lambchops's Full Review: Gorgeous George by Edwyn Collins
As a founding member of the 1980’s pop revivalist Orange Juice, Edwyn Collins was on the cusp of stardom. But when the band had two decent albums followed by a third failure and the scattering of nearly all of the original members, the band broke up in 1984 and left Collins to his own devices.
So the Edinburgh, Scotland native worked toward a solo career and struggled for a number of years to land a record deal. After a brief stint on Elevation, Collins was signed to Demon. Again, that relationship lasted only for a brief time. Collins recorded two albums for the label, Hope and Despair (1989) and Hellbent on Compromise (1990) before he was ejected from the contract.
Once again left on his own, Collins found a home this time with indie label Setanta. This time he wasn’t going to go unnoticed. It was with 1995’s Gorgeous George that Collins finally was awarded the critical and commercial attention that he’d been denied for so many moons. And the level to which he rose after the release of the album came as a great shock. The brand of indie pop that the singer-songwriter brought to the table was unexpectedly versatile and swathed in reflective lyrics and wry, ironic humor. Gorgeous George gave Collins his first and to date most widely recognized solo success.
The song that really propelled this third solo effort over the Atlantic was the highly recognizable A Girl Like You. But with that said, don’t expect the rest of Gorgeous George to be unremarkable. Collins makes his writing and vocal talent known and impresses the hell out of any onlookers on the other eleven songs. Sure some of the tracks are lyrically a bit ridiculous (North of Heaven is a thinly shrouded attack on Guns n’ Roses) but on the whole Gorgeous George is a most compelling disc worth the price of owning.
As already mentioned, A Girl Like You was the breakout hit of this album. Featured as part of the overall pretty excellent soundtrack to Empire Records, the track made an impression on radio listeners as well as filmgoers. A funky, light and strangely gripping rock track it is impossible to deny the power that Collins has over song. A Girl Like You is a modern song yet harkens back to the rock world of the 1970’s. And despite all of the dusky vocals and electric guitars, Collins managed to create a completely lovely song. Aside from the exuberant tune, what resonates as most striking is the lyrical arrangement:
You give me just a taste so I
want more and more
Now my hands are bleeding
and my knees are raw
Now you've got me crawlin',
crawlin' on the floor
And I've never met a girl like
you before
Fortunately, Collins offers up much more than that one big single. Gorgeous George kicks off with The Campaign for Real Rock. A richly evocative song, the perfectly paced yet almost frustratingly slow song lays the foundation for the excellent album that follows. Collins sounds like a modern day David Bowie incarnate. Whatever his influences, it is hard to ignore the vigorous, edge, emotional nature of the song. Incredible, absolutely incredible.
Continuing on, other songs also pierce the psyche including the lowly melodic Low Expectations and the jangly, bluesy fun of If You Could Love me. On other songs Collins shines more brilliantly. Out of This World, an atypical keyboard and synth lined song, represents the best of what Collins has to offer on this overall impressive outing. But in the same breath, it is absolutely important to note that not all listeners will “get” the appeal of the talent. His voice is unique; his pacing is unlike anybody else. Collins is by all accounts innately talented but not universally appealing. But to anybody with an open mind and a willingness to accept new kinds of pop, he is clearly a gem.
An acoustic guitar and folky ambiance mark North of Heaven. On an album chock full of more electric elements, this change of pace is refreshing. And aside from the pot shots at Guns n’ Roses the song is perfectly wonderful. The point of saying—literally—that the American rockers “suck” escapes me (regardless of allegiances). The song would have been better without said reference but North of Heaven is none the less strikingly elegant.
Gorgeous George and It’s Right in Front of You are also worth hearing but Make Me Feel Again is nothing short of wonderful. Collins seems to have been cut out of a cloth some twenty years ago. Beautifully low-key yet completely catchy and beautiful, Make Me Feel Again is also mature and thoughtful. And as Gorgeous George wraps up Collins gives the world the smoky, soulful I've Got It Bad and the quiet, spooky and understated Subsidence. Finally, Moron finishes this disc with a characteristic swagger and making the entire album worth hearing.
For what it is worth, Gorgeous George is a lovely disc. It is unlike most other modern music in that it successfully honors 1970’s Bowie and rock music in general without sounding like a throwback. Should you check out the album? Well…that’s a matter of opinion. It is wonderful, heart-felt and convincing but yet Collins has a unique vocal style that I suppose individuals will either love or hate. In my can, well…I love it.
Rating: 4/5 stars
Track Listing:
01. The Campaign for Real Rock | 02. A Girl Like You | 03. Low Expectations | 04. Out of This World | 05. If You Could Love Me | 06. North of Heaven | 07. Gorgeous George | 08. It’s Right in Front of You | 09. Make Me Feel Again | 10. I’ve Got It Bad | 11. Subsidence | 12. Moron
____________________
Collins has since recorded two albums. 1997’s I’m Not Following You was a bit of a disappointment while 2002’s Doctor Syntax successfully picked up where Gorgeous George left off.
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