Dream Come True (A Flock of Seagulls album)

Last updated

Dream Come True
Dream Come True - A Flock of Seagulls.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedMarch 1986
Recorded1985
StudioBattery Studios, London
Genre
Label Jive
Producer Mike Score, Wayne Brathwaite
A Flock of Seagulls chronology
The Story of a Young Heart
(1984)
Dream Come True
(1986)
The Light at the End of the World
(1995)
Singles from Dream Come True
  1. "Who's That Girl (She's Got It)"
    Released: October 1985
  2. "Heartbeat Like a Drum"
    Released: February 1986
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [3]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music Star full.svgStar full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [4]
Record Mirror Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [5]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide Star full.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svgStar empty.svg [6]

Dream Come True is the fourth album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in March 1986 by Jive Records.

Contents

Background

After the release and tour for the band's previous album, The Story of a Young Heart , guitarist Paul Reynolds had left the band for personal reasons. Brothers Mike and Ali Score wanted to base the band out of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. With past success in the USA, both brothers thought leaving the UK and a new life in America was a perfect solution. With the popularity of the first three albums and the name "A Flock of Seagulls" still having some equity, they had 4 straight sell-out shows in Philadelphia. Mike, Ali and Frank Maudsley all applied for and were conditionally awarded green cards based on celebrity status under the O-1 work visa. The conditional approval was granted to all three, who settled in Philadelphia.

Maudsley soon became disillusioned with living in a strange city; he loved A Flock of Seagulls but had no family. Missing the UK, he returned to England. Mike and Ali stayed in Philadelphia and satisfied the terms of the visa. With Frank in Britain and the brothers in the USA it would appear the band was split into two camps. In fact, it was Frank Maudsley who kept the band communicating. Ultimately, the brothers had a falling out and the band dissolved; with Ali moving to Boston. Ali played in a hard rock band and then worked for a computer company in Cambridge once the work visa turned into a permanent residency.

Recording history

In an 1986 interview with Gary Graff of Free Press Music, Mike noted that, after writing "Heartbeat Like a Drum", he decided the band should become more dance-oriented again. Originally, the album was to be solo material, but the record company believed it would be better suited under the band's name. As they couldn't find a producer they wanted to work with, it was suggested that Mike take on the task of producing instead. Dream Come True would be the first album he would produce.

Maudsley was the go-between for the brothers and, during the recording of Dream Come True, some have indicated that Ali played on only 3 songs, Maudsley on 4 and Mike did all 9. One of the songs that all three did play on was entitled "Cosmos (Effect of the Sun)" and was dropped from the album. This dropping of the song brought the track listing down to 9 songs for the album. [7] A large row ensued where Maudsley and Ali wanted to drop "Love on Your Knees" and include "Cosmos." It was with this argument that two videos, "Who's That Girl (She's Got It)" and "Heartbeat Like a Drum," were filmed in quick succession. These two videos were the last time the three remaining members were together in a recording or music capacity until 2004.

The tour for the album added Chris Chryssaphis on keyboards and Gary Steadman—formerly of the new wave band Classix Nouveaux—as a replacement for Paul Reynolds on lead guitar. Both new additions did not stay in the band after the tour ended.

In 2004, the album was released on CD for the first time by Almacantar Records. It featured no bonus tracks. In 2011, the album was remastered on CD by Cherry Red. It included the 7" and 12" versions of "Who's That Girl (She's Got It)" and "Heartbeat Like A Drum," and "(Cosmos) The Effect Of The Sun" as bonus tracks.

Reception

The album failed to chart on either side of the Atlantic and thus was a commercial failure. [8] It also received generally negative reviews. Music Week called for "hiatus time for the 'Gulls, both artistically and commercially" and summarised, "From the uninspired title to the often cluttered songs, this LP tells the story of a band not quite up to their best." [9] Robin Smith of Record Mirror noted that the "utterly depressing" band "sound as if they've become Outer Mongolia's answer to Duran Duran". He felt all the songs "sound very sparse", with "Heartbeat Like a Drum" being "a third rate imitation of Hall & Oates" and "Who's That Girl" containing "some of the most clichéd embarrassingly awful lyrics I've heard". [5]

In the US, Billboard considered it a "strong comeback bid" from a band "that has so far failed to successfully follow through on its initial strong debut", [10] whereas People found the songwriting to be "ineffective" and the album itself to be "all formula and flourish with no substance". Regardless, they felt that Dream Come True had a "much stronger [and] pervasive" beat than the previous LPs from the band. [11] Dan LeRoy from AllMusic retrospectively called the songs "lifeless." [3]

Track listing

All tracks are written by A Flock of Seagulls (Mike Score, Ali Score and Frank Maudsley)

