Cooking Vinyl | UK | CD | 2020
Psychedelic Furs: Made Of Rain UK CD [2020]
- The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll
- Don’t Believe
- You’ll Be Mine
- Wrong Train
- This’ll Never Be Like Love
- Ash Wednesday
- Come All Ye Faithful
- No-One
- Tiny Hands
- Hide The Medicine
- Turn Your Back On Me
- Stars
Gloryoski! I could have become a grandfather in the 29 years that The Psychedelic Furs passed between their final contiguous album, 1991’s “World Outside” and the upcoming “Made Of Rain,” due out on Cooking Vinyl on May 1st. Truth be told, the last Psychedelic Furs album I heard was the disappointing “Midnight To Midnight.” Not a fave. I don’t think I ever heard “Book of Days” or “World Outside.” I heard a little of
Love Spit Love” and thought they were interesting, but never took the bait. Then that party ended and the hiatus years began. When The Psychedelic Furs re-grouped as a touring entity in 2000 I thought that they might have a new recording coming our way soon.
Was I wrong there.
I managed to see the Furs on their “Talk Talk Talk” tour where they played their classic second album en toto back in the early days of the blog in 2011. It was a fantastic show; miles better than the earlier 1987 experience I previously had under my belt, but by that point the band had been reactivated as a nostalgia entity with seemingly no desire to add to their legacy, so nearly a decade after that, I am flabbergasted that they are finally making that move. The pre-release single of “Don’t Believe” on sampling sounded fantastic. Dark, complex, and redolent of the “beautiful chaos” that the first two albums had in spades but were thinner on the ground as the band developed. I loved how the rhythms were almost contrary in their evasiveness. It sounded like music that was not stupid, so I’m in.
The Furs’ store has the normal modern series of bundles with the cassette [of course!] version the low end at $9.99, with a sensible $13.99 CD, and various vinyl/T-shirt bundles for those who want more. Black and splatter vinyl, as if we couldn’t see that one coming. But I’m genuinely interested in whatever the band have to say this far along. The two decades of touring have made them tighter than they ever were in the 80s, even as the Butler Brothers were the only members of the original lineup but with long-standing members like Mars Williams [sax since “Mirror Moves”] and the rest of their touring band having spent a two odecades on the road with them this century, it can be argued that the current lineup has long outlasted the initial one. Additionally, the lack of the dramas of youth have probably benefitted the band as much as anything in staying together as long as they have in their second phase.
The band will be playing a one-off gig at The Royal Albert Hall on Thursday, May 14, 2020 where they will debut the album in its entirety. Complete with support by Jah Wobble + The Invaders Of The Heart, so that’s a coin with no tails right there. Then they will be returning to the American Southeast and Southwest for dates this spring on the first leg of what will probably be an extensive tour.
The Psychedelic Furs | US 2020 Tour | 1st Leg
Mon Apr 13, 2020 | KEY WEST, FL | Key West Theater
Tue Apr 14, 2020 | FT. LAUDERDALE, FL | Revolution Live
Wed Apr 15, 2020 | CLEARWATER, FL | Bilheimer Capitol Theatre
Fri Apr 17, 2020 | ORLANDO, FL | Hard Rock Hotel at Universal Orlando
Sat Apr 18, 2020 | FORT PIERCE, FL | Sunrise Theatre
Sun Apr 19, 2020 | PONTE VEDRA BEACH, FL | Ponte Vedra Concert Hall
Tue Apr 21, 2020 | NEW ORLEANS, LA | Tipitina’s
Wed Apr 22, 2020 | HOUSTON, TX | House Of Blues
Fri Apr 24, 2020 | SAN ANTONIO, TX | Paper Tiger
Sat Apr 25, 2020 | AUSTIN, TX | Emo’s
Sun Apr 26, 2020 | DALLAS, TX | Granada Theater
Tue Apr 28, 2020 | TUCSON, AZ | Rialto Theatre
Thu Apr 30, 2020 | SCOTTSDALE, AZ | Showroom at Talking Stick Resort
Nothing near me this time, but I can see friends in Florida will have their chances this spring. Any fans into a pre-order bundle will find the link below. I’m genuinely interested in hearing their new album and after having seen them in 2011, am looking forward to [finally] hearing that band on disc.
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Post-Punk Monk 
Not too long ago, I would have scoffed at a new Furs album, until a friend of mine dragged me to go see them in some crummy Santa Fe bar in 2012. To my extremely pleasant surprise, they sounded great — almost at the top of their game. It must have been all that touring you referenced of which I was completely unaware until I saw them.
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desertcurmudgeon – Yeah, P-Furs live in the last 20 years have been so on that I was kind of shocked that they had not wandered into a studio earlier, but as long as it lives up to their live act these days, I imagine that we’ll be very satisfied with the new album.
