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Altered Images Album Reviews 2out of 5
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Happy Birthday... Plus

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History will recall Altered Images as the most perky of the early 80's indie pop stars, fronted by the irrepressible frontwoman Clare Grogan. Their legacy of singles still retains a happy, innocent charm but what of their albums? Well, in the case of their 1981 debut it was an undeniably patchy affair which fail to live up to the standards of their 45s. To prove their limitations, 'Happy Birthday' not only features in the centre of the album but there are versions of it at the beginning and end too. In fairness there are better songs here, the second single 'A Day's Wait' and 'Leave Me Alone', all spidery Siouxsie And The Banshees-style guitars and a somewhat gloomier outlook. These probably say more about producer Steve Severin and the soon-to-depart guitarist Caesar than the band's long-term ambitions though. Yet the remainder of the album - despite the good intentions of a more indie than pop-based template - is rather weak and far inferior to bonus tracks such as the first single 'Dead Pop Stars' and B-sides 'Sentimental' and 'So We Go (Whispering)'. A greatest hits compilation would definitely suffice for most people, 'Happy Birthday... Plus' is for the die-hards only.
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  Track Listing
01 Intro: Happy Birthday
02 Love And Kisses
03 Real Toys
04 Idols
05 Legionnaire
06 Faithless
07 Beckoning Strings
08 Happy Birthday
09 Midnight
Standout Track A Day's Wait
11 Leave Me Alone
12 Insects
13 Outro: Happy Birthday
14 Dead Pop Stars
15 Sentimental
16 Who Cares?
17 Happy Birthday (Dance Mix)
18 So We Go (Whispering)
19 Jeepster

Standout Track = Standout Track

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Also Recommended:
Altered Images - Pinky Blue ...Plus
Big Joan - Insects And Engines
Strawberry Switchblade - The Platinum Collection
Wake, The - Here Comes Everybody + Singles
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