fine young cannibals Archives - Vinyl From The Vault

Fine Young Cannibals “Don’t Look Back”

sfilzen — Tue, 19 Aug 2025 16:56:36 +0000

Fine Young Cannibals “Don’t Look Back” 1989. 12″ single, remixed, extended version. It was the third single from their second, and last, album, ’89’s The Raw & the Coooked. The previous two singles from the LP, “She Drives Me Crazy” and “Good Thing,” both went to #1 in the US and I totally remember – and liked – those songs. “Don’t Look Back” was the third single and while it did almost make the Top 10 in the US, going to #11 (and to #34 in the UK), I have zero recollection of it. It’s danceable but not nearly as much as the other singles, nor as ear-wormy/catchy. It’s fine but not remarkable, more 80’s-bland. Side A has the longer extended remix version and Side B has the 7″ single version of “Don’t Look Back” as well as another just OK song, “You Never Know” which is brightly and boppy very 80’s dance pop.

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Fine Young Cannibals “Fine Young Cannibals”

sfilzen — Thu, 10 Dec 2020 20:22:04 +0000

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.”

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Fine Young Cannibals “The Raw & The Cooked”

sfilzen — Thu, 06 Jun 2019 17:05:50 +0000

Fine Young Cannibals “The Raw & The Cooked” 1989. FYC’s second and final LP, a mix of new wave, pop, soul and dance music was a huge hit, going to #1 in the US, UK and Australia and hailed by critics as one of the most exciting records of the 80′s, winning the title of Best British Album at the Brit Awards in 1990 and was nominated for the Album of the Year at the Grammy’s. I think there’s a lot of other albums from the 80′s that would better fit for best album of the 80′s but this is a great record. Roland Gift’s voice gives the album a truly unique sound and the reggae/ska/new wave mash-up background of former The (English) Beat members Andy Cox on guitar and David Steele on keyboards and bass lends an appealing dance flavor throughout. With the exception of the first single, a cover of the Buzzcock’s “Ever Fallen in Love” (that track by the Buzzcocks is one of the best songs ever; FYC’s version went to #11 in the UK and to #11 on the US Hot Dance Club chart), all tracks were written by FYC. The second single, “She Drives Me Crazy,” was a massive smash, going to #5 in the UK and to #1 in the spring of ‘89 in the US and is considered one of the best songs of the 80′s – I remember it being everywhere that spring/summer. Their third single from The Raw & The Cooked was “Good Thing,” which is almost as good as “She Drives Me Crazy.” It went to #7 in the UK and once again topped the charts in the US during the summer of ‘89. “Don’t Look Back” was the fourth single, hitting #11 in the US but just #34 in the UK. For some reason I don’t remember that single at all but in August of ‘89 I was busy getting ready to go to my first year of college so was a bit preoccupied I guess but it’s a great rocker with a bit of jangle-pop guitar. “I’m Not the Man I Used to Be” was the next single: it did a bit better in the UK, going to #20 but just #54 in the US. “I’m Not Satisfied” was the final UK/US released single and it faired a bit worse, #45 UK and #90 US, though I’m not sure why because it’s a great, soulful dance number. FYC released the track “It’s OK (It’s Alright)” – a great funky new wave dance number – as a single in Germany and “Tell Me What” was released in France. FYC disbanded in 1992 (getting back together briefly in ‘96 to record the single “The Flame”).

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Fine Young Cannibals “Fine Young Cannibals”

sfilzen — Mon, 25 Jan 2016 16:22:56 +0000

Fine Young Cannibals “Fine Young Cannibals” 1985. Today, January 25th, is FYC and The Beat (The English Beat) co-founder and guitarist Andy Cox’s 60th birthday (b. 1956). Cox and Beat bassist David Steele formed FYC in 1984 and released Fine Young Cannibals the following year. The album reached #11 in the UK and #49 in the US.

Three singles on their debut album charted in the UK: “Johnny Come Home,” “Blue” and “Suspicious Minds” (“Johnny Come Home” made it to #76 in the US). “Suspicious Minds” is a rework of the original by Mark James and made popular by Elvis; FYC pick up the ska groove and layer in Otis Redding-like vocals, strings and horns.

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