This is the kind of musical pleasance that represents the best of what true pop can be. Simple and catchy without ever coming close to stupid--lyrically and musically solid. This thing stayed in my Walkman for about a year straight when it came out. It's little use getting into which songs stand out, as there isn't a weak one in the bunch, but the closer, "Angel," leaves absolutely nothing to be desired. Dig in. Whatever you know about this band, they've never been better than this.

EbtG have gone through a number of phases (bosa nova, acoustic, techno) - this album is more ballads and folk rock, but may be the best collection of melodies they've put together. To that they coupled sharp but not over-the-top social/political observations (my favorite - from "Are You Trying to Be Funny?" where a well to do man preserves his conscience by praying "may the bad things in life come in twos and not threes") - themes later covered later with less subtlety by the Housemartins. I agree with the reviewer that this reissue should have been padded with some of the bonus b-sides, but at least it has the 2 tracks that made the US release (but not the original UK). If you liked the original version of "Missing" definitely pick up on this.

Have you really noticed the names of the rhythm session

musicians participating on this album: drummer / vocalist

June Miles Kingston (former member of MODETTES, FUN BOY THREE, guest vocalist on JIMMY SOMMERVILLE'S cover version

of FRANCOISE HARDY'S Comment Te Dire Adieu), bass player

Phil Moxham (ex-YOUNG MARBLE GIANTS & ex-GIST member, whose

single Love At First Sight is one of British Pop music's

unique moments).EBTG's music is so ethereal, full of positive

energy & seductive harmonies you needn't worry about missing

some camouflaged political or social message.I wish, I was

once again TABULA RASA, and those two were the ones to shape

with their magic chalk the colours of my heart.

I still remember seeing the video from this album back in the 1980s when it was released, and being mesmerized by the gorgeous vocals, lush guitar, and strong messages. The early music of EBTG is reminiscent of Style Council and even REM - very different from the electronica part of their collection. All are wonderful. This album has consistently excellent tracks, and all land on my iPod regularly - even decades later.

While the outside credits omit this information, this disc DOES contain the "bonus tracks" included in the US version -- "Heaven Help Me" and "Kid". The mastering surpasses the US cd edition. Whether it's worth an extra $15 depends on your budget and the quality of your sound system.