The Psychedelic Furs - Made Of Rain
Since forming in ‘77, The Psychedelic Furs have released 8 studio albums. The first since the early ‘90’s, ‘Made of Rain’ has been long awaited by fans (myself included). It explores new themes for the band, moving away from blatant teenage rebellion and emotion, and into a moodier, middle aged look on life and relationships. However, front man Richard Butler’s close to poetic lyrics still hold strong and have lost none of their impact with the shift in tone.
The album kicks off with the characteristically rocky ‘The Boy Who Invented Rock and Roll’, a solid tune which interjects the heavy beats with an almost ballad like melody. The combined power of the Butlers’ fantastic lyrics and catchy bass make for an album that is, as always, recognisable as The Furs. The dramatic, moody theme continues, and the rest of the songs on the album follow much the same vibe. ‘Turn Your Back On Me’ is probably my favourite track on the album, held together with an interesting drum beat throughout and focusing on Butler’s throaty yet somehow tuneful vocals.
I have to admit, it isn’t quite the album I wanted as their first in 30 years. However, the writing is fantastic and the band members are as talented as they have always been. The two singles they’ve released so far, ‘Don’t Believe’ and ‘You’ll Be Mine’, fit nicely into the band’s existing discography when shuffled into a playlist, bringing more theatrical and sweet tones respectively. ‘Don’t Believe’ is probably the most like their older stuff, relying heavily on the sax and rhythmic, fast paced lyrics.
Despite the fact I don’t think I’ll be putting this on purely to listen to, I can’t wait to hear them bang some of these out on their tour post lock-in. The Furs shine best when they’re playing live, and the drama of ‘Made of Rain’ lends itself perfectly to this, with the perfectly judged humour and earnestness of their writing really shining out of every song on the album. A job well done, even if not particularly to my taste, and a stand out album that showcases just how versatile The Psychedelic Furs can be, and how little time has affected their talents.
7/10
