Frankie Goes to Hollywood ~ England

Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984)

Such an interesting album really. Frankie Goes to Hollywood were signed by Trevor Horn, on the encouragement of Chris Squire, and features Steve Howe as a guest. One of the great ironies in modern music history, that the epitome band of the dinosaur prog years, was heavily involved in one of the most brazen of the cutting edge 80s UK pop scene. And this isn't the only dichotomy. Often referred to as a "gay band", the two lead singers were just that, and flamboyantly so. Yet the other three were nothing of the sort (laddish and Liam Gallagher's they would be referred to), adding an uncommon tension within the group. Like many bands that sell a gazillion copies of something, most opinions come from those not in the know, and go off on faint memories. In other words, Welcome to the Pleasuredome is a long way from Debbie Gibson and Tiffany.

1984 is the last year one would think of that a megastar pop band would release a 2xLP opus (more ironic Yes overtures no doubt). The album features no less than three #1 singles, the iconic 'Relax', the MTV generation 'Two Tribes', and the ballad 'The Power of Love'. The title track "stalled" at #2 (have to laugh at that, as in my musical world, most albums "stall" at #10,002). There are some unusual cover tracks here that I quite like such as Burt Bacharach's 'San Jose' and Edwin Starr's 'War'. The album's only misstep (IMO of course) is 'Born To Run', but then again I'd rather wait all day in line at the DMV than listen to Springsteen (his "talent" is completely lost on me). There's also some experimental interludes throughout. So yes, it's like a progressive synthpop album. Strange for certain.

From here the band devolved into the usual bickering, and I'm sure the sexual dispositions probably added a bit more drama than usual. For the band's part, most reflect on the past with no regret, stating it was a "3 year party". Good for them.

For those who don't know, the band's name comes from a tabloid newspaper headline that UK singer Frankie Vaughan (not Sinatra) was going to Hollywood. Sort of anti-climatic I guess.

Ownership: 1984 Island / ZTT (2xLP). Gatefold.

ZTT stands for Zang Tumb Tuum, a reference to the sound of a machine gun. This was Trevor Horn's own label.

1993 (first acquired); 2/1/19 (reacquired / review / new entry)