Fine Young Cannibals “Fine Young Cannibals” released 35 years ago today, December 10th, 1985. The debut album from part of the remnants of The (English) Beat including Andy Cox on guitar and David Steele, who were joined by distinctive singer Roland Gift (formerly in the ska band Akrylykz who had toured with The Beat). Soulful new wave with a ska vibe, the album is 80′s smooth, bouncy and bright with a couple of decent singles including the hit “Johnny Come Home” which went to #8 in the UK and #76 in the US and their cover of Mark James’ “Suspicious Minds” (first made famous by Elvis as part of his ‘68 Comeback); FYC’s version went to #8 in the UK and hit #23 on the US Dance chart. The single “Blue” went to #41 in the UK; our US version of the LP has a remixed version that goes more synthpop than the UK original. I’m not a big fan of either version. The rest of the album is fine, not a lot stands out besides the two hits though I do like the beats and riffs on “On a Promise.”