The Psychedelic Furs MADE OF RAIN. The Psychedelic Furs Partnership

Richard Butler – Vocals / Tim Butler – Bass / Mars Williams – Saxophone / Paul Garisto Drums / Amanda Kramer – Keyboards / Rich Good – Guitar.

Highly influential post punk musicians, The Psychedelic Furs released their new album, their first in nearly 30 years,  MADE OF RAIN, through Cooking Vinyl.

From its opening bars, MADE OF RAIN – sounds like The Psychedelic Furs and them alone. Their permutations of art, aggression and ambience drive the dynamics, and it’s always been this originality which has set them apart. The album was produced by Richard Fortus, whilst mixing duties were handled by Tim Palmer (David Bowie, U2, Robert Plant).

MADE OF RAIN is on Gatefold double 12” vinyl, CD, cassette and digital download with exclusive and signed items available from the band’s Official Store.

Led by vocalist and lyricist Richard Butler with his brother Tim on bass, The Psychedelic Furs released seven critically acclaimed studio albums – ‘The Psychedelic Furs” (1980), ‘Talk Talk Talk’ (1981),  ‘Forever Now’ (1982), ‘Mirror Moves’ (1984), Midnight To Midnight’ (1987), ‘Book Of Days’ (1989) and ‘World Outside’ (1991). They released many classic singles throughout the ’80’s and into the 90’s, including: ‘Sister Europe,’ ‘Love My Way,’ ‘The Ghost In You,’ ’ Pretty In Pink,’ ‘Heaven,’ ‘Heartbreak Beat,’ ’All That Money Wants’ and ‘Until She Comes.’

Review

Seldom does one hear such a striking and storming record opening as ‘The Boy That Invented Rock & Roll’…Instrumentally and vocally it rocks its socks off with impeccable production that allows you to hear every instrumental and vocal note. ‘Don’t Believe’ with its thrusting Butler vocal, choruses and orchestral moments is a classic Furs tune. ‘You’ll Be Mine’ opens with an Indian instrumental flavour, a thumping bassline and a monster of a melody. Then arrives a Celt flavour while above it all the vocal survives intact and compelling. It’s a song full of adventure and originality. It’s also an epic anthem of our times.

‘Wrong Train’ opens electronically and is an example of how diverse the sounds are here. With drums dominationg the backdrop, the vocal is both pleading and angry with guitars ringing out in the background. It’s listening to songs like this that one can imagine how great this band is performing live (something I desperately want to do after listening to this record). ‘This’ll Never Be Like Love’ is a more thoughtful, contemplative piece and an example of how Butler’s voice adapts so easily to a song’s vibe and message. There’s a massive melody and a slow, steady drum beat that creates a stunning ocean-deep sonic foundation. Lyrically, it offers short and effective verses such as: “A cold and drowning sea of secrets that you keep/The hand that moves the time the tears well never mind.”

‘Ash Wednesday’ reminds me of the Pet Shop Boys at their best. The vocal is pure clarity and there’s another fine production achievement which gives all musicians room to breathe. It’s a beautiful and moving song with flashes of orchestral sounds to add depth. ‘Come All Ye Faithful’ offers a mix of pace and dark vibe while ‘No-One’ dives even deeper. ‘Tiny Hands’ delivers an adventurous opening sound of mixed strings and continues in folk rock style with telling lyrics: “Tiny hands are counting every second/The minutes, hours and days go by outside/Tiny throws the salt behind his shoulder/And straps you in to take you for a ride/…Tiny hands knows all your secrets/He holds them in his tiny hands.”

‘Turn Your Back On Me’ is a melacholy song with regret at its heart while closing song ‘Stars’ offers a more idealistic scenario: “The moon is shining through the trees/The starlings on the wires leave while we sleep…These are the days/We will all remember/These are the days/That we will all remember.” The band has created a dizzying range of sounds and sentiments dressed to the nines via excellent production. Can’t wait to see them peform this record live - it’s that good!

4/5

https://thepsychedelicfurs.com/