Search - General Public :: Hand to Mouth

Overlooked gem--really something remarkable, don't miss!

Mig P. | Sunnycupertoga, CA USA | 03/03/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This one was never a huge success commercially. Why? I have no idea, because this album is simply brilliant. Even more evolved than GP's first album (_All the Rage_), yet still just as catchy, and still sounds great today. As with their first album, the lyrics are wickedly clever, and come at you from within songs that are at once both musically complex and sing-along catchy. The complexity is evidenced in the striking horn arrangements sprinkled throughout the entire album-- the way the horns interact with the vocals is evidence that there was a lot of talent and thought behind the songwriting. This version of the cd (which I thought was out of print? ) comes with EIGHT bonus tracks-- including an obscure one that alone is worth the price of the whole CD: "Taking the Day Off", a bouncy gem that conks you over the head with fun and isn't otherwise available, aside from being heard in the background in "Ferris Bueller" (in the Cameron Swimming Pool scene, I think). So don't miss this album!"

Hand to Mouth , Music to Ears

Armando M. Mesa | Chandler, AZ | 07/21/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Hand To Mouth is an outstanding example how well written, performed pop music from the mid-eighties should've sounded like. Forget about the over produced, heavily synthesized Euro schlock. This is the real fun stuff. At times some of the tracks had almost a retro feel or throwback to the music styles of the 50's and 60's. Love Without The Fun resonates with the 50's drive-in, soda pop sound while Come Again has a 60's (almost Burt Bacharach feel with early Motown undertones) sugar coated infectious groove. The reggae cloaked Forward As One is a special throwback to General Public's days with their old group English Beat. The last track, Cry On Your Own Shoulder is a smooth and suave r&b/dance track which closely resembles something witten or performed by ABC off the Lexicon of Love album. My consensus on General Public's Hand To Mouth is that of other reviewers; It was an underrated and underpromoted project that could've soared back then !"

A Little Balance and Perspective please - . . . ALL THE RAGE

Rich Latta | Albuquerque, NM - Land of Entitlement | 08/13/2005

(3 out of 5 stars)

"So even though RAGE is currently rated lower, that's the one to get. It's a classic 80's party album that's also much more than just a party album. HAND TO MOUTH is more for committed fans. I do especially like "In Conversation" and "Come Again!" is a plea for Jesus Christ's return as well as a very fun, upbeat song. I no longer subscribe to Christianity, but I can still appreciate the tune."