Search - Tourists :: Reality Effect (Reis)

Reality Effect - US Edition

J. Donato | 09/29/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the only CD edition of the 2nd album by The Tourists. It is of the US edition that was originally released on Epic Records in the States. Two songs were removed from the UK edition (Something's In The Air Tonight, Summer's Night) and replaced with three cuts from their 1st album (Blind Among The Flowers, Fool's Paradise & The Loneliest Man in The World 7" version). The running order was juggled for this release, but truth to tell, it made a very strong album almost unstoppably great. Caveat: I heard the US album first, before acquiring all of the Tourists records in their original form, and even though I'm a "purist" and prefer original UK pressings, I'll have to own this CD soon because the US pressing is simply fantastic. The ears at Epic did a great job with this version of the release. Since the reissue label that released this is American Beat Records, it makes a kind of sense that they licensed the US version of this album, eh? Oh, and Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart were in this band before it folded and they started Eurythmics. I still prefer The Tourists."

ALL I WANT IS THE REAL THING

Alphan Umeric | Valencia, Spain | 09/03/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The CD is a compilation of twelve songs from the first two Tourists' albums, 'The Tourists' and 'Reality Effect'. All songs had already been released on CD in "Should Have Been Greatest Hits" and "Greatest Hits" (Camden, 1997). It is probably an American CD release of a vinyl compilation. If you are waiting for the European CD issue with the songs from the original 'Reality Effect' (including 'Something in the Air Tonight' and 'Summers Night'), you'll be slightly disappointed. Otherwise it's a nice release and if you like their music you'll appreciate it anyway.



Tracklist: 1. It Doesn't Have to Be This Way 2. I Only Want to Be with You 3. Blind among the Flowers 4. In the Morning (when the Madness Has Faded) 5. All Life's Tragedies 6. Everywhere You Look 7. Nothing to Do 8. The Loneliest Man in the World 9. So Good to Be Back Home Again 10. Circular Fever 11. In My Mind (There's Sorrow) 12. Fools Paradise"

Magnificent melodic pop

Pieter | Johannesburg | 10/30/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The core of The Tourists, Anne Lennox & Dave Stewart, of course went on to achieve international fame and fortune as Eurythmics, but The Tourists themselves have been neglected and underestimated. There is a certain bittersweet quality to their jangly pop that is quite unique, whilst the melodies are strong, the lyrics poetic and the vocals superb.



This album has a slightly different track listing than the original, including their two small hits, the sublime Blind Among The Flowers and the melancholy Loneliest Man In The World from their first album. Be that as it may, The Tourists deserved to have had more success; at least their failure gave us Eurythmics!



Every track is a winner, like the energetic I Only Want To Be With You and the eerie In The Morning When The Madness Has Faded which ends in a chilling howl. This is Byrds-like pop with chiming, jangling guitars and soaring vocal harmonies. Although I like every single song, the following also deserve a special mention: So Good To Be Back Home Again, All Life's Tragedies and Everywhere You Look.



To experience the Tourists in all their glory, I recommend the Greatest Hits album with 20 tracks. There is also Should Have Been Greatest Hits but it's a bit skimpy with only 10 tracks. Dave Stewart made a brilliant album in 1990, titled Dave Stewart & Spiritual Cowboys."