Track Listing

1. Bent Out Of Shape
2. Colours Fly Away
3. Seven Views Of Jerusalem
4. Pure Joy
5. Falling Down Around Me
6. The Culture Bunker
7. Passionate Friend
8. Tiny Children
9. Like Leila Khaled Said
10. And The Fighting Takes Over
11. The Great Dominions
12. Window Shopping For A New Crown Of Thorns
13. East Of The Equator
14. Racheal Built A Steamboat
15. You Disappear From View
16. Suffocate
17. Ouch Monkeys
18. Soft Enough For You
19. The In-Psychlopedia

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #8694 in Music
• Released on: 2000-11-13
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: Original recording remastered, Extra tracks
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

CD Description
Originally planned as THE GREAT DOMINIONS a full year beforehand, The Teardrop Explodes' sophomore effort only saw light in 1981. By this point, the public's fascination with the band was already on the wane. Not for the last time in his career, Julian Cope was busy fashioning obscurity from a potentially winning position. Against the backdrop of a group falling apart--and his own increasingly acid-fuelled instability--Cope somehow dispatched a minor psychedelic pop classic.
WILDER is less densely layered than its predecessor KILIMANJARO, relying all too heavily on string synthesizers for texture and cute electronic rhythms in a stark overall picture. Why grumble though, when the Turtles-esque "Passionate Friend" and the plainly insane imagery of the brassy "ColoursFly Away" lead the way into more Cope-fried confectionery? The Teardrops' transformation from group to hired hands leaves Cope clutching shakily at the reins. His writing and his voice, though, have never been better--witness "The FightingTakes Over" or "The Great Dominions". And, if prime influences are difficult to disguise, thank goodness the boy has a great record collection.

Customer Reviews

Worth it for bonus tracks alone
I loved the original vinyl which i bought in 1982, and its a great treat to hear it on CD now. Even better is the inclusion of the extra tracks which I had never heard before. So wierd listening to Teardrop songs that are new. And they are good too, except maybe "Rachel built a steamboat" which somehow doesn't work. "Ouch Monkeys" and "Soft enough for you" show Julian's voice off well, and are classic Teardrop in my opinion.

One of the best albums of the early Eighties
Another reviewer compared the Teardrop Explodes' Kilimanjaro to the Beatles' Revolver, but it is Wilder which really deserves the distinction. This album is much more varied than their debut and is highlighted by Cope's inelagant yet emotive voice.

This particluar version sports stunning sound and a slew of b-sides. (The chamber music version of Suffocate and Christ vs. Warhol are both missing, though)

Nonetheless, this is the most definitive version of this masterpiece currently available. Get it!

Wilder stands the test of time
I recently fished out my old vinyl copy of this, and had forgotten just how good it is. Maybe its because it reminds me of 18 odd years ago, but the music is so lyrical -Julians voice suits it well - there's just something about it. And it sounds as good today as it did then. I will get myself a CD copy now!