It can certainly be said that the Television Personalities are one of the most underrated groups in the diverse world known as post-punk. For this very reason, I am here to tell you about this CD, which is, in chronological order, the second in their decently extensive discography.

The album in question was released between 1981 and 1982, deeply resonating with the atmosphere prevailing in England during those years. In fact, with this second effort, the group led by Dan Treacy leaves behind, at least in part, the playful and carefree moods of "And Don't the Kids just Love It", their debut album, to move towards territories similar to those explored by Joy Division just a couple of years earlier. This shift is clearly visible in "A Day in Heaven"—a track where a sparse, obsessive base is punctuated by background rustles and a keyboard that makes the piece even gloomier. The same atmosphere can be found in "David Hockney's Diaries", where the main feature is our good Treacy's dragging and suffering voice. But as mentioned above, the moods of their debut album are only partially abandoned. In tracks like "Painting by Numbers" or "Magnificent Dreams", one can find that punk sprinkled with psychedelia that winks at Syd "crazy diamond" Barrett, considered rightly or wrongly the artistic godfather of Dan Treacy.

Ultimately, this album can, all things considered, be regarded as a transitional record that will eventually lead to the definitive shift with the subsequent "The Painted World". But it is precisely this distinctive trait that contains the beauty of this album, in the precarious balance between the two souls that characterize this group—a balance excellently explained by the alienated "Scream Quietly".

An album to own.

Tracklist Lyrics and Videos

01   Adventure Playground (03:03)

02   A Day in Heaven (04:42)

03   Scream Quietly (04:14)

04   Mummy Your Not Watching Me (03:09)

05   Brian's Magic Car (03:56)

06   Where the Rainbow Ends (03:44)

I've searched for love and I've searched for truth
But I must admit I've almost given up trying
So many things I said in haste
And now I'm scared of my own emotions
There's nothing left for me to say
Even though I tried so hard to find you
Just when I thought I had your hand in mine
You told me you had doubts in your mind

I tried so hard to find you

I called your name from the highest hill
I hear your voice even though you're not there
I've searched so hard to find the truth


I searched for love but I'm still crying
For a while there was no one else
But it's no use, there's no denying
Even though I try and pretend
This is where the rainbow ends

I've searched for love and I've searched for truth
But like a fool I let them slip away
Now there's nothing left for me to do
Can't find the words that I should have said
But it's no use, I can't pretend
This is where the rainbow ends

07   David Hockney's Diaries (06:46)

08   Painting by Numbers (03:26)

09   Lichtenstein Painting (03:13)

10   Magnificent Dreams (02:58)

11   If I Could Write Poetry (05:08)

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