The Adventures - "Theodore and Friends" [1985] (New Wave)

I happened upon this album years ago in a Salvation Army thrift store bin, on vinyl, of course. Let's just say that upon first listen I was completely BLOWN AWAY. The Adventures won a place in my short list of favorite, yet largely underrated and appreciated, bands. Their slick stylings strike the perfect balance of being gorgeous sounds, yet without that characteristically "overproduced" sound of the 80s. I have an extreme affection for New Wave music, but I must say The Adventures totally transcend that genre label often assigned to them. Those first sounds I heard literally jumped off the vinyl, and into my heart. The songs remain stuck in my mental jukebox to this day, and often I reach for my mp3 disc containing this gem. This Irish band stil remains widely unheard-of, and I must say what a shame that really is. Take a listen for yourself, after reading these sources of information I compiled (and finding information on The Adventures is NO easy task, mind you!) A rare-as-hen's teeth gem, and more than worthy of the 5-star-rating I gave this stunning debut album!

----Opening notes by FlowerJewel

In describing Theodore and Friends (simply known as the self-titled release from The Adventures on "this" side of the pond), Michael Sutton writes:

****There is one enthralling moment in The Adventures' self-titled debut: During "Send My Heart" a choir unexpectedly6 engulfs the swell of swirling guitars, evoking a sense of wonder that can cause goose bumps. "Send My Heart" is dazzling, its lyrics break the heart while its music sparkles like Christmas lights. While the other tracks on The Adventures may not duplicate the song's breathtaking surge of emotion, the LP is a striking debut. "Two Rivers" is a soaring love song with toe-tapping percussion and shimmering riffs. Although the 12" mix of "Two Rivers" is preferable the shorter running-length doesn't taint its beauty. Even when a few of the tracks lack a hook or two, the stirring, crystalline vocals of Terry Sharpe are mesmerizing. The Adventures write songs that are ultimately uplifting, even when there is sadness, the lyrics speak of hope. The group is also spiritual; religious references appear in "Always" and "When the World Turns Upside Down". In the latter, the Adventures warn listeners about the devil. If that sounds cheesy, then stay away. Nevertheless, they aren't a Christian band; the band is too preoccupied by love to find time for preaching. The Adventures is highly recommened to hopeless romantics with a hankering for ringing guitars and dulcet melodies.****

Some background info, for the uninitiated:

Formed in early 1984, the Adventures' story can be traced back six years to the Belfast, Northern Ireland power-pop/punk group The Starjets, which featured vocalist Terry Sharpe and guitarist Pat Gribben.

The duo eventually sought their fortune on the London pub circuit and put together the Adventures with Pat Gribben's wife Eileen on vocals, aided by Gerard 'Spud' Murphy (guitar), Tony Ayre (bass) and Paul Crowder (drums).

A contract with Chrysalis Records brought minimal chart success during 1984 and 1985 when they released their Theodore & Friends debut album in 1984 (This was named The Adventures as a re-packaged version for the U.S. market containg remixes), but didn't find success until four years later, prompting the group to take a sabbatical in order to rethink their approach. A new contract with Elektra Records saw them achieve modest acclaim for The Sea Of Love, while the single, 'Broken Land', entered the UK Top 20 in April 1988. Although they attempted to consolidate their position, The Sea Of Love failed to reach the Top 40.

Their next album (Trading Secrets With The Moon) which was as strong a musical masterpiece as Sea Of Love again failed to set the charts alight but again gave the fans another album full of great material.

Their final album (to date) Lions and Tigers And Bears was released in 1993 and several singles from it hit the lower Top 50 but again it was the music world that missed out on this the Adventures most professional sounding production

Vocalist Terry Sharpe and guitarist Pat Gribben began the sophisticated harmony-pop Adventures in London after their former group, Belfast's spunky Starjets, split up in 1980. On its classy if overproduced debut, the quintet — boasting three singers (including Gribben's wife, Eileen) and no on-board drummer — crafts crisp, commercial guitar/keyboards music distinguished by attractive melodies and striking harmonies. Slickly mainstream without being hollow or obnoxious (despite a stack of guest synthesists), Theodore and Friends (issued in the US as The Adventures) has a couple of great songs — the sweeping "Send My Heart" (which sounds like it was written for a synth-pop band) and the falsetto-sung African-accented "Another Silent Day" — plus pleasantly diverting also-rans.

Adding a drummer and adopting a warmer, semi-acoustic adult-rock sound, the Adventures essayed The Sea of Love with less artistic success. The songs aren't as good (Gribben's lyrical pretensions are such that he can base a song here on The Trip to Bountiful), and the performances lack the first LP's instrumental sparkle.

Stemming a drift towards becoming a bookish Abba, the again-drummerless Adventures engaged producers Clive Langer and Alan Winstanley, who gave Trading Secrets with the Moon an intimate sound colored with bits of fiddle, organ, horns, pedal steel and traditional Irish instruments. Unfortunately, the tasteful arrangements also minimize the band's backing vocals, leaving Gribben alone in the spotlight to sing his bland poetry. Lloyd Cole co-wrote one song, the countryish "Desert Rose."

Sources cited:

Trouserpress.com, An Adventures Fan Site, All Music Guide (Review by Michael Sutton)

Tracklisting:
1. Always (3:55)
2. Feel The Raindrops (3:44)
3. Send My Heart (3:44)
4. Two Rivers (4:25)
5. Don't Tell Me (4:29)
6. Another Silent Day (5:02)
7. When The World Turns Upside Down (4:46)
8. Love In Chains (3:37)
9 Lost In Hollywood (5:06)
10. These Children (3:20)

Total Time: 42:08

Line-Up:
- Terry Sharpe / Lead Vocals
- Pat Gribben / Guitars
- Paul Crowder / Drums
- Tony Ayre / Bass
- Eileen Gribben, Spud Murphy / Vocals

Stay Tuned For More!!!!