Liverpool Sound and Vision Rating * * * *

It has been six years since Alison Moyet, one of the greats of 1980’s electro pop, last released an album. During that time though she has not sat still, put her feet up and pined for a time which saw her at the forefront of female music icons from the U.K. the music has been carefully worked upon and time has been taken to make sure that the new album, the minutes (sic), is of the same high quality that her previous albums have had thrust upon them.  

All Ms. Moyet’s previous seven solo albums have hit the top 30 and judging by the characteristic refinement that is weaved throughout each song, there should be no doubt that the same will happen again. It would be a fine tribute to Alison Moyet’s time in music if the album emulated the giddy heights she found herself when the debut solo album Alf was propelled to the top spot nearly 30 years ago. Such things are in the lap of the record buying public but the album certainly deserves to be taken seriously, as with all Ms. Moyet’s work.

The electro pop sound, long since discarded in favour of more soulful pop has made a fantastic return and whilst there will be those who regret this decision to return back to her original roots, this shows that this woman is not afraid to explore old ground, to see old things in a brand new way. It’s like going back to the house you were born in and seeing that it has irrevocably changed but has all the old pleasant memories running around its corridors.

The minutes  contains songs that wouldn’t have been out of place when Ms. Moyet really got the U.K.s music buying public’s attention as part of Yazoo with Vice Clarke, intelligent, groovy and satisfying. Stand out tracks include When I Was Your Girl, Love Reign Supreme and Remind Yourself.  As with any electro pop album, there is in the back of the mind the thought of longevity, very few albums from the first great electronic explosion are thought of in the same way years later. It can only be hoped that this doesn’t happen in this case and that it becomes one of her most treasured albums for people to own.

Ian D. Hall