Thompson Twins
Close to the Bone

This sixth album of their career, released in 1987, marks the beginning of the downhill slope—both in popularity and quality—for the Thompson Twins project. And definitely not because one of the three musicians from their golden era just left, namely Joe Leeway, the half-Nigerian: after all, most of the work and the credit was—and still is—in the hands of frontman Tom Bailey. At his side remains only the blonde New Zealander Alannah Currie, who is also his partner.

It’s a tough time for the pair, with family bereavements adding to the aftermath of their separation from ex-friend Leeway. Consequently, this album contains more biting and brooding lyrics. Or simply sad ones, such as in “The Long Goodbye”, a recollection of that darkest day Currie experienced, losing both her mother and the baby she was expecting at the same time.

Back to the record: the producer changes, with the arrival of the brilliant Rupert Hine (Rush, Saga, Stevie Nicks, Tina Turner…) who makes them forget their previous mentor Alex Sadkin. The music remains the same… very rhythmic and decidedly oriented towards making you shake your hips.

Thus, we witness the strange phenomenon of a dance album with serious, even profound, lyrics. The market doesn’t react that well and this will be the last episode that allows the Twins to remain in the big league, though this time without conquering the top spots of the charts. More niche seasons will follow—just for die-hard fans.

The best of eighties synth dance is found here in the aforementioned “The Long Goodbye”, hushed and melancholic, but I also point out the catchy chorus of “Bush Baby” and the ethereal atmosphere of the closing “Perfect Day”. The TT certainly have their own touch, with their wealth and variety of percussion and the way soloist Thomas Alexander Bailey melodizes—always changing in terms of hairstyle, but steadfast and recognizable in his vocal delivery.

Their best days are behind them, then. After a couple of five-star works, they’re back to the typical “three”—meaning, a recommendation only for listeners who are already drawn to the expressive style of the Thompson Twins.