BLOODY TOURISTS

Finally, after admiring this album from afar 35 years ago, but being denied a purchase by my mother who thought the cover was too satanic, I purchased a copy of this album. More out of curiosity than any expectation.

Any hope and expectations were removed by the reggae like opener Dreadlock Holiday. A song I believe was a big hit for the band. This album is a hit album and a multi million seller. This album also has a reputation for being the gift young men gave their female objects of desire to soften up their hearts. Many marriages and childbirths started with this album, I guess.

And yes, the material on this album falls into the "romantic" category. That and light hearted pop. It is not teenybopper though. But take some of Paul McCartney's lighter songs in Beatles and you get the music here. Well crafted pop music with reggae and Caribbean influences. The mildly amusing From Rochdale To Ocho Rio is the prime example. But there are also some better crafted pop music here.

In this day and age, this album sounds dated. The quality is also pretty poor to decent. I am not a fan of pop too. But the album has some redeeming qualities though like some good crafted melodies, good vocals and good musicanship. But will I ever play this album again ? No. I will leave it in my box together with the rest of my childhood memories.

2 stars