TS: "Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good" Vs "Jordan...The Comeback"

Both are generally recognized classics. Both are loved by roughly the same people. And yet, they are sort of very different from each other.

"Steve McQueen" is sort of the early Paddy blueprint, sort of toned down in arrangements, separate songs with no overall "concept", acoustic guitars in most song arrangements.

Then there is "Jordan...." which is a much more ambitious collection of songs, some of which are just "ideas" fitting perfectly into the concept. And the concept? Well, it doesn't make that much sense but it's something about Elvis, religion, love, history and popular culture. Yet, musically the album hangs together very well, with several of the best songs Paddy ever wrote. The arrangements are more obviously keyboard-oriented, with less guitars and more synths. And it's a full digital recording, using the recording studio to its potential.

Obviously, they are both great, but I think I prefer "Jordan". I love the ambitious, and it's sad than when Paddy finally got round to follow it up he chose a less ambitous version of the band again (on "Andromeda Heights" that is).

My personal Prefab Sprout album may btw be "From Langley Park To Memphis" but I didn't include it here as I have the general impression it isn't quite as generally loved as the other two. Plus they had to manage without Thomas Dolby on that one.

So "Jordan" then.