This is the first release by The Walter Eugenes – the self titled one that I originally purchased back in 1991 because I just assumed that Gene Eugene had something to do with it. I was wrong about that, but I immediately loved the music that I discovered. These guys released one other album (I think it was called Beautiful), but I have actually never even heard that one. However, I absolutely loved this release. The band was comprised of two guys: Walter Paul Robinette and Rick Eugene May. This 1991 release immediately made me think of parallels to The Cure and The Smiths. It’s got the British post punk feel, the breathy vocals, and lyrics that encompass topics from faith to love, loss, death, and even social awareness. If you can find this grab it – definitely a great release!
A great underrated album. My favourite track was actually the last one of the album ‘What’s Going On?’ – a tense, angry affair about (I assume) the state of televangelism at the time. (“If a million people sent me a dollar bill, they’d never feel it, but I sure will/If a million people sent me their money to spend, you know I’d feel it. I’d feel it again, I’d feel it again…”) Hmmm. Just got shivers down my spine typing that. Yep. Good album and good review. 🙂