Album Review: Through the Barricades (1986)

Through the Barricades was Spandau Ballet's fifth successful studio album (released July 15th by Epic Records) with most of it's success in the UK. It showed the exit from the New Romantics and into the pop era very well. Most of the songs on the album, I have not heard of before, as I have just become accustomed to the album, but they come into their own very nicely. 'Fight for Ourselves' however, is one of the band's best music videos so far (apart from True) as each and every member is screen kissed by two invisible ladies dressed in white whilst performing on stage. It encourages us to stick up for ourselves, fight for ourselves. So far, this hasn't happened for me yet.

The title track, is inspired by love prevailing over the troubles in Northern Ireland at the time, and the death of a crew member in the Troubles, hence "and we made our love on wasteland, and through the barricades". It is the longest track on the album, with a duration of 5'58. It really makes a change from the early days of pounding bass bangs and synthesizers, to the sweet serene background of a simple acoustic guitar, smooth jazz inspired saxophone solo at various parts in the track, with the parade style drums to fade at the end. Every time I have heard this song, I have had mixed feelings. Sometimes I feel a bit depressed listening to this song, but most of the time, it leaves me with delight.

To be honest, I would give this album a 9/10, as it is not as what I expected for a mid 1980's pop album, but it comes into it's own very well.

I would have concluded with a picture of SB backstage at Birmingham NEC ( if my tablet wasn't playing up) album review of that coming soon). It was to be one of the best concerts Spandau Ballet was to have ever performed at since Sadler's Wells in 1983, Club Blitz in 1980 and Live Aid in 1985.

Finally!

Take care,
Love, Flea