Track Listing

1. Red Sleeping Beauty
2. Should The Bible Be Banned
3. MP Speaks
4. Fall
5. Funeral
6. We Are All Bourgeois Now
7. Antinature
8. Kill Kill Kill Kill
9. Frans Hals
10. Myth Of The North
11. Something Wrong Somewhere
12. This Nelson Rockefeller
13. Charles Windsor
14. From The Damned
15. Child Soon In Chains
16. Enemy Is At Home (For The Fat Lady)
17. Well Of Loneliness
18. You're Alive
19. Keep An Open Mind Or Else
20. I'm Not A Patriot But
21. Comrade Era
22. Should The Bible Be Banned

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #5385 in Music
• Released on: 2004-05-17
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .21 pounds

Customer Reviews

Terrific compilation of bubbly left-wing indie pop
Before (sort of) dissolving into Stereolab, McCarthy were a criminally underappreciated mid-late 80's British indie band. Their early material is excellent guitar pop (think of a slightly bubblier Smiths) while their later material starts to incorporate more keyboards. Uncompromisingly left-wing political lyrics are in general a plus, only occasionally being preachy and awkward.

For newcomers, this is an excellent overview of the period before and after their first two LPs "I Am a Wallet" and "The Enraged Shall Inherit the Earth". Fans of the group are also well served, as all but one of the tracks from McCarthy's first two albums appear here as Peel Sessions (leaving "The Well of Loneliness" as the only overlap with Cherry Red's other CD reissues).

In short, a terrfic compilation by a terrific band. With the original vinyl being as collectable/expensive as it is, this is a welcome reissue and highly recommended.

Beautiful and Intelligent
McCarthy are a criminally underrated band from the mid to late 1980's. They were also a very accomplished, thoughtful group of individuals responsible for some beautiful music and intelligent lyrics.

Some people may know McCarthy as one of the bands who contributed a song to the NME compilation called 'C86'. That song was Celestial City, another McCarthy gem, but this album is even better.

As is obvious from the name, McCarthy make frequent allusions to Communism/Socialism. They know their politics and write lyrics to display this, with confidence.

Some of the highlights here include 'Red Sleeping Beauty', easily one of the best songs on the album. The overall sound and guitar work is so attractive it puts a tear in my eye. The loud, prominent drums are also stunning, almost military-esque. This leads into the jaunty, upbeat, though edgy 'Should The Bible Be Banned', another fantastic piece of Indie-pop, with a twist.

'We Are All Bourgeois Now' is evidence that McCarthy were thoughtful, intelligent lyricists, and the music is no less satisfying than anywhere else on the album. Bigger and more well-known bands such as the Manic Street Preachers covered this song. It's obvious why. It is musically, lyrically and vocally impressive, and has also aged rather well. As a snapshot of mid 80's Indie Pop, it is priceless. That McCarthy inspired the Manic Street Preachers, one of the most successful British bands of all time, is an impressive feat indeed.

The likes of 'Kill Kill Kill Kill' also showcase some rather admirable guitar skills, and at only a minute and a half long, McCarthy were obviously smart enough to know which techniques kept the listener's attention.

'I'm not a Patriot But...' is yet another highlight, featuring soft guitars and prominent drums, along with the usual high, almost feminine-sounding vocal, which is charming and alluring. The lead singer was actually male, and had an excellent voice.

Fabulously titled 'Comrade Era' further expands on the Communist theme which was being explored by various other songwriters of that era, including The Redskins and Billy Bragg. 'Comrade Era' contains more deft guitar work and the enthralling, warm sense of 'comradeship' and togetherness which maps out this entire album. Through the variety of intelligent ideas explored on this album, adept musicianship is a hallmark, as well as lyrics which contain thought-provoking, striking visual imagery and themes.

This is a high-quality, original and authentic piece of political pop which should be fiercely snatched out of musical history and brought enthusiastically into the present. Embrace the fire and intelligence of this band.