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From the Commotions' Rattling debut onwards, MWprofiles the vital albums in their catalogue and Lloyd Cole's solo output
Rattlesnakes (1984)
Polydor
This is an astonishingly accomplished debut from the young band, made even more impressive by the fact that these songs were all written less than a year before release. In the chart for a year, it was driven by an almost perfect trio of singles in Perfect Skin, Forest Fire and Rattlesnakes itself. Producer Paul Hardiman took a hands-off approach to recording his young charges and the result is a timeless set and a clutch of assured performances and sharp arrangements. Cole still considers Are You Ready To Be Heartbroken to be his finest moment as a songwriter. The album still provides the heartbeat to his solo set.
Easy Pieces (1985)
Polydor
Even more successful than its predecessor, with hindsight the album suffers from an over fussy production courtesy of Langer/ Winstanley which perhaps suffocates some songs under punchy brass sections and a drum sound that fixes it firmly as an Eighties record. It contains Cole's least favourite single, Lost Weekend, which is also the band's biggest hit. Brand New Friend and Cut Me Down also scored as hits, but the band claim they were rushed into the studio too soon. Cole remains unimpressed by his 'self- conscious' vocals, highlighted by slick session backing singers, and the sacking of Rattlesnakes producer Hardiman early in the sessions.
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