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Rating:
"Young and Stupid" is a precious collection bursting with masterpieces created by an unjustly forgotten and underrated New Wave group: Josef K. Unlike fellow Scots Cocteau Twins, Associates, Ultravox, and John Foxx, who have received some critical and public recognition, the Edinburgh quartet has remained in the shadows, possibly due to their brief career (just over three years) and minimal discography (only one album).
Yet the six singles with respective b-sides gathered in this record are nothing short of splendid in their essential post-punk style: sharp and direct guitars that avoid all clichés, a pulsating and melodic bass that’s never banal, a dry and driving drum with sporadic synth effects.
"But they are Joy Division!", you might say, and indeed the sound proposed resembles the Manchester group, only the voice and songs of Paul Haig had little to do with Ian Curtis's monolithic and dramatic emphasis; Josef K also expressed melancholy, unease, and fatalism, yet despite everything, their work also had a certain hope, if not even a bitter optimism.
Simply put, one could say that Josef K resembled the Cure of '79 playing in the style of Joy Division, but this comparison can be misleading because the Scots infused a good dose of their own personality and originality.
Among the notable tracks present in this compilation that brings to light many otherwise unavailable songs, are the schizophrenic “Crazy To Exist,” “Final Request,” and “Night Ritual,” the vaguely Brazilian “Heaven Sent” and “Sorry For Laughing,” the melodic and poppy “Chance Meeting” (available in two versions) and “It’s Kinda Funny,” the dark “Radio Drill Me” and “Torn Mentor.” Among the Peel Session tracks present as a bonus, there is also an intriguing cover of “Applebush” by Alice Cooper(!).
A highly recommended album for New Wave lovers and those seeking music with a perfect balance between melody and incisiveness.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Chance Meeting (02:57)
The red sky behind you,
the feeling you've been here before,
you looked in the past dear,
the things we all gave up then.
I met you again there,
but this time it went for real.
We talked for a short while,
while I snuck forward,
and touched your hand.
You looked in the past dear,
the things we all gave up then.
Its hard to forgive dear,
when you shoot all the things,that we loved...
07 Sorry for Laughing (02:59)
It took 10 years to realise
why the angels start to cry
When you go home down the main your
happy smile your funny name
I'm not really mean so don't take it hard
When I ask you to run on the yard
It's so hopeless to be fine
Why you jump to close the blinds
you know i love you if i could but both my arms are made of wood
Just don't mean the things I say
it's only cos you're made that way
sorry for laughing
there's too much happening
sorry for laughing
there's too much happening
when we groove on into town
Charles Atlas, he starts to frown
she's not made like me and you
just can't do the things we do
it's times like these you have to pay
so sorry to turn on that way
09 Chance Meeting (03:07)
The red sky behind you,
the feeling you've been here before,
you looked in the past dear,
the things we all gave up then.
I met you again there,
but this time it went for real.
We talked for a short while,
while I snuck forward,
and touched your hand.
You looked in the past dear,
the things we all gave up then.
Its hard to forgive dear,
when you shoot all the things,that we loved...
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