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I pre-ordered the vinyl and CD the day they announced it! I can’t wait to hear the full album! The Furs have been nothing short of fantastic each time they’ve played NYC over the past several years (no two shows the same, btw–so, I’ve heard a wide swath of their catalogue live recently). You should give “World Outside” a listen; the songs are top notch and producer Stephen Street gave them just enough early ’90s “alternative” edge that they even scored some modern rock hits (“Don’t Be a Girl” and “Until She Comes”).
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Steve Shafer – Yeah, I probably recognize those titles from 120 Minutes, which was still happening for me at that time. I probably have videos in my ßeta stash somewhere. The Furs played Asheville twice in a year. But I was out of town the second time.
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Have to agree, World Outside showed a great deal of effort at remaining relevant. Street gave them a chance to explore their inner jangle and they acquit themselves in a very admirable way. Don’t Be A Girl feels like it could have been on Mirror Moves but is updated with a bit of Madchester drum beat.
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I’ve seen the Psychedelic Furs 9 times to date, April in Clearwater, FL will be # 10. I’ve never seen a bad show and I’ve seen a few, like July ’81 at The Ritz in NYC, that remain among the most memorable shows I have ever scene. That show was July 2, 1981 and it was the Talk Talk Talk Tour. I spent the day on St. Marks Place working as an extra in the Rolling Stone’s Waiting On A Friend video – yeah, another story all together. and then walked up to The Ritz in the evening to meet friends for the show. The Furs were blistering, cocky and ecstatic! 20 years and more than a few more albums and tours later, I saw them co-headline with Echo And The Bunnymen and dig deep, finding a great deal of that same energy. That I am seeing them in 2020 speaks to their viability, with or without a new album. Don’t Believe belies a mature swagger. There are elements of the past, interpreted to sound fresh and current. It’s a big music sound that belies the care taken to make it. The swirling guitars are there, the darkly evocative musical bed, RIchard Butler’s “poetic ennui.” Upon my first hearing, I experienced some of the same intense gratification I found in my first listen to Simple Minds’ 2018 release Walk Between Worlds.
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Virus allowing I shall be at the Royal Albert Hall gig.
Like Echorich I must have seen them maybe ten times, once as Love Spit Love.
The last time, Cardiff in 2018, was one of the best, right down the front totally drawn in and pretty much blown away.
I even have time for Midnight to Midnight…
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SimonH – I remember when PFurs manifested over in The States in 1980. They were a big thing to me. I immediately bought the album after hearing a few cuts on “The Import Hour” where a queasy blend of past-sell-by-date Prog and New Wave graced the Orlando airwaves for an hour a week on one of the FM Rock stations I stopped listening to that year. Hearing “Talk Talk Talk” the next year just really consolidated this band.
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Echorich – Yeah. This new song seems to put their mid-80s stuff in the shade. It’s darker and stronger. Looks like they can hold their heads up for finally having surmounted the trap of legacy touring. I guess it was down to “labels” not forthcoming with advance checks the with their [long] layoff period, so thanks to Cooking Vinyl. Like I’ve said before. From the evidence of performance alone, this band was in fantastic shape.
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I’ve seen the Psych Furs at least dozen or so times, starting in 1983 (with the Divinyls opening) and most recently last summer on a joint tour with Brit band James. They have seriously never not delivered, and Richard Butler’s delightful rasp remains completely intact. Was very excited to hear a new song (The Boy The Invented Rock & Roll) mixed in with the classic goodies at one of their latter shows. If you’ve never heard their final two albums from their first go-round, I quite recommend you checking out House, of off Book Of Days (a fave of mine). I honestly thought the band was to forever coast on former glories, so the new album is anxiously awaited round these parts.
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Taffy – Divinyls? Lucky you! Just when it was the time to see them! My first (eh…) P.Furs show had The Call [insert stinger] opening up! A total worst case scenario.
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and (perhaps) even cooler – Talk Talk was the warmup for the Furs the second time I saw them (summer of 1984). Also saw that tour with The Call, who I seem to recall being bombastic and terrible.
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Ah, Talk Talk….yes! Opening for the Furs at Pier 84 in the summer! In fact, all three of my Talk Talk experiences were outdoor shows and all part of the Dr. Pepper/Miller Music Festival! I did miss the Forest Hills Tennis Stadium show though. That first time seeing Talk Talk, in 82, was a week of amazing nights at Pier 84. It started with 2 nights of Joe Jackson, followed by Elvis Costello and then Talk Talk. The next two nights were The Clash with Kurtis Blow and Gregory Isaacs – one night in the pouring rain.
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I was in NYC the summer of ’82 and went to several Dr Pepper shows at the Pier…including Split Enz (with Duran Duran opening), Haircut 100 (Polyrock opening) and the Clash (Kurtis Blow opening – perhaps the same night you were there, as I know the Clash did more than one night). Saw a bunch of other bands that spring/summer, including Pylon, Squeeze (with A Flock of Seagulls), the Fleshtones, The Rockats, and a “little” concert at Madison Square Garden with Queen and Billy Squier! My god, was that a fun time to be a young person in the big city…(sorry to go off-topic here!)