No.TitleLength
1."Better & Better"5:21
2."Heartbeat Like a Drum"5:33
3."Who's That Girl (She's Got It)"4:17
4."Hot Tonight"5:56
5."Cry Like a Baby"6:28
6."Say So Much"3:35
7."Love on Your Knees"3:57
8."How Could You Ever Leave Me"3:24
9."Whole Lot of Loving"6:03
Total length:44:35
CD Bonus Tracks (2011, Cherry Red)
No.TitleLength
10."Who's That Girl (She's Got It) (Extended Version)"6:53
11."Who's That Girl (She's Got It) (7" Version)"3:38
12."Heartbeat Like a Drum (12" Version)"6:57
13."Heartbeat Like a Drum (7" Version)"4:01
14."(Cosmos) The Effect of the Sun"12:30

Total length: 1:18:42

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Electric Prunes</span> American psychedelic rock band

The Electric Prunes are an American psychedelic rock band, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1965. Much of the band's music was, as music historian Richie Unterberger described it, possessed of "an eerie and sometimes anguished ambiance." Their most successful material was by songwriters Annette Tucker and Nancie Mantz, though the group also penned their own songs. Incorporating psychedelia and elements of embryonic electronic rock, the band's sound was marked by innovative recording techniques with fuzz-toned guitars and oscillating sound effects. In addition, guitarist Ken Williams' and singer James Lowe's concept of "free-form garage music" provided the band with a richer sonic palette and exploratory lyrical structure than many of their contemporaries.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">A Flock of Seagulls</span> English new wave and synth-pop band

A Flock of Seagulls are an English new wave band formed in Liverpool in 1979. The group, whose best-known line-up comprised Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds, hit the peak of their chart success in the early 1980s.

<i>Sounds from True Stories</i> 1986 soundtrack album by David Byrne / Various

Sounds from True Stories, subtitled Music for Activities Freaks, is the soundtrack to David Byrne's 1986 film True Stories. It was initially released on vinyl and cassette, but was given a CD and 2xLP release in 2018.

<i>A Flock of Seagulls</i> (album) 1982 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

A Flock of Seagulls is the debut studio album by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released in April 1982 by Jive Records. It hit No. 10 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 32 on the UK Albums Chart. The album includes the single "I Ran ", which reached the top 10 in the United States and New Zealand, as well as No. 1 in Australia. "Space Age Love Song" also reached the US top 40.

<i>Listen</i> (A Flock of Seagulls album) 1983 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

Listen is the second studio album by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released on 29 April 1983 by Jive Records. It once again teamed the group with record producer Mike Howlett—who produced their self-titled debut album—except on "(It's Not Me) Talking", which was produced by Bill Nelson. The album includes the UK top-10 single "Wishing ". Other singles released from the album include "Nightmares" and "Transfer Affection". The face on the cover is that of the band's drummer, Ali Score.

<i>Voices in Shadows</i> 1985 studio album by the Choir

Voices in Shadows is the first studio album by Christian alternative rock band the Choir, released in 1985.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mike Score</span> English singer-songwriter

Michael Gordon Score is an English singer, songwriter and musician who achieved fame as the founder, lead vocalist, and keyboardist of the new wave band A Flock of Seagulls. He released a solo album on 1 March 2014 titled Zeebratta.

<i>The Light at the End of the World</i> (A Flock of Seagulls album) 1995 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

The Light at the End of the World is the fifth studio album by A Flock of Seagulls, released by Big Shot Records in 1995. It was the band's first album since 1986's Dream Come True and was released in the US only.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Talking (A Flock of Seagulls song)</span> 1981 single by A Flock of Seagulls

"(It's Not Me) Talking" is the debut single by British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, originally recorded in 1981. It was re-recorded in 1983 and is featured on their second album Listen. The song is about a man who hears voices in his head, who believes that he is being contacted by aliens from outer space, and who cannot run away from his emotions; wherever he goes, the voice is there.

<i>The Story of a Young Heart</i> 1984 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

The Story of a Young Heart is the third studio album by A Flock of Seagulls, released in August 1984 by Jive Records. It was their last album—until 2018's Ascension—to feature the original line-up of the band, as guitarist Paul Reynolds left shortly after the album's release. Three singles were released from the album, some only in select countries: "The More You Live, the More You Love", "Never Again " and "Remember David". The album was reissued in 2008 by Cherry Red Records with bonus tracks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Good Old War</span>

Good Old War is an American indie folk band from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, featuring former members of Days Away.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Space Age Love Song</span> Single by A Flock of Seagulls

"Space Age Love Song" is a 1982 single released by the British band A Flock of Seagulls. It was their fourth single. Lead guitarist Paul Reynolds remarked on their 1984 video album Through the Looking Glass that, as the band could not come up with a title for the track, he suggested "Space Age Love Song" because he thought it sounded like a space age love song. The song reached the top 30 in the UK and the US in June 1982 and February 1983 respectively.

