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Monday, October 1, 2007

Private Lives - Prejudice & Pride (1984)

In which we imagine a world where the compact disc was introduced in 1980, and now-obscure artists and albums could be preserved for posterity...
Yes, it's dated. Like a classic automobile, Private Lives' Prejudice & Pride album symbolizes a specific time and place. First of all, the keyboards sound old, and secondly, its studio gloss is totally '80s. But those are just two reasons why the LP is highly attractive to new wave disciples. The term "dated" is only bad to people who weren't born during the era the work originated in, or who have no affection for it. On Prejudice & Pride Private Lives combine their love for jazz and funk with the synthesized beats of mid-'80s England. The result is a hybrid of blue-eyed soul and new wave à la Fiction Factory, a group that Private Lives stylistically resemble. The music is often upbeat; however, the lyrics mainly consist of torn love letters, filled with bitterness and regret. "Living in a World" is the best track, the story of a promiscuous girl whose life has been overturned and who can't find her way to happiness; consequently, she begins having suicidal thoughts: "You say you want to drink and drive/Over the bridge to the other side," vocalist John Adams sings with both anger and empathy. The words veer between resentment and compassion, but it becomes obvious that he still cares for her: "No, you're just hanging around/Waiting for someone to rescue you." It's a beautiful ballad, hauntingly sung and sharply arranged with mournful synthesizers and toe-tapping basslines. (The 12" extended version, "Living in a World (Turned Upside Down)," is also worth searching for.) As strong as "Living in a World" is, one would assume that Private Lives used all of their ammo on one track; thankfully, they didn't. Prejudice & Pride has no filler. It may take a few spins for the record to sink in, but songs such as "River to a Sea" and "God Only Knows" are just as catchy -- if not as moving -- as "Living in a World." The angst level is pretty high; Adams seeks liberation from a dying relationship in "Break the Chains," and "No Chance You'll Pay" and "Break the Whole Thing Down" offer more romantic diatribes. All the dourness may seem a tad overwhelming; however, many British new wave artists weren't exactly cheerful. Prejudice & Pride details heartbreak with a sweet tooth for pop that is hard to resist. ~ Michael Sutton, All Music Guide

Private Lives - Prejudice & Pride (1984)
  1. River To A Sea
  2. No Chance You'll Pay
  3. Living In A World (Turned Upside Down)
  4. Stop
  5. God Only Knows
  6. Break The Chains
  7. Don't Wanna Cry
  8. Win
  9. Break The Whole Thing Down
  10. Prejudice & Pride
  11. Living In A World (Extended Version) [Bonus Track]
  12. Because You're Young [Bonus Track]
I'VE RE-POSTED THE ALBUM TRACK BY TRACK WITH SOME EXTRAS. YOU CAN FIND IT HERE

17 comments:

mineforlife said...

The album cover is a fake. If anyone has a decent scan of the original album, please let me know.

Comb & Razor said...

it's a bit rough, but i hope this will do, mate!

Anonymous said...

You are my new idol. I have been looking for this record for a long time, and just happened on your blog. Thank you! It brings back great memories.

Anonymous said...

I cant believe it!

Thanks a lot!

Look, english is not my natural language so is hard for me find the name of some songs that I like, but I dont have on tape or CD. So, when I listen some song on the radio, I try to listen a few part of the lyric to match the song on Google.

:)

Good luck, today I find the name of this amazing song and now I have all the album.

:)

Anonymous said...

Thank You!

Because you´re young was performed in Swedish Television. The show was called Måndagsbörsen

Nick, Stockholm sweden

Anonymous said...

Hi, the download link is broken. Any chance of a re-post? Thanks very much. Simon (Hong Kong)

Anonymous said...

Hi! Been looking for this for ages, but the link is not working. Reupload pliiiiise! :-)

Anonymous said...

yeah me too need the song, pls reup again.....thanks alot dude

McDoC said...

Hi fifty,
Can you please upload this if you have the time. I'm after the EXTENDED version "Living In A World (Turned Upside Down)" which is included as a bonus track. Maybe include it in your Random tracks post? Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Zshare has killed this beautyful album!

Khernitz said...

hey man...can you re-post the album on rapidshare or mediafire...many thanks

Anonymous said...

uploaded again to mediafire

http://www.mediafire.com/?myyfzmtyogh

:)

GeGe said...

Got the LP but have been looking for this mp3 for ages. The link doeesn't seem to work though. Any chance for (another) reup? If you'd like a better cover scan, mail me on: gunnarathomdrumdotnet

GeGe said...

Sorry to bother you with this request again, but could you pleeeease re-upload Prejuduce & Pride? :-)

Unknown said...

I can't thank you enough! I've been searching for Living in a World for ages! The extended version is what I remember most, probably due to its music video which had footage of two trains in a head on collision. I don't know why, but that image stuck. Once again, thanks!

Anonymous said...

I must have a look thru my old vinyl. I have the album and a few 12 inch singles.
I think new band "Hurts" is a carbon copy of Private Lives. maybe a resurge in interest will get the band together again?

Anonymous said...

This has been great to look bck on