Prefab Sprout – Two Wheels Good

Steve McQueen/Two Wheels Good is a true pop gem (dare I say, masterpiece) from the height of the 1980's "new wave" era. While Thomas Dolby's production is definitely of it's time, it sounds beautiful here and is very engaging. An abundance of Major 7th and Major 9th chords open the door to beautiful melodies and background vocals that recall the great pop tunes of the 1960's while guitars weave in and out providing deft touches of Americana throughout. There's really nothing else quite like the way Paddy MaCloon was able to bring all these elements to his wonderful song writing. For another great take on most of these songs, it's worth checking out Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen Acoustic (also included on the deluxe CD edition) to hear them stripped down in all their melodic glory.

Regarding this pressing, the total running time is close to 46 minutes with side 1 clocking in at nearly 25 minutes. As a result, some compromises were required during cutting. For the most part it sounds good though (especially with the volume turned up as recommended on the rear of the album jacket). Nevertheless, a couple minutes into the last track on side one, "Hallelujah", I can definitely hear an obvious dip in fidelity as the song plays out. Listening on head phones, it is even more pronounced (especially the vocal). Still, this is a great listen overall and a pressing worth owning if you can find a nice copy at a reasonable price.

The version of "When Love Breaks Down" on this US release is not the Thomas Dolby remix that appears on the UK STEVE MCQUEEN issue and most compilations. It's a bit more stripped down, but still one of the most perfect pop songs ever created. The rest of side one is of a similar high standard. Side two has a different vibe, with a jazzy flavor at times, more subdued and introspective, foreshadowing the approach the band would take with PROTEST SONGS. This pressing does sound a bit flat unless you turn it up, higher volume seems to allow the music to come out of its shell and gives it some life. The soundstage is lush and sweeping, but never cluttered or overproduced. My copy plays beautifully, other than a pop in the groove between "Goodbye Lucille #1" and "Hallelujah" I noticed zero surface noise.

As most vinyls from the 80's, the sound is as flat as it can be, and this is no exception. This album is a gem, but you already know this since you are here. We audiophiles are not on this site to write about the recordings we love (try allmusic.com for that) but about pressings and remasters, etc. if you're looking for a great remaster they will probably re-issue a better sounding one in the future.

Is the version of 'When Love Breaks Down' different on Two Wheels Good than it is on Steve McQueen? I don't have them both to compare, but I have owned the McQueen version in the past and this one seems different.

Edit: It is a different version. The Steve McQueen variant has a different version remixed by Thomas Dolby and its a tad bit longer. I prefer that version over the Two Wheels Good version.

Very nice work from this mid-80s British pop rock band. While I was captivated by the songs on Side A, I was quite disappointed that every song on Side B was a dud, iMO. They put their best foot forward on this album and you cannot blame them.

Nice sounding mixing and pressing. Recommended.