The following Thompson Twins - In to the Gap album review was published in Used Records & Tapes #1 [RoosterCow Press]
About six years ago, before moving for the second time in less than nine months, I gave away a good portion of my collection of ‘80s pop records: Culture Club, Thompson Twins, Altered States, et al. I was thankful for not having to schlep a few more boxes, but after I was moved into my new place, I regretted the decision. Even if I never listened to any of those records again, it was somewhat comforting just to own them. The ‘80s dayglo colors of record covers like Into The Gap, Culture Club’s Colour By Numbers, and Cyndi Lauper’s She's So Unusual—I mean, the future was so bright, we had to wear shades, for god’s sake! (That’s what Timbuk 3 advised anyway.) Nowadays, the future is not so bright and shiny.
Since that time, I have determined that much of my record-buying present and future will be involved in reclaiming my record-owning past. Which brings me to a recent record store discovery, the aforementioned Into The Gap.
Thompson Twins - Into the Gap - Album Review
Into the Gap was Thompson Twin’s 1984 chart-topper. What the three twins produced in this release is a great pop record by any decade’s standards. It didn’t hurt that they had, not only a firm grasp on ‘80s fashion but the means to capitalize on it. They did it so well, in fact, that their many detractors thought they were simply flash and fluff with no substance. Into the Gap proves those assertions wrong. The record is full of great synth hooks, danceable beats, and soaring vocals backed with great harmonies.
The Thompson Twins had both style and substance by way of good songwriting chops. The album’s two certified hits, “Hold Me Now” and “Doctor! Doctor!” are still radio mainstays but deeper cuts like “The Gap,” “Sisters of Mercy,” and “You Take Me Up” were equally worthy of 80s chart success. Class dismissed!— Chris Auman
If you enjoyed this Thomspon Twins Into the Gap album review be sure to buy a copy of Used Records & Tapes number 1 from the RoosterCow Store!