Believe You Me

Last updated

Believe You Me
Blancmange - Believe You Me.jpg
Studio album by
Blancmange
Released11 October 1985 (1985-10-11) [1]
RecordedMay – August 1985
Studio
  • AIR (London)
  • Garden (London)
  • Island (London)
  • Redan (London)
  • Roundhouse (London)
  • Strongroom (London)
  • Wessex Sound (London)
Genre
Length45:09
Label London
Producer Stewart Levine
(1) Neil Arthur & John Williams
(2) Stephen Luscombe
Blancmange chronology
Mange Tout
(1984)		Believe You Me
(1985)		 Second Helpings
(1990)
Singles from Believe You Me
  1. "What's Your Problem"
    Released: 27 August 1985
  2. "Lose Your Love"
    Released: 28 October 1985

Believe You Me is the third studio album by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 11 October 1985 by London Records. A remastered edition was released by Edsel Records in 2008 which featured the album along with four bonus tracks.

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svg [3]
Louder Than War Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Record Mirror Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svg [5]
Smash Hits Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Upon release, Simon Braithwaite of Smash Hits stated: "Blancmange have come back with a selection of songs so varied yet simple that they make the whole thing seem practically effortless. Still there are the infernally catchy synthesized dance tracks and ballads but they've also introduced a lot more string arrangements." Mark Booker of Number One commented: "One of the few 'synth' bands who realise that the synth can't do everything, Blancmange have roped in a horde of guest artistes to complement their fine talents and serve up a delicious platter." [7] Billboard stated: "Synth duo gets some help from friends, most notably guitarist David Rhodes, but their relaxed sound proves a little too relaxed to encourage listener involvement, despite some fine playing." [8]

In a retrospective review, Bill Cassel of AllMusic wrote: "Believe You Me is leaner, subtler, and more organic [compared to Mange Tout (1984)], without straying too far from their established sound. Neil Arthur's vocals are stronger, and his and Stephen Luscombe's songwriting is more focused. The result might best be described as "mature techno-pop"." [3] Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War considered the album to be "filled with absolute gems and remains truly underrated to this day". He added: "Produced by Stewart Levine, it raised the bar in terms of sparkling production and should have seen the band catapulted into the next level of success." [4]

Track listing

All songs written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe.

LP: LONLP 10

Side one

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:09
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:48
  4. "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:35
  5. "22339" – 5:23 (1)

Side two

  1. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:35
  2. "Believe" – 3:49
  3. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  4. "Other Animals" – 4:19
  5. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back" – 3:31 (1)
  6. "John" – 4:16 (2)

CD: 820 301–2

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:09
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:48
  4. "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:35
  5. "22339" – 5:23 (1)
  6. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:35
  7. "Believe" – 3:49
  8. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  9. "Other Animals" – 4:19
  10. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back!" – 3:31 (1)
  11. "John" – 4:16 (2)

2008 Edsel – Remastered CD: EDSS 1027

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:04
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:09
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:49
  4. "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:36
  5. "22339" – 7:01
  6. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:32
  7. "Believe" – 3:48
  8. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  9. "Other Animals" – 4:33
  10. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back!" – 4:33
  11. "John" – 4:24
  12. "Side Two" – 7:50*
  13. "Mixing on the Ceiling" [Megamix] – 7:08*
  14. "I Can See It (Why Don't They Leave Things Alone)" [Extended] – 7:54*
  15. "Scream Down the House" – 4:07*

Chart performance

Chart (1985–1986)Peak
position
Canadian Albums Chart [9] [10] 73
UK Albums Chart [11] 54

Personnel

Musicians

Additional musicians

Production

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blancmange (band)</span> English synth-pop band

Blancmange are an English synth-pop band formed in Harrow, London, in 1979. The band were a duo for much of their career, composed of Neil Arthur (vocals) and Stephen Luscombe (keyboards). They came to prominence in the early 1980s, releasing four UK top-20 singles: "Living on the Ceiling", "Waves", "Blind Vision" and "Don't Tell Me". They released three studio albums during that decade: Happy Families (1982), Mange Tout (1984) and Believe You Me (1985).

<i>The Third Course</i> 1994 compilation album by Blancmange

The Third Course (1994) is a compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non album tracks.

<i>Mange Tout</i> 1984 studio album by Blancmange

Mange Tout is the second studio album by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in May 1984 by London Records. It was Blancmange's most successful studio album, peaking at number eight on the UK Albums Chart and was certified Gold by the British Phonographic Industry (BPI) on 25 January 1985 for sales in excess of 100,000 copies. The album contained four UK top-40 singles, two of which reached the top 10. The fourth single to be released and final track on the album is a cover version of ABBA's song "The Day Before You Came".

<i>Happy Families</i> (album) 1982 studio album by Blancmange

Happy Families is the debut studio album by English synth-pop band Blancmange, released on 24 September 1982 by London Records. It peaked at No. 30 on the UK Albums Chart, aided by the success of the album's third single, "Living on the Ceiling", released the following month, which became Blancmange's breakthrough hit, reaching No. 7 in the UK Singles Chart. A re-recorded version of the album, titled Happy Families Too..., was released in 2013.

<i>Best of Blancmange</i> 1996 compilation album by Blancmange

The Best of Blancmange (1996) is a compilation of singles, album and non album tracks from the English musical group Blancmange

<i>The Platinum Collection</i> (Blancmange album) 2006 compilation album by Blancmange

The Platinum Collection (2006) is a compilation of Blancmange singles, album and non-album tracks.

