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The Undertones - Positive Touch Audio CD

A fair review of the The Undertones "Positive Touch" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all The Undertones reviews here, or go back to the The Undertones tabs.

The Undertones Band: The Undertones
Title: Positive Touch
Rating:
Release Date: 2005-02-15
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Fascination 2: Julle Ocean 3: Life's Too Easy 4: Crisis of Mine 5: You're Welcome 6: His Good Looking Girlfriend 7: Positive Touch 8: When Saturday Comes 9: It's Going to Happen 10: Sigh and Explode 11: I Don't Know 12: Hannah Doot 13: Boy Wonder 14: Forever Paradise 15: Fairly in the Money Now [*] 16: Julle Ocean [*] 17: Kiss in the Dark [*] 18: Beautiful Friend [*] 19: Life's Too Easy [*]

Arguably the best Undertones album
No matter your leaning, one would have to agree that Positive Touch was a far more sophisticated work than anything they had produced up to that point ("Hypnotized" would show signs of what was to come, but not to this degree). Hardcore fans of the Undertones will probably always disagree as to which album (CD, for all you post-vinyl kids) represents the best work by this musically diverse band of working class Irish boys, the differences normally seeming to stem from contrasting the bands uptempo, urgent "Ramones-ey" beginings (great, no-one would argue that) with their not-so-later stylings of "Nugget" style Psych-pop. While they were taking admitted cues from labelmates "Talking Heads" (among other influences, to be sure, but the "Talking Heads" one always surprised me), the results could not have been more different. Perhaps one could compare "Julie Ocean" to, say, "Heaven". It could happen. Anyway, "Julie Ocean" being a fine example of the level of songwriting they had reached by then. While the album operates extremely well as a whole, each song has such strong and distinctive personality it would be kind of arbitrary to single out one song as a "standout", but plenty of people (including John O'Neill) point to "Julie Ocean". Great song, I'm not sayin' it ain't, although the album version stands the test of time much better than the single version (No. Drumbox. Ever. ). I feel all the songs stand up equally but, if forced, I would point to songs like, "When Saturday Comes", "Hannah Doot", "It's Going To Happen", and the soothing-yet-unsettling "Sigh And Explode". And "Julie Ocean". All the elements, the writing, the performing, and the production, all combine for that "perfect storm" all bands pray for, and few ever actually achieve. I'm reluctant to try describing the "sound" or "style" of the album, simply because each song has so much individual character and depth that anything I say would be kind of misleading (for better or worse). Imagine a brilliant album you would most likely never tire of. There it is. One man's humble opinion.


Undertones - underrated
Maybe it was published at the wrong time, but I consider it an overlooked classic. Every time I listen to this album, that was my very favorite in the 80's,I just enjoy the playful and surprisingly fresh sound of this band, that started as a sort of punk band, but realised their full and very great potential on this album.
In this CD version five songs from singles (including the great single version of one of the songs from the album, Julie Ocean) are added - and extras can always be argued, but since you probably don't stand a chance at getting the singles, I consider them a bonus.


One of the best bands ever?
How many other bands can make such a claim? Positive Touch, their third release, was quite a departure from their previous efforts. The Undertones released three amazing records. Where their self-titled debut, and their second release, Hypnotised, showcased The Undertones' undeniable knack for writing short, hooky, revved-up pop gems, Positive Touch turned down the distortion and varied the tempos, resulting in one of the most consistently enjoyable pop records of all time. When this classic was first released, back in 1980, or thereabouts, I was vastly disappointed. I was (and still am) a huge fan of the first two records, and was shocked at how wimpy this record sounded in comparison. Twenty years later, I have rediscovered this disc. How could I have missed the obvious hooks of songs like Julie Ocean, Life's Too Easy, or It's Going To Happen? I blame it on my own youthful ignorance at the time.

With the exception of the more recently added extra tracks, Positive Touch runs from top to bottom, like the batting line-up of a National League All-Star team (the last track, Forever Paradise is a bit weak, kind of like having the pitcher take his at bat). Almost every song is a hit. O. K. , maybe not in the popular music sense of the word, but they certainly get on base in my musical universe. In addition to the three tracks I've mentioned, check out His Good Looking Girlfriend, Hannah Doot, and the title track.

Unlike many records from the late 70's/early 80's, Positive Touch stands up under the test of time. It sounds as different today as it did 20 years ago. I would recommend getting all three of The Undertones first releases, but since they are out of print, you may have to settle for the excellent Best of The Undertones collection.


You can see a complete list of all The Undertones discography, or go back to the The Undertones tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.

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