add
a biography
Reviewer:
Iluvthe80s
The
summery hooks and warm lyrics of Modern English's biggest hit,
"I Melt With You," gave listeners the impression that the band
was an upbeat pop act in the early '80s. "I Melt With You" was
actually an anomaly in Modern English's early discography.
Formed in Colchester, England, in 1979, Modern English was originally
a punk group called the Lepers. Featuring Robbie Grey (vocals,
guitar), Gary McDowell (guitar), and Richard Brown (drums), the
Lepers mainly performed at parties. After Mick Conroy (bass) and
Stephen Walker (keyboards) joined the band, they changed their
name to Modern English and were signed to 4AD Records. Inspired
by the stylish gloom of Bauhaus and Joy Division, Modern English
released the singles "Swans on Glass" and "Gathering Dust" before
recording their 1981 debut LP Mesh & Lace. Boiling with raw anger,
dissonant rhythms, and weird noises, Mesh & Lace confused some
U.K. critics while mesmerizing others. A year later, the group
streamlined their sound, dropping much of Mesh & Lace's gothic
experimentation on After the Snow. "I Melt With You" was included
on the Valley Girl soundtrack, and its video became an MTV staple.
Although "I Melt With You" didn't reach the Top 40 charts in America,
After the Snow sold more than 500,000 copies. However, the band's
next album, 1984's Ricochet Days, was a flop. Pressured by their
U.S. label Sire Records to release another hit and exhausted from
touring, Modern English began falling apart; Walker and Brown
were fired from the group. Grey continued recording with different
Modern English lineups. In the early '90s, "I Melt With You" was
played in a successful Burger King ad. Modern English started
recording another album with After the Snow producer Hugh Jones
in 2001. — Michael Sutton
SOURCE:
Allmusic.com
|
|