Cupid & Psyche 85by Anonymous

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July 12, 2004: If you like pop music, and I'm talking about great pop music that unashamedly loves a great tune, a great beat, hooks aplenty and good times in abundance, then Cupid and Psyche is for you. One of the all-time great pop albums, it has nine tracks that have 'hit' written all over them, and though it is clearly of its time (there aren't many albums that sounds as 80's as this), it boasts a strange timelessness that helps its best songs sound like the future of pop music even today. For example, songs like 'Absolute' and 'Wood Beez', clearly two of the most stunning singles ever released, that twist, turn, tease and dazzle with their gorgeous music, clever lyricism, awesome vocals and stunning production. In fact these two songs in particular boast that secret alchemy for what makes a truly special pop single. Not one second of each is wasted, and both constantly thrill and excite. The lovely slow-pace of 'A Little Knowledge', the pop funk of 'Small Talk' and 'Don't Work That Hard', the sunny, summer-infused 'Perfect Way' and 'Hypnotize', and the amazing 'Lover to Fall', all of these tracks are a pop music fans dream. Special mention must go to the opening track, 'The Word Girl', a startling fusion of bouncy reggae pop, feminist politics and weird dub that was the groups's biggest UK hit single, and it still sounds like a beautiful summer's evening to this day. Green Gartside's vocals are totally inimitable throughout, Arif Mardin's production is immediately catchy and spectacular, and the album's bonus tracks boast the superior 12" remix of Hypnotize and a fun remix of 'Absolute'. Cupid and Psyche 85 is one of the most fun albums ever made, it is brilliantly composed and produced and difficult to shake off once you've heard it. Go listen to now!