Rocktrospectiva: The Underrated "Theodore And Friends" Turns 40

Released on May 1985 "Theodore And Friends" was the debut album from the Northern Irish rock band the Adventures, released in 1985. The album spawned four singles "Another Silent Day", "Feel The Raindrops", "Two Rivers" and the brilliant "Send My Heart". 

The Adventures were a rock band formed in Belfast in the 1980s who moved to London where they had hits in the UK Singles Chart during the 1980s.  Released back in 1985, "Theodore and Friends"was an album that proved The Adventures were one of the most underrated bands around at that time.  

 

The first single from the album "Another Silent Day" peaked at No. 71, "Feel The Raindrops" peaked at No. 58,  "Two Rivers" peaked at No. 96,  but the superb "Send My Heart" - a top quality 80's single which made it into the UK top 40 and became a hit in Italy and Germany, this helped the single to be featured on the soundtrack to the horror movie Demoni the same year. The album reached #65 in Germany, but did not chart in the UK. In the US, the album was released under the title The Adventures with a modified track listing and different cover artwork. 

During promotion for the follow-up album, member Pat Gribben stated that he wasn't fully happy with Theodore and Friends stating that "You could hear the production problems". In 1990 he commented favourably on the track "When the World Turns Upside Down" saying that unlike the other tracks it remained fresh whereas the rest of the album relied too heavily on current production and musical trends. 

 

The single "Feel The Raindrops" that was a massive radio and chart hit also in certain areas, this was a sparkling 80s guitar pop of the highest order, one of the best songs on here, which are many, will make you come back to it and leave a strong first impression, definitely the strenght on this record was the sound of the guitars whos had a nice shimmer, not over done, but enough to let the songs breathe. the album after this is good, but this album is stellar. another silent day is an awesome song and can be seen and heard on youtube. 

 

There were many great tracks on this record but unfortunately they were just another band with so much potential, but a combination of poor marketing and underexposure doomed them to relative obscurity outside, even thought "Theodore and Friends" is striking and of course "Send My Heart" was a masterpiece, the album didn't had the recognition it deserved. 

Theodore And Friends Track List: 

1. Always

2. Feel The Raindrops

3. Send My Heart

4. Two Rivers

5. Don't Tell Me

6. Another Silent Day

7. When The World Turns Upside Down

8. Love In Chains

9. Lost In Hollywood

10. These Children