Saturday 5 March 2011

Modern English: Smiles And Laughter
1981


   The biggest problem Modern English has, is they will always be remembered for I Melt With You. The quintessence 80’s synth-pop hit. It has been forgotten that they were an early signing to the 4AD label along with the Cocteau Twins.  Members of Modern English were also part of This Moral Coil. Whose biggest hit, a haunting version of Tim Buckley’s Song to the Siren, started life as a B-side to a medley of two Modern English songs (Sixteen Days and Gathering Dust).
   1981’s Smiles And Laughter was Modern English’s fourth single for 4AD. It and the B-side - Mesh And Lace - were recorded around the same time as their debut album. Yet neither is included on the album, despite the fact the album was called Mesh And Lace. Both song titles are "something" and "something", Smiles And Laughter, Mesh And Lace. 

Robbie Grey                      vocals
Gary McDowell       guitar, vocals
Michael Conroy        bass, vocals
Richard Brown                   drums
Stephen Walker           keyboards

Produced by Modern English & Robbie Mayhew


As a bonus here's the two Modern English song This Moral Coil covered.

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