ALF is the debut album from Alison Moyet, released on 9th November 1984 on CBS/Columbia Records. It was produced by Tony Swain and Steve Jolley. The album reached No. 1 on the British charts and peaked at No. 45 on the U.S. Billboard album charts.
Listen to the Full album:
Track listing:
Love Resurrection
Honey For The Bees
For You Only
Invisible
Steal Me Blind
All Cried Out
Money Mile
Twisting the Knife
Where Hides Sleep
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1982 synth pop duo Yazoo burst on the U.K. chart. The perfect combination of Vince Clarke's electronic sounds and Alison Moyet's wonderfully powerful voice. I was a big fan and especially loved the singles "Don't Go" and "Only You".
I was still at school at the time and couldn't afford the album "Upstairs at Eric's" but being a member of the record library I borrowed it and was very naughty by copying it so I could keep a copy.
The following year after their second album "You and Me Both" Yazoo (or Yaz in America) split leaving Alison to go solo.
Her 1984 debut album ALF was much anticipated and didn't disappoint. Preceded by the excellent first single "Love Resurrection", Alison had worked with my favourite producers at the time Swain and Jolley, who were responsible for the Imagination sound and also worked with Spandau Ballet and Bananarama.
I had the ALF album for Christmas 1984 and loved every track but "Invisible" is definitely my favourite. Sadly, despite co-writing 8 of the 9 tracks Alison wasn't happy with the pop sound that was forced upon her by the record company and producers. Now she even refuses to sing "Invisible" live.
Thankfully I got to see her in concert at the NEC in 1987 when she was still performing it and I was totally blown away by her voice.
Her 1987 follow up "Raindancing" was good but not up to the perfection of her first album. Then things went a little weird for awhile as Alison rebelled against the pop she'd become associated with for material that she was happier with.
For me ALF remains her best work.
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