<i>The Best of A Flock of Seagulls</i> 1986 compilation album by A Flock of Seagulls

The Best of A Flock of Seagulls is a compilation album by new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released in 1986 by Jive Records. It is the first official compilation album released by the band.

<i>Modern Love Is Automatic</i> 1981 EP by A Flock of Seagulls

Modern Love Is Automatic is a 1981 EP by the British new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, written by Mike Score, Ali Score, Frank Maudsley and Paul Reynolds. The song of the same name was also showcased on their self-titled album the following year. The song peaked at #19 on the US Dance Club Play chart as a double A-side with Telecommunication.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zyon Cavalera</span> American drummer

Zyon Cavalera is an American musician who is the current drummer for metal bands Soulfly and Lody Kong. He is the son of ex-Sepultura and current Soulfly frontman Max Cavalera.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her</span> 1984 song by XTC

"Seagulls Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her" is a song written by Andy Partridge of the English rock band XTC, released on their seventh studio album The Big Express (1984). Composed on a Mellotron using only three fingers, it was the first song he wrote on a keyboard instrument. The lyrics were inspired by Erica Wexler, a fan who caused tensions with Partridge's then-wife. After his divorce, Partridge married Wexler in the 1990s. Japanese band Seagull Screaming Kiss Her Kiss Her named themselves after the song.

<i>Ascension</i> (A Flock of Seagulls album) 2018 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls

Ascension is the sixth studio album by English New wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released on 6 July 2018 by August Day Recordings. It is the band's first album since 1984's The Story of a Young Heart that features all four original members. It contains 12 songs re-recorded with the Prague Philharmonic Orchestra. The album debuted and peaked at No. 8 on Billboard's Top Classical Albums chart for the week of 21 July 2018 and at No. 29 on the UK Independent Albums Chart for the week of 13 July 2018.

"Who's That Girl (She's Got It)" is a 1985 song by English new wave/synthpop band A Flock of Seagulls from their 1986 album Dream Come True. The cover of the 7" and 12" singles came in red, blue, yellow, black, and white versions with the front including a picture of Lauren Bacall. Some pressings came on red vinyl with a "hits medley". The song reached No. 66 in the UK despite the album not charting. It was their last single to chart in the UK. The song has a BPM of 144 and plays in 4/4 time signature. Author Dave Thompson notes that the song "marked the end of the classic Seagulls line-up".

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Heartbeat Like a Drum</span> 1986 song by A Flock of Seagulls

"Heartbeat Like a Drum" is a song by English new wave band A Flock of Seagulls, released by Jive in 1986 as the second and final single from their fourth studio album Dream Come True. The song was written by Mike Score, Ali Score and Frank Maudsley, and produced by Mike Score and Wayne Brathwaite.

<i>String Theory</i> (A Flock of Seagulls album) 2021 studio album by A Flock of Seagulls with the Slovenian Symphonic Film Orchestra

String Theory is the seventh studio album album by the English band A Flock of Seagulls, recorded with the Slovenian Symphonic Film Orchestra. Released on 20 August 2021, it is the band's second album featuring orchestral renditions of their songs, following the 2018 album Ascension. String Theory was recorded at Tokyorama Studio in Ljubljana, Slovenia and Loop Studio in Trieste, Italy.

References

  1. LeRoy, Dan (17 August 2023). "Dream Come True Review by Dan LeRoy". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  2. LeRoy, Dan (17 August 2023). "Dream Come True Review by Dan LeRoy". AllMusic . Retrieved 17 August 2023.
  3. 1 2 LeRoy, Dan. "Dream Come True – A Flock of Seagulls". AllMusic.
  4. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music. Omnibus Press. 27 May 2011. ISBN   9780857125958 . Retrieved 10 December 2019.
  5. 1 2 Smith, Robin (29 March 1986). "Albums". Record Mirror . p. 9. ISSN   0144-5804.
  6. The Rolling Stone Album Guide. Random House. 1992. pp. 253–254.
  7. The Greenwood Encyclopedia of Rock History: The Video Generation, 1981–1990 MA Janosik – 2006 – Greenwood Press
  8. "A Flock of Seagulls: album reviews and ratings". Musicfolio.com. Retrieved 3 December 2015.
  9. "LP Reviews". Music Week . 12 April 1986. p. 19. ISSN   0265-1548.
  10. "Reviews: Albums". Billboard . Vol. 98, no. 15. Billboard Publications, Inc. 12 April 1986. p. 72. ISSN   0006-2510.
  11. "Picks and Pans Review: Dream Come True". People. 12 May 1986. Retrieved 7 April 2019.