2004 reissue of the Scottish new wavers' 1983 album produced by Tony Visconti, features 14 tracks including 6 bonus tracks, 'Surprise Me', 'I Don't Want To Know', 'Last Goodbye', 'Bring Me Closer' (Dance Mix), 'Don't Ta... more »lk To Me About Love' (Extended Version), & 'Love To Stay' (Dance Mix). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive updated liner notes & photos. Edsel.« less
2004 reissue of the Scottish new wavers' 1983 album produced by Tony Visconti, features 14 tracks including 6 bonus tracks, 'Surprise Me', 'I Don't Want To Know', 'Last Goodbye', 'Bring Me Closer' (Dance Mix), 'Don't Talk To Me About Love' (Extended Version), & 'Love To Stay' (Dance Mix). Includes 12-page booklet with extensive updated liner notes & photos. Edsel.
CD Reviews
The crown jewel of the Altered Images legacy
Phil (San Diego, CA) | San Diego, CA | 07/10/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I had been waiting for this perfect gem, checking the "Altered Images" section at the shops for years, hoping for its reissue on CD. "Bite" was a smooth, succulent pop album with nary a misstep when it came out twenty years ago and it sounds even better today. Unlike many eighties albums that sound embarrassingly dated, "Bite" proudly retains a timeless sound. Song for song, "Bite" was as good or better than any pop album released that year or this.Its lead single, "Don't Talk To Me About Love" is simply one of the best pop 45s ever released. It's good to have its 12" on CD here as well - both A and B side. The dance mixes for singles "Love To Stay" and "Bring Me Closer" are also welcome bonus tracks. The addition of the b-side "Surprise Me" lends a slight flavor of the "Pinky Blue" album to the proceedings, and that's a happy bonus too. The enclosed booklet includes original album artwork and gives a nice history of Altered Images circa "Bite". The only thing that might have made this reissue "perfect-er" would have been the inclusion of the band's cover of "Little Town Flirt". If only we had Clare Grogan and Altered Images now!"
Once Bitten
V. Grindstaff | Atlanta, GA USA | 04/09/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It is a shame that Altered Images is so rarely remembered, and when they are, its usually for the quirky but fun song Happy Birthday. The band's music matured to fruition on their third release Bite.
The cd sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released. The rich layered production pervades each enchanting song, from the cha cha beat of Love to Stay to the haunting Now That You're Here. Don't Talk To Me About Love, the album's first single, reaches a pinnacle of true artistic expression, as heart wrenching as it is lovely. Claire Grogan's voice never sounded so luxuriously polished as it does on this collection of songs.
Sadly, this, the band's last musical effort, left fans wanting more. These years later, we finally get more with the bonus extend tracks and unreleased material. Don't miss this opportunity to hear one of the most underappreciated bands of the 1980's, if not of all time."
Pop confections galore
FLK6677 | IL, United States | 10/31/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"It's a shame that Altered Images has somehow slipped through the cracks as one of the most original, fun, sonically and visually most interesting pop bands ever (back when pop didn't mean talentless and unoriginal). Sure, they dabbled in Siouxsie-esque goth rock early on, but at their core, they were always a highly melodic, quirky pop band. This is apparent on their first two albums, "Happy Birthday" and "Pinky Blue."
With "Bite," the band underwent a makeover in image, sound and lineup, and fortunately, the new formula worked just as well.
This is polished, melody-driven 80's pop, much sleeker and more restrained than what the band had previously produced. Clare Grogan's vocals are not quite as giddy and chirpy, and the production, much of which was done by Mike Chapman, makes the songs shine.
The lead single, "Don't Talk to Me About Love," is simply one of the most beautifully arranged and performed pop songs ever. "Bring Me Closer" is a fun disco-dance number. "Another Lost Look" and "Love to Stay" are sweet, dreamy pop gems, while "Change of Heart" channels Blondie when Blondie was channeling 60's girl group. Actually, the entire album channels Blondie, which is definitely not a bad thing.
There were originally only eight tracks on "Bite," so the bonus material included on this CD is more than welcome. "Surprise Me" is manic bubblegum reminiscent of the material on "Pinky Blue." "Last Goodbye" is more fun pop that's so good you have to wonder why it wasn't originally included. "I Don't Want to Know" is yet another winner that sounds like what might have happened if the Shangri-Las were still making music in 1984.
If you love good, fun pop or new wave music, don't hesitate to pick up this CD. And while you're at it, pick up "Happy Birthday" and "Pinky Blue," and prepare to have some fun."
Another Lost Look...
winkingtiger | Oakland, CA | 09/22/2007
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Although they started out as Siouxsie & the Banshees wannabe's, by this, their third and last album, Altered Images had arrived at a sophisticated yet quirky sound all their own. I think that they got better with every disc, so of course, this is my favorite. It's a romantic, glittering new wave-disco-pop confection, and not to be missed by anyone who likes atmosphere, melody and a good dash of wistfulness...
The only problem with this album is that half of the songs were produced by new wave-pop master Mike Chapman (Blondie, The Knack), and the other half were produced by disco-maniac Tony Visconti (the more disco-y outings by Bowie). So while some elements of the band are consistent from song to song (Clare Grogan's unusual but passionate vocals, Tony McDaid's ultra-clean, faux-African-High-Life guitar parts), the Chapman-produced songs lean towards Altered Images' strength, new wave pop, and Visconti's lead towards their weakness, drum-machine-fueled disco...with some notable exceptions.
Two of the four Visconti-produced tunes are the best tunes on the album, IMO, but I'll save the best for last. First: the Chapman-Produced tunes. All of these are great, from the vocal grandiosity and sweeping rush of "Don't Talk To Me About Love" (which is actually a bit disco-y too, hee-hee), to the incredibly upbeat roller-rink organ of "Change Of Heart," the perfect jangly pop of "Another Lost Look" to the cozy romanticism of "Love To Stay," which features a beautiful horn part. Chapman was a good match for Altered Images, I wonder why he quit halfway through?
Of the Visconti-produced tracks, "Stand So Quiet" almost works, while "Now That You're Here", the weakest track on the album, borders on annoying if you're not in the mood...but those other two tracks...!
The album opener, "Bring Me Closer" is a treat; transcending it's disco qualities into something beautiful and delicious. The contrast of five (!) lush backing vocalists with Clare's unusual lead singing is perfect. This song always transports me, and isn't at all dated sounding...although by rights it should be. The dance mix of this is awesome too!
Then there's the closer, my favorite of all: "Thinking About You." Not only do we have the return of those lush background vocalists, the whole song is given a nice `wall-of-sound' treatment, with strings, a harp, and various other instruments contributing tastefully. This song embodies many of Altered Images' best qualities: clean guitars, wistful lyrics and awesomely beautiful melodies. When Clare sings "I'm in heaven..." at the end (if that's what she's saying!), you'll be there too! ;oD"
Track Listings (14) - Disc #1