TITLE: All Of This and Nothing
ARTIST: The Psychedelic Furs
RELEASE DATE: August 1988
RUNNING TIME: 64 mins. 13 secs.
TRACKS TO DOWNLOAD: Pretty In Pink, Heaven, Heartbreak Beat
THE new wave explosion that followed the short-lived punk movement produced some great bands, and The Psychedelic Furs are a fine example. Releasing their first, self-titled album in 1980, The Furs were firmly part of the left field underbelly of what would come to be called alternative music.
With a wider musical palette than many of the bands formed in 1976 and 77, The Furs looked back to bands such as Lou Reed’s Velvet Underground, whilst also taking inspiration from golden era David Bowie.
Brothers Richard (vocals) and Tim Butler (bass guitar) formed the core of the band, along with lead guitarist John Ashton. Their line-up altered throughout the years, involving various drummers such as Vince Ely, who would also go on to drum with The Cure on the strength of his work with The Furs.
There are at least six ‘best of’ compilations available, but All Of This and Nothing, is probably the best starting point. Even though it was released while the band were still active, its fourteen tracks chart a band in transition from underground new wavers (Sister Europe, Imitation of Christ, Dumb Waiters) all the way to mainstream alternative rock (Love My Way, Heaven, The Ghost In You).
It also includes a track specifically recorded for the release, All That Money Wants, a practice that was new at the time, but is almost a prerequisite nowadays.
There are omissions on this album, such as the epic India, and some of the earlier singles, but it still represents a fairly comprehensive overview of the band. Richard Butler’s raspy, plaintive vocals are a great foil to the spacey, delayed and phasey guitar work, backed up by thundering drums and simple but very effective bass guitar.
Earlier recordings find them in a more guitar heavy line-up with added saxophone at times, while from the breakthrough third album Forever Now onwards, lots of keyboard tracks were incorporated.
* First published in the Evening Mail (Thu.12.Jan.’12)