A Craze - Such Bliss

A bliss in the madhouse

Back in 1983/84, Paul Weller’s Respond label was shunned by all but a few die-hard fans who astutely perceived the label as a logical extension of the ex-Jam frontman’s adventures with The Style Council. During Respond’s second incarnation, the label tasted minor success with both Tracie and The Questions. Its brightest hopes, however, were arguably A Craze, a duo formed by Chris Free (previously with punk band The Users) with singer Lucy Loquette. A Craze’s only single, the serene, Wellerproduced Wearing Your Jumper (backed by the haunting She Is So), attracted positive reviews; their only additional recording, Keeping The Boys Amused, graced a Respond sampler LP, Love The Reason.

A Craze have remained a best-kept secret ever since. Such Bliss finally unravels their full story with 15 recordings, including their Respond 45 (but bizarrely not that sampler track), alongside a raft of demos, abandoned recordings and two brand new songs. Within the CD’s stylish design, A Craze are correctly compared to Everything But The Girl, Weekend and Carmel. To these ears, Too Tight (a jazzy reworking of their single) also provokes comparisons with Swing Out Sister, while One Voice One Soul would sit comfortably alongside The Maisonettes’ Heartache Avenue. Blissful.

3 stars 3 stars 3 stars

England In June | CD 10001

Reviewed by John Reed
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