Product Description

Finding a category into which the critics can slot them hasbeen a problem for this excellent Scottish band. File under'very good quality pop' no longer exists on the record label. For the uninitiated, they have the soulful, wandering nature of John Martyn, mixed with some anthemic U2, plus a tolerable dose of Deacon Blue/Simply Red. A strong synthesizer backdrop may deter, but the lush arrangements are truly lovely. Paul Buchanan has an emotive voice that is well suited tohis melancholic material. Three albums in nearly 15 years is hardly prolific, but they are critically acclaimed and quality is always better than quantity.

Track Listing

1. Downtown Lights
2. Over The Hillside
3. Let's Go Out Tonight
4. Headlights On The Parade
5. From A Late Night Train
6. Seven Am
7. Saturday Night

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #20198 in Music
• Released on: 1989-10-09
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

(It's A) Universal Emptiness
I am guessing from reading other reviewers' opinions that `Hats' is one of those CDs that you fell in love with when it came out and you then treasure it for always no matter how your life moves on. How else to explain an astonishing consensus of opinion in the shape of 33 out of 33 five star reviews? I have listened to `Hats' very recently with fresh ears and whilst I have no desire at all to be contrary for the sake of it, I do not rate this album in 2008.

My fellow reviewer Russell Clarke, who has obvious taste and appreciation, quotes a Swans song for his review title, but `Hats' is a million miles away from the timeless emotional and artistic strengths of Michael Gira's band. I will put it simply: in my opinion this record has dated horribly; its programmed synth/drum patterns sound like the worst of the 1980s and Paul Buchanan's lyrical vision of rain soaked streets, neon lights, late night trains, etc. rapidly becomes tiresome and repetitive. When he strains for emotional intensity for me it just does not hit home, compared with say Mark Eitzel's work with American Music Club during the same period. The pace of the album is glacial and the mood melancholy, which would not be bad things necessarily, but the music on `Hats' is DULL.

Overall, I will give it two stars because you can tell that the band truly believe in what they are trying to do which is more than can be said for a lot of music in general. Also, this record is obviously dear to the hearts of many and I respect that. But I feel moved to post this review because if you are new to the Blue Nile and are intrigued by so many glowing accolades you may be in for a sore disappointment.

"An ordinary girl can make the world alright"
This is astonishing music. Full stop.

10/10

If Carlsberg made albums.....
...they'd not be as good as "Hats"

The best of the best from the best. The sound may not be indicative of where Blue Nile are now - but the craftsmanship has always been consistent and is plain to hear.

From the four albums produced, I can't say it's always my favourite, as each one fulfils a different mood at a different time - but if forced to take just the one Blue Nile album, it'd be Hats.