Back in 1979, an English synth-pop band known as Blancmange featuring vocalist Neil Arthur and keyboardist Stephen Luscombe made their debut.
In the ’80s, with the synth-driven melodies of New Wave music, Blancmange (named after the dessert) would be introduced to the masses courtesy of the 1981 compilation album “Some Bizarre Album” featuring unsigned synth-pop groups at the time such as Depeche Mode, Soft Cell, The The and of course Blancmange. Each who would have successful careers not long after the release of the album.
For Blancmange, they would be known for hits such as “Living on the Ceiling”, “Waves”, “Blind Vision” and “Don’t Tell Me”. But like many groups who were red hot with the British Invasion of the early ’80s, Blancmange was a synth-pop band who would call it quits in 1986.
While Blancmange returned in 2011 with their fourth album “Blanc Burn” and most recently released “Private View” in 2022 (albums after 2011 is without Stephen Luscombe due to poor health reasons).
But in 2006, the group released a best compilation album titled “The Platinum Collection” (their fifth), which was the first compilation album since their fourth from 1996 “Best of Blancmange”.
But what you get are some of their top songs from their initial three releases “Happy Families” (1982), “Mange Tout” (1984) and “Believe You Me” (1985).
While songs such as “Living on the Ceiling” gave the group some notice as it debuted no. 7 on the UK Singles Chart. Hard to believe that the lyric “Up the bloody tree” was considered controversial, but the use of sitar on that track is very cool!
“Waves” was another notable song from the album. But you also get the first double single “I’ve Seen the Word” and “God’s Kitchen” and “Feel Me” included on this album. NOTE: For those looking for the extended versions of the 12″ mix, you may want to seek the 2008 release titled “Happy Families…Plus”.
But when these initial songs came out, you had those who enjoyed the music but then you have others who were like “another synth-pop group” and they were immediately being compared to Talking Heads, Joy Division and Depeche Mode, but truth be told, while there were many synth-pop groups of the ’80s, fortunately with the three albums, Blancmange managed to create their own energetic synth-pop style.
In fact, for me, Blancmange’s music from their second album “Mange Tout” were pretty cool! Songs such as “Blind Vision”, “That’s Love, That It Is”, “Don’t Tell Me” and the ABBA cover of “The Day Before You Came” were cool, especially the first two releases from this album.
The songs from their third album “Believe You Me” were considered a maturation of their music. “Lose Your Love” was the group’s final single before breaking up and it was a cool song that showed a bit of a different style from their previous work.
Also, included on this album are some of the B-sides of their 7″ single releases. So you get “Game Above My Head”, “Vishnu”, “Get Out of That”, “All Things Are Nice” but unfortunately B-sides such as “Heaven Knows Where Heaven Is”, “Side Two”, “John” and B-side coupling songs from the 12″ are not included.
But you do get “Your time is Over” which made its first appearance in the 1990 compilation album “Second Helpings”.
This is a good compilation album but considering how many compilations are for Blancmange, their Rhino Records release in 2012 of “The Very Best of Blancmange” is probably the best physical compilation music release, but for those looking for digital MP3, “The Platinum Collection” is what you will find on Amazon and it’s way cheaper than the latest compilation album.
But overall, “The Platinum Collection” a solid Blancmange compilation for those looking for the primary released single tracks and a few of their B-sides! Worth checking out!