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Taffy – Oh you Big City Kids with your concert series! Well, we had concert series in Orlando, too!! Rock Superbowls® in the Tangering Bowl all day long. Roasting in the sun [for $30 or more] with Ted Nugent! Bob Seger + The Silver Bullet Band! The Outlaws! More Ted Nugent!! Oh we had fun then!
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House is such a great track, always pleased when they include that in the set.
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I did become a Grandfather in between the times I saw them live. Saw them in 1981 (awesome show) and in 2012. In 1981, My buddies and I were staying at the same hotel as The Furs and talked to them in the lounge before the show. They were watching Gilligan’s Island on the bar TV.
We drove 300 miles to see that show and it was definitely worth it.
In 2012, they played 3 miles from my house. I took my Stepdaughter and my 19 year old Granddaughter to that show. The band was tight.
So yeah , I actually became a Grandfather between releases. I read your statement about being able to have Grandkids between releases as incredibly accurate for me.
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Mel Crighton – See? I’m not just putting words togather for the sound of it [though I do enjoy that sometimes]. Lots of deep, critical thinking goes on here @ PPM [taps cranium]. That, and $6.00, will get me a chai latte! I hope your grandaughter enjoyed the show, but should your grandchildren be enjoying your music? I’m in my mid 50s and it’s not uncommon for me to be far from the oldest person at local shows. Feel free to discuss.
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Well, I can honestly say that I enjoyed the show more than my stepdaughter and granddaughter. I think they went to the concert just to humor an old man. They were pretty amazed that I knew all the lyrics to Talk Talk Talk. I was singing along the whole time. I am hoping at least one of my eight Grandkids would like to own my music collection. I am not going to force it down their throat. They are kids after all, and they are not SUPPOSED to like an old fart’s music.
I used to be a moderator on a Facebook page dedicated to post punk/new wave before I decided to leave Facebook entirely. I was amazed at the number of people that posted on the page were not born when this music was made. None of them realize the amount of effort us old codgers had to make in order to discover this stuff. They did not have NME, Trouser Press, and other music mags that we had to buy and read about this stuff. We also had to buy music unheard based on reviews. Now it is available to them with just a few clicks for free.
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Mel Creighton – Yes, it was a whole different ball game of arcane knowledge lurking deep beneath the shiny surfaces of the Top 40 hits of the day back then. I still prefer reading about an act [possibly for years] before finally letting them in the Monastic Firewall® and sampling online before buying a copy.
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If my memory is correct, I’ve seen the Furs twice during their imperial period — in 1980 at 688 in Atlanta, and then the following year at the Agora — but I can’t remember if it was Atlanta or Tampa’s Agora! I was very enamoured with their style and enjoyed the albums immediately after that (especially Forever Now), but as they got more popular thanks to “Pretty In Pink” I drifted away from them until Love Spit Love rolled around much later.
I eventually picked up the “Should God Forget” comp for cheap and was reminded of how really good they were — and by that time they were touring around again but I never got the right combination of proximity and wealth to go see them during that rejuvenation as a touring unit.
The new single sounds fab and if the rest of the album is as good as that I will eagerly await it and make the effort to see them if they manage to get within stone’s throw of me way up here in the Pacific Northwest.
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chasinvictoria – I bet it was Atlanta’s Agora. In 1981 you lived there or Miami, right? I have tape letters with your mom voice acting in comedy sketches and then there’s that “Penthouse + Pavement” tape with…was it Laura from Miami guesting on it?
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The world may be going to hell, but there’s been some great music this year…this album is so good! And they signed my cd legibly, a bonus:)
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SimonH – Wow! I had forgotten all about that even happening! Everything got reset early this year as we entered limbo.
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Every play of this reveals more detail, it’s shockingly good.
To be a great heritage live act is one thing, but to come back with a record like this is another level entirely. If this album had come out in 83 (it doesn’t sound like an album from 83 of course) it would have been seen as their magnum opus.
At first it’s hard to get past the opening trio of songs because of their impact, but I’m not sure there’s anything that really approaches ‘filler’ status.
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SimonH – You have me aching to hear this now! So little money to spend on music currently, and so many choices of viability buzzing around my skull. And things we haven’t mentioned yet…
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Hope I haven’t oversold it!
They’ve now announced Pauline Murray and the Invisible Girls as tour support for the UK next year! Please let it happen…
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SimonH – No more than the band did live when I saw them ages ago. It seemed perverse that this band wasn’t recording any new music.
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Hi Mr. Monk,
Lots of news here. New interviews, reviews,
and a video for Come all ye faithful. So far,
seems pretty postive. I wrote a review a
few months ago:
https://forums.stevehoffman.tv/threads/psychedelic-furs-made-of-rain-may-2020.926721/page-5#post-24247000
Will be interesting to hear other peoples views.
later
-1
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negative1ne – Thanks for the notes. Waiting to have a little money for music. So many shiny releases. So few shiny coins.
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