The Housemartins were one of the most brilliant and underrated bands of the 1980's and this is their masterpiece. From the anthemic title track to the eerie closer "Build", the Housemartins show why they were absolute masters of a sound that was unmistakably British, unabashedly political, and undeniably pop. In an era of conservatism, the Housemartins addressed class issues with a double edged sword of soaring harmonies and biting sarcasm. What really sets this album apart from the band's lesser work though, is its variety. Slower numbers like "The Light is Always Green" and the album's gem "Johannesburg" mesh beautifully with uptempo rockers like "Me And The Farmer" and "I Can't Put My Finger On It", which contains one of the most infectious guitar hooks ever written. A true classic of eighties British pop, "The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death" is a must-have for anyone who appreciates English guitar pop, liberal politics, and harmonies that would make Lennon and McCartney jealous. I'll give it four stars, only because its sound is unlikely to win over someone who ordinarily does not listen to this type of music. You'll give it five.

I can't remember how I got to first listen to the Housemartins, but I remember I liked them from the beginning. They don't have so deep lyrics, but they are great with melodies (check out Pirate Aggro). This is definitely a must have, I haven't listened to other Housemartins records, but this is album is good enough to love their music.

I'd say the highlights on this album are "The People Who Grinned...", "Pirate Aggro" and "Bow Down", but still you can listen to it as a whole over and over again.

The most funny thing about it is that their bassist was the man we now know as Fatboy Slim (aka Norman Cook aka Quentin Cook).

This is one of my favortite recordings. It always cheers me up to hear it. If you like this as much as I do, you'll also likely enjoy the quirky sound of The Balancing Act, Three Squares and a Roof, another great, albeit obscure, album.

I love everything about this album. I've been listening to it since I was in college. I love the wry, subtle political and social commentary present in most songs. I love their voices and harmony. The slow songs like Build and The Light is Always Green and especially Johanesburg are the best. And any pop band that is willing to throw in instrumentals is cool in my book.

At first listen, this CD sounds like it's just fun, danceable bubble-gum pop. Well, the fun and danceable part is true, but it's much more than that. You will find that most of these songs are searing social commentaries. Take the title song for instance, which is about the shallow class of society that is so concerned with outward appearance and social standing that they don't even notice their own children starving. Yet the song is as foot-tapping as anything written in the 80s. Heaton's voice is an instrument in itself, and it is, in turn, haunting, joyful, anguished, mocking, empty and proud. The Housemartins (and their subsequent incarnation, The Beautiful South) were far too good to remain in obscurity. This is their best album, and it belongs in the music collections of vapid pop fans and music snobs alike.