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.