albums, with repeated listens it begins to give up its riches. There are some songs which appeal immediately, such as the opener Goodbye Day, and first single Big Scary Animal, but there are plenty of slow burners which gradually find their place in your head, such as the brilliant Lay Down Your Arms and One With You.
I remember hearing Heaven On Earth in 1988 and being impressed but not enough to admit it; at the time I was (and still am) into psychedelic guitar bands like The Church, The Chameleons and The Screaming Blue Messiahs, and to admit liking a pop album from an artist like Belinda would have been a step too far!
Belinda's version of I Feel Free got my interest and years later (2011!) I saw the album in a cut-price store and bought it. After one play I was blown away by how good it was and resolved to get more - Runaway Horses was next on my list.
When it arrived I played it and at first was disappointed - I didn't think it was as strong as HoE but I perservered and… Read more
