Poor old Julian.
The Teardrop Explodes were the first of those Liverpool bands (Bunnymen, Wah!, etc.) to make the charts. They were also the first to go down the dumper and the singer has not exactly made a frantic success of his solo career since - though this is as much his fault as anyone else's: people who parade around with turtle shells strapped to their backs are
bound to be thought
slightly eccentric. The man remains however capable of making breathtaking records - like "Sunspots". This is a stern, strident and invigorating march through some lunatic wasteland where tinny guitars slash, people whistle out of tune and someone pipes up on a jaunty recorder during the most compulsive sway-along chorus (featuring heavenly celestial choir) since long before Foreigner. In other words utterly, utterly brilliant and Single Of The Fortnight.
(Tom Hibbert, Smash Hits, February 14, 1985)
The ex-Teardrop Explodes' leader, who squatted naked under a turtle shell for his
Fried album cover leaps out twanging furiously at his . . . erm .. guitar. "Sunspots" is Jules in determinedly hippie mood, recreating - in mock serious tones - a psychedelic stroll through the sunshine. Amusing lyric but a rather ragged and directionless song. He still needs the discipline of a band to channel his wayward talent.
(
Martin Townsend, No 1, February 23, 1985)
Julian Cope has obviously taken the paisley revival too far, and is now wearing a coat of far too many colours. This EP has two records, four tracks - three of which are new, and a gatefold sleeve, but surely Sunspots have fried his marbles. (
Dylan Jones, Record Mirror, February 23, 1985)
