Description
Altered Images – Happy Birthday – Cassette
Happy Birthday is the debut studio album by the Scottish new wave and post-punk band Altered Images. The album was released in 1981 and is one of the band’s most notable releases. Altered Images was known for their catchy and often quirky pop sound.
Happy Birthday features a mix of infectious melodies, punk and new wave influences, and Clare Grogan’s distinctive vocals. The album includes the title track ‘Happy Birthday,’ which was one of the band’s biggest hits and remains an iconic song of the era.
Although the title track (which became a large UK hit single) was produced by Martin Rushent, the majority of Altered Images’ first album was produced by the Glasgow band’s original mentor, Siouxsie and the Banshees bassist Steve Severin.
The songs are an intriguingly odd lot somewhere between Joy Division and the Archies: rooted in post-punk, bass-driven jaggedness, while somehow managing to be light, perky and engaging. Severin, who also produced the band’s debut single, ‘Dead Pop Stars’ gives the young band a sound at times just a little too reminiscent of his own group. However, the unforgettable baby-talk voice of singer Claire Grogan keeps Altered Images from ever sounding anything less than unique.
Some of the other tracks on the album include ‘Love and Kisses,’ ‘Real Toys,’ and ‘Dead Pop Stars.’ Altered Images’ music often had a youthful and playful quality, and their lyrics often touched on themes of romance and everyday life.
While Altered Images may not have had a long-lasting career in the mainstream music industry, Happy Birthday is appreciated by fans of new wave and post-punk for its charm and its representation of the era’s alternative music scene. Clare Grogan’s charismatic presence as the band’s frontwoman also added to their appeal.
Track Listing
1. Intro Happy Birthday
2. Love And Kisses
3. Real Toys
4. Idols
5. Legionaire
6. Faithless
7. Beckoning Strings
8. Happy Birthday
9. Midnight
10. Days Wait, A
11. Leave Me Alone
12. Insects
13. Outro Happy Birthday
