Melt with Them Over and Over Again (part 3)

(continuation of a definitive review of Modern English's full studio discography)
by aLfie vera mella

Ricochet Days (1984)

“Is it something in the water

Did it fall from out the sky

I've never known a feeling like it

I wonder why”

As Modern English progressed, its music became more instrumentally intricate and Classical-inspired. To classify the band at this point as New Romantic is very befitting. The third album, Ricochet Days (1984), may be regarded as the peak of the band’s musicality—a bittersweet mélange of basic Rock tools (electric guitars, bass, drums, and synthesizers) and Classical instruments (piano, violin, cello, oboe, and horns); the song structures were well-arranged and the instruments meticulously layered. The album featured also Kate St. John (on oboe), a primary member of another Classical New Wave group, The Dream Academy.

During the Philippine tour of Modern English in May 2013, I got to sing "Hands across the Sea" while Modern English guitarist Gary McDowell played the acoustic guitar, at their press conference held at Jill's Restaurant & Bar, at Fort Strip in Taguig City, Metro Manila.

On to the first track of Modern English's third album, "Rainbow's End," and you're already in for a delightful treat.

My favorite songs in this album are “Rainbow’s End,” “Spinning Me Round,” “Hands across the Sea,” “Blue Waves,” and “Heart,” which best represents the band’s New Romantic sound. Only one-hit listeners would claim that “I Melt with You” is the only great song of Modern English; “Hands across the Sea” is, in fact, a far more romantic and better-arranged song in my perspective.

“Hands across the Sea” is far more romantic and better-arranged compared with "I Melt with You," in my perspective.

 

There is so much more beauty beyond what has become commercially popular about Modern English; for instance, "Spinning Me Round."

"Blue Waves" best represents the trademark sound of Modern English—angular rhythm guitars, repetitive and patterned lead-guitar melodies, melodic bass lines, catchy choruses, and memorable keyboard lines.

Many music reviewers and even so-called fans dismiss Ricochet Days as a lackluster album—I wonder why—because the album is obviously well-crafted and full of catchy and meticulously instrumentated but easily digestible tracks. “Spinning Me Round,” for instance, is an attractive song. When I first heard “Blue Waves” in 1985, I knew right away that this was the trademark sound of Modern English—angular rhythm guitars, repetitive and patterned lead-guitar melodies, melodic bass lines, catchy choruses, and memorable keyboard lines intricately woven into each other. But, no doubt, “Heart” is where one can find Modern English in their most graceful and sophisticated New Romantic state.

Once more, yours truly and Modern English's very own guitar player, Gary McDowell, performing an acoustic version of "Hands across the Sea."

(review of the rest of the albums, to be continued...)