<i>Suitcase</i> (Neil Arthur album) 1994 studio album by Neil Arthur

Suitcase (1994) is the debut solo album by Neil Arthur.

<i>Blanc Burn</i> 2011 studio album by Blancmange

Blanc Burn is the fourth studio album by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 7 March 2011 by Proper Records. It was Blancmange's first album of new material in a quarter of a century, following 1985's Believe You Me.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lose Your Love</span> 1985 single by Blancmange

"Lose Your Love" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 28 October 1985 as the second single from their third studio album, Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "Lose Your Love" reached No. 77 in the UK, which was the duo's first single to fail to reach the Top 40 since 1982's "Feel Me". In the United States, it was a dance hit, reaching No. 2 on the Billboard Dance/Club Play Songs Chart.

<i>The Very Best of Blancmange</i> 2012 compilation album by Blancmange

The Very Best of Blancmange is a double CD compilation album by Blancmange, released on 16 July 2012 by Rhino Records. It is composed of singles, album and non-album tracks, and remixes from their first three studio albums. It contains one new track, "Making Aeroplanes ".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">What's Your Problem</span> 1985 single by Blancmange

"What's Your Problem" is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 27 August 1985 as the lead single from their third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Stewart Levine. "What's Your Problem" reached No. 40 in the UK and No. 30 in Ireland. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received heavy action play on the European music TV channel Music Box.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">I Can See It</span> 1986 single by Blancmange

"I Can See It" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released by London on 14 April 1986 as a non-album single. The song is a re-recorded version of "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?", which appeared on the duo's third studio album Believe You Me (1985). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Greg Walsh. "I Can See It" reached number 71 in the UK Singles Chart and remains the duo's last appearance in the chart. Shortly after the single's release, Blancmange decided to disband.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Feel Me (Blancmange song)</span> 1982 single by Blancmange

"Feel Me" is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 23 July 1982 as the second single from their debut studio album Happy Families (1982). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. "Feel Me" reached No. 46 in the UK and remained on the charts for five weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waves (Blancmange song)</span> 1983 single by Blancmange

"Waves" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 21 January 1983 as the fourth and final single from their debut studio album Happy Families (1982). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett, "Waves" reached No. 19 in the UK and remained in the charts for nine weeks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Don't Tell Me (Blancmange song)</span> 1984 single by Blancmange

"Don't Tell Me" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in March 1984 as the third single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Peter Collins, "Don't Tell Me" reached No. 8 in the UK and remained in the charts for ten weeks. A music video was filmed in Valencia to promote the single.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Blind Vision</span> 1983 single by Blancmange

"Blind Vision" is a song by English synth-pop band Blancmange, released in April 1983 as the lead single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). Written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by John Luongo, "Blind Vision" reached No. 10 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. A music video was filmed to promote the single, which received light rotation on MTV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">That's Love, That It Is</span> 1983 single by Blancmange

"That's Love, That It Is" is a song by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 18 November 1983 as the second single from their second studio album Mange Tout (1984). It was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by John Luongo. "That's Love, That It Is" reached No. 33 in the UK and remained in the charts for eight weeks. In January 1985, the song, paired with "Game Above My Head", reached No. 16 on the US Billboard Hot Dance/Disco chart.

<i>Semi Detached</i> (Blancmange album) 2015 studio album by Blancmange

Semi Detached is the sixth studio album by British Synth-pop band Blancmange, released in 2015. The album was the first to be created without the involvement of original member Stephen Luscombe due to his health problems. Neil Arthur commenced writing material for the album in 2013-14, with recording taking place during 2014. The album reached No. 22 in the UK Independent Albums Chart.

<i>Happy Families Too...</i> 2013 studio album by Blancmange

Happy Families Too... is the fifth studio album by English band Blancmange. A re-recording of the band's 1982 debut album Happy Families, the album was originally made available at Blancmange concerts in November 2013, before receiving a wider release via Cherry Red in April 2014.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">God's Kitchen</span> 1982 single by Blancmange

"God's Kitchen" is a song by English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released in March 1982 as a double A-side with "I've Seen the Word". It was the lead single from the duo's debut studio album Happy Families (1982). "God's Kitchen" and "I've Seen the Word" was written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe, and produced by Mike Howlett. The single reached No. 65 in the UK and remained on the charts for two weeks.

References

  1. ↑ Smith, Robin (31 August 1985). "News: Blancmange get set". Record Mirror . p. 8.
  2. 1 2 Harcourt, Nic (2005). "Good Enough To Eat". Music Lust. Seattle: Sasquatch Books. p. 69. ISBN   1570614377.
  3. 1 2 3 Bill Cassel. "Believe You Me - Blancmange | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic . Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  4. 1 2 "Blancmange: Believe You Me Deluxe Edition - album review". Louder Than War. 30 July 2017. Retrieved 22 October 2018.
  5. ↑ Mitchell, Mike (19 October 1985). "Albums". Record Mirror . p. 24.
  6. ↑ Smash Hits magazine - Review: Albums - Simon Braithwaite - 23 October 1985 - page 31B
  7. ↑ Number One magazine - Albums - Mark Booker - 26 October 1985 - page 45
  8. ↑ Billboard magazine - Reviews: Albums - 16 November 1985 - page 66
  9. ↑ "Item Display - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 15 August 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  10. ↑ "Results - RPM - Library and Archives Canada". Collectionscanada.gc.ca. Archived from the original on 1 January 2013. Retrieved 18 September 2012.
  11. ↑ "The Official Charts Company - Believe You Me by Blancmange Search". The Official Charts Company. 6 May 2013.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.