| Islands | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | 21 May 1984 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | ||||
| Length | 39:36 (1984 release) 69:55 (2004 CD reissue) 34:32 (Extra Play) | |||
| Label | EMI (United Kingdom) EMI America Records (United States) | |||
| Producer | ||||
| Kajagoogoo / Kaja chronology | ||||
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| Alternative cover | ||||
 US/Canada cover. | ||||
| Singles from Islands | ||||
| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Smash Hits |   [4] |
| Allmusic |   link |
Islands is the second album by the English new wave band Kajagoogoo,released on 21 May 1984 on the EMI label.
This was the band's first album without lead vocalist Limahl,who had been fired by the band in mid-1983 and went on to pursue a solo career. Bassist Nick Beggs,already the group's main backing vocalist,took over lead vocal duties,and also wrote the lyrics. The album was co-produced by the band themselves,now a four-piece group,along with Colin Thurston,who had also produced their debut, White Feathers (1983). It is the final album to date to feature founding drummer Jez Strode.
The album did not sell as well as its predecessor,peaking at No. 35 in the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single,"Big Apple",reached No. 8 in the UK,but subsequent singles were less successful,with "The Lion's Mouth" peaking at No. 25 and "Turn Your Back on Me" reaching No. 47.
In the US,the band had renamed themselves Kaja and Islands was reconfigured and released as a mini-LP titled Extra Play. It contained only seven tracks (five from the album and two bonus remixes) and peaked at No. 185 on the Billboard 200. On the US edition,the version of "Turn Your Back on Me" was different from the original UK version,having been remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero. This remix was released as a single in the US and reached No. 2 on the dance charts.
In 2004,the original UK album was remastered and reissued on CD with seven bonus tracks.
All songs written by Kajagoogoo.
Side one
Side two
2004 CD bonus tracks
Side one
Side two
Side one
Side two
Kajagoogoo
Additional musicians
Technical
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