Format: CD
Cat. No.: SALVOMDCD17
Barcode: 698458991720
Playing Time: 130m

Raw and heartfelt, cynical and amusing, Eric Goulden’s songs are just as often perfect punk-pop constructs; his knack for melodic hooks and unpretentious rock ‘n’ roll ensuring his standing as a talented cult figure and a notable part of the Stiff Records legacy. This collection brings together the three frequently underrated albums Eric recorded for Stiff between 1978 and 1980, adding b-sides and live tracks to give a complete picture of his time with the label.

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REVIEWS

On paper, Eric Goulden looked a near certainty for widespread popular acclaim on the level of Stiff labelmates Costello, Dury and (latterly) Madness, but his ramshackle pop ditties never quite crossed over to the masses. Listening to the songs on this compilation, more than three decades later, it still baffles how the three-chord minimalism of Whole Wide World, Reconnez Cherie and Semaphore Signals failed to make even the slightest dent in the charts.

Eric plays the bumbling misfit loser with panache, whether pining for lost love (Veronica), delivering awkward chat-up lines (Let’s Go To The Pictures) or eavesdropping on a family funeral (The Final Taxi). Curiously, the only song here that seriously boosted his bank balance was the power-pop classic Broken Doll, courtesy of a cover by Cliff Richard, of all people.

4 Stars

Terry Staunton

RECORD COLLECTOR