Rocktrospectiva: The Fancy Dreamy Elegant "The Dream Academy" Turns 40

Released on 16 September 1985 "The Dream Academy" was the debut studio album by English band The Dream Academy, it was largely co-produced by Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour and Dream Academy frontman Nick Laird-Clowes. The album spawned four singles including "Life in a Northern Town", written as a tribute to the musician Nick Drake, became the Dream Academy's only major chart success, reaching number 7 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number 15 on the UK Singles Chart, other singles were "The Love Parade", "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" and "The Edge Of FOrever". The Dream Academy went on to chart at number 20 on the US Billboard 200 and number 58 on the UK Albums Chart.

The follow-up single from the album, "The Love Parade", was not received as well as their debut single, reaching number 36 on the Billboard Hot 100 and number 68 on the UK Singles Chart, but still received solid radio airplay. Also of note is the song "The Edge of Forever", which plays during a prominent scene in the John Hughes film Ferris Bueller's Day Off, resulting in many fans of 1980s films becoming more familiar with the Dream Academy's music.

The Dream Academy was the self-titled debut release for the art-school trio led by lead singer/guitarist Nick Laird-Clowes. Produced by David Gilmour and Laird-Clowes, the group was rounded out by vocalist/multi-instrumentalist Kate St. John and keyboard player Gilbert Gabriel, and they struck the first time out with the album’s standout track, “Life in a Northern Town,” which became a Top Ten smash in the spring of 1986. The Dream Academy used lush string arrangements and choir-like background vocals to create a sumptuous backdrop for their paisley-tinged pop. It works to best effect on “Life in a Northern Town,” a slice of watercolored nostalgia with its memorable chant-like hook. Other highlights include the sax-driven “The Edge of Forever,” the gentle dream recollection of  “In Places on the Run,” and “This World,” with its somber, stark portrayal of the downtrodden. Laird-Clowes‘ vocals are thin, a shortcoming masked by the soft focus of the material, and the album falters a bit during the second half; however, the best material on this record leaves you longing for more.

There was a pastoral feel here that's was so quintessentially English that it conjures lush rolling hills, villages bathed in Summer sun and better days and due this, certain critics likened the album for being a dream of the ordinary becoming glamorous, of maturing with age, of pleasant change, of counter revolution. Armed with lush string arrangements and choir-like background vocals the band managed to create a sumptuous backdrop for their paisley-tinged pop. 

The Dream Academy Track List: 

 

1. Life In A Northern Town

2. The Edge Of Forever

3. (Johnny) New Light

4. In Places On The Run

5. This World

6. Bound To Be

7. Moving On

8. The Love Parade

9. The Party 

10. One Dream