Singles 1989-1991

AMG Review of Singles 1989-1991

Tom Schulte
All Music Guide

Besides the RCA singles released by the Wedding Present from 1989 to 1991 explicitly referred to in the title, this two-CD package also contains non-single material. CD one contains the group's first five RCA singles. CD two is a compilation of radio versions, tracks from compilations, live material, a previously unreleased song "Crushed," and extra tracks that only appeared on 10" versions of the singles. Britain's the Wedding Present is a jangly, power pop band that is diverse enough to recall the Pogues ("Cumberland Gap") and the Damned ("Blue Eyes"). The group also has an excellent sense for selecting material to cover. On Singles are their versions of such indie songs as Pell Mell's instrumental "Signal" and the Jean Paul Sartre Experience's "Mothers." Then, they also interpret such more widely known groups as the Velvet Underground with an acoustic "She's My Best Friend" and "Box Elder" from Pavement. On "Box Elder" and often elsewhere here, one may be reminded of the Fall by the voice of vocalist David Gedge (Cinerama) and the group's rollicking, noisy pop arrangements. The eight albums in the Wedding Present's discography and Singles are an excellent way to obtain an overview of their oeuvre or fill in the gaps in a fan's collection.