China Crisis - Diary Of A Hollow Horse FLAC download

I once read an interview in 1995 or there abouts with Gary Daly when speaking on the band's forthcoming acoustic album, he said that he "looked forward to doing an acoustic show" as it would finally help the band shed the "synthy-pop" image that they were tagged with since the early 80's. It is my opinion however that this album, easily their best work, predates that notion by about 6 years as there is nary a synth note to be found on the entire l.p.. Produced by Steely Dan's Walter Becker who had also produced the band's seminal "Flaunt the Imperfection", it is a recording light years away both musically and lyrical from anything which had preceeded it. From opening track "St. Saviour Square", "In Northern Skies", "Singing the Praises of finer things" and the second single "Red Letter Day", this album finally shows that the band were more than writers of simple 3 minute pop songs but rather accomplished and mature song writers as well as polished musicians. Drummer Kevin Wilkinson was so good that even Rush' own Niel Pert offered up praise. Sadly however, Virgin records couldnt market it well enough and the album failed to chart. What should have been a milestone for the group instead turned into an album barely heard by anyone. Shame really, as I rate it up there with the Stone Roses first album, New Order's "Technique" and Simple Minds "Street Fighting Years" as best albums of 1989.