The Smiley Smile Message Board

The Brothers McAloon are big Brian fans (I sat a stone's throw from Martin at a Smile gig); in fact, Paddy referenced Smile in the liner notes for the last studio album. Well... ten 'new' tracks have been circulating on the internet and although the Sprouts' solicitors have got wind of this and have removed the links, they're clearly still out there for the resourceful. From what I've heard, it's the best stuff Paddy's written (or released, or 'released') for many a year. Don't know if the tracks comprise a whole album or if some enterprising (though clearly misguided) thief has just uploaded a bunch of unheard of songs (there are, apparently, a lot), but there are rumours of a new album...

For some reason, no-one has yet removed this from Youtube:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/prefab-sprout-billy.html

I jumped at the chance to download the new tracks when they leaked but I've not listened to any of them except one ("Adolescence"), despite the extreme sparsity of new PS material I'm going to be hopeful and wait for an official release (some people will call me mad :lol ). Although from that one track I must say it sounds very promising and I'm excited should the "Devil Came a-Calling"/"Trapdoor Melancholy" (or whatever these collective songs will be known as) stuff gets a release.

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/johnny-storm-finds-paddy-mcaloon.html

Well, there is a new album after all:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/07/prefab-sprout-new-album.html

Well how about that, my birthday too! :o

I've listened to all their albums. I especially love From Langley Park To Memphis. I look forward to hearing anything new by McAloon.

Title's going to be Crimson/Red

Wow, this is the best news I've heard in a long time. Love Prefab Sprout!!!! Besides being a Beach Boys fan, I'm guessing Paddy must be a Spector fan as well judging by the sound of Prisoner of the Past.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XdLtHmNtf0s

Here's a neat fan video for the upcoming single. Hope the real one is half as good!

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/prefab-sprout-and-alfred-hitchcock-best.html

The official video's been shown though I can't find it on YouTube. It lacks a little something and I prefer the fan vid in all honesty.

More, much much more here:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-and-prefab-srpout.html

And another interview with Paddy; this time by Maximo Park's Paul Smith:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-on-crimsonred-prefab.html

All great interviews. On Friday I attended a performance of Thomas Dolby's Invisible Lighthouse which included a Q&A and myself and a few others got to meet up with him afterwards and have a little chat. He mentioned his favourite collaboration as being those with Prefab Sprout and, while he doesn't know what's next for him, it seems remotely likely there may be a possible collaboation in the future (how tenuous is that statement :lol ). Obviously because of Paddy's health issues recording with a band is difficult/nearly impossible but a collab with Thomas could alleviate some of the worries and allow the others to be involved.

That being said Crimson/Red is a fantastic piece of work but Paddy has said in a few interviews that it was almost an obligation to release it. He seems very weary to release his music / record new music unless he is pushed.

And more...

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-and-prefab-sprout-more.html

More McAloon...

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-on-prefab-sprout-and.html

Can't believe there's no US release!

And another great interview:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-talks-about-crimsonred-in.html

I never got into these guys before.  But man are they good!  Thanks for bringing it up!  I absolutely love "When Love Breaks Down".  Perfect pop song.

It shouldn't come as a surprise though. I think the last album of new Prefab Sprout music that got a proper U.S. release (near or simultaneous with a worldwide release) was Jordan:The Comeback back in 1990.
They never clicked here, so with the advent of Amazon, why bother with a separate U.S release?

Another interview and review:

http://fridaynightboys300.blogspot.co.uk/2013/10/paddy-mcaloon-talks-about-crimsonred.html

I quite like a few of the new songs but this album can't really hold a candle to anything that Prefab Sprout did in the 80s. The melodic invention just isn't there like it used to be. It's still nice to see that Paddy McAloon is in good enough health to make music. He's brought me a lot of joy.