I've Got a Picture Here on My Wall4 Out Of 5 Stars
Coming from the New Romantic movement that also pushed Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet into the pop charts, the Thompson Twins started life as an anarchist-pop band (once numbering up to 8 members and often inviting the audience onstage to play instruments). While this all-in approach made for good press and cult status, it didn't do much by way of selling albums. It was only when leader Tom Bailey shed most of the group, kept Joe Leeway and brought on girlfriend Allannah Currie did the Thompson Twins, now a trio, began to gel.
The UK caught on first, as the synth-pop dance hit "In The Name Of Love" became a hot and made waves in US clubs. The LP of ("Quick Step and) Side Kicks" also contained the single "Lies." Both were good singles, but were pretty much indistinguishable from most of the new wave of the time. The CD must have been held in high esteem by the band, as 5 songs from it appear here. But they got better fast and "Into The Gap" featured better songs and tighter arrangements. Bailey took the lead as a soulful singer, and "Hold Me Now" became the Twins' first international smash. "Into The Gap" was a watershed for Thompson Twins, as the dance single "Doctor Doctor," the Middle eastern vibe of the title song and the dramatically uplifting "You Bring Me Up" all became hits. Of 16 songs on this CD, 5 are from "In The Gap."
The Twins wasted no time on the follow-up, "Here's To Future Days." The powerful "Lay Your Hands On Me" and the fun "King for a Day" both cracked the top ten, and gospel inspired "Lay Your Hands On Me" could be "Hold Me Now's" equal as the Twins' best single. These were also co-produced by long-time collaborator, the late Alex Sadkin, Bailey, and the then super hot producer Nile Rogers. Critics were also beginning to take notice, as Bailey began to spread his duties around. Three singles from "Future Dream" make it to this CD.
The Thompson Twins began to expand their reach, with the title song to the Tom Hanks/Jackie Gleason dud "Nothing In Common" took the band outside their comfort zone. Bailey also began writing and producing for others, notably writing "I Want That Man" for Debbie Harry. However, the group wasn't changing their sound all that much and the next LP, "Close To The Bone" found Leeway out and only landing "Get That Love" into the top 40. The other song to represent the disc, "Long Goodbye," frankly, sounded tired. They did record two more albums for Warner Brothers to little or no notice.
The Thompson Twins' "Greatest Hits" is a pretty cool reminder of what just a couple of poppy art students could do with a few synths and decent melodies. Stack it with your Thomas Dolby, ABC and Howard Jones best of CDs.
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