Search - Altered Images :: I Could Be Happy: Best of Altered Images

Effective collection of UK 80's New Wave group

Daniel J. Hamlow | Narita, Japan | 01/21/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The early 1980's was the period of New Wave, when the punk explosion had imploded. Light-hearted synths and poppier rhythms prevailed on both sides of the Atlantic. In the UK, famed disk jockey Jim Peel and Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist Steve Severin helped a Glaswegian group Altered Images, fronted by actress Claire Grogan.Their best known song, "Happy Birthday", was the title track of their debut album, and characterizes the infectious cheer of their song, with Grogan's cute-girl voice, a cross between Jane Wiedlin and a less squeaky Dale Bozzio, the bouncy guitar and drums. This peaked at #2 in the UK."Real Toys" and "Love And Kisses" has shades of a poppier Banshees sound, not surprising as they were produced by Severin. Their debut single, "Dead Pop Stars", was an unsuccessful indie single produced by Severin, and has a harder edged guitar and a more punk sound with some eerie undertones and some wry commentary: "dead pop stars rotting in the studio/pretty bodies make little girls scream" and "I am the poster on your wall." A standout. It's B-side, "Sentimental" sounds like a Missing Persons song with light punk guitars."I Could Be Happy" signalled a more happier power pop that characterized their Pinky Blue album, which received quite a drubbing among UK critics. "See Those Eyes" was another one of their big hits, with Clare and company sounding more like Missing Persons than a pop-like Banshees. "Funny Funny Me"Their happy power pop style was being eclipsed by the time R.E.M. became the new thing with Chronic Town. "Bring Me Closer" from their last album Bite incorporated 70's disco synths, and saw them bringing in producers Tony Visconti and Mike Chapman, which may be the reason why "Love To Stay" sounded like a Blondie song reject. Another catchy 70's disco-type song, with Bananarama-type harmony backing vocalists, is their last UK Top Ten hit, "Don't Talk To Me About Love." The sax ballad "Thinking About You" really shows their transition to a more conventional sound.Fans of Red Dwarf will be familiar with lead singer Clare Grogan, who as C.P. Grogan starred in the British sci-fi sitcom as Kristine Kochanski. And guitarist Johnny McElhone later joined the groups Hipsway and Texas.Maybe because Altered Images didn't make that big a splash in the US they aren't that well remembered here. Nevertheless, it has to be said that they did create a brief blip in the punk/New Wave era."

Happy to have found this cd!

Vern Yip Fan | Illinois United States | 02/20/2002

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Wow, I remember listening to Altered Image's albums Happy Birthday, Pinky Blue, & Bite when I was in my teens.......Ah, those were the days. Clair Grogan's voice, child-like & sweet one minute, taunting & menacing the next. this group was so overlooked & underrated, too bad... Anyway buy this cd and relive some sweet memories."