Rocktrospectiva: The Rawer "Book Of Days" Turns 35

Released on 31 October 1989, "Book Of Days" was the sixth studio album by the English alternative rock band The Psychedelic Furs, the album peaked at No. 74 in the UK and No. 138 on the Billboard 200, spawned two singles "Should God Forget" and "House" which peaked at No. 8 and No. 1 respectively on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart. 

 

Co-produced by David M. Allen, the album marked the return of original member Vince Ely,  the album was deemed as dense, murky, agitated, dark, raw and hauntingly pretty that captures the attention of long time fans, the voice of Butler was so intense and the guitars were perfectly rawer to create an alternative rock sound that was emerging back then.

The band was looking to return to their roots, so this album was a rawer return thanks in part to Ely's return, the sound caught everyone as a surprise, cause the public expected more of their polished pop hits but nevertheless, the album is still highly regarded and remains an integral part of their canon today.

 

The album has interesting tunes such as the brilliant "All That Money Wants", propelled by Vince Ely fine work on drums, definitely "Book Of Days"  benefited from a great producer Dave Allen, whose work with the Cure is partially echoed at many points on this textured and intense collection of songs. Perhaps Richard Butler's voice isn't remarkably different than before but he sounds better all the same, this was taking in count by Allen letting his voice through the mix while John Ashton's rich and ringing guitars fill out the mix instead of keyboards. 

 

The strong part relies on the Tim Butler & Ely rhythm section, if not always as frenetic as in early days, shows a partnership well reestablished, and the end result can often rival the early Furs at their best, unfortunately, the set hadn't hook mainstream songs althought this never was a problem for the band, often the best moments aren't the individual songs but their differing approaches like the heavily distorted bass rumble of "Entertain Me," the stripped-down blend of acoustic guitar and cello of "Torch.", you can also notices the echoes of The Cure and The Chameleons here on the finest "I Don't Mine", the killer "House" offering an intense explosion of modern rock alternative sound with the Furs at its prime.

 

Book Of Days Track List: 

 

1. Shine

2. Entertain Me

3. Book Of Days

4. Should God Forget 

5. Torch 

6. Parade

7. Mother-Son

8. House

9. Wedding

10. I Don't Mine