China Crisis “Flaunt the Imperfection”

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China Crisis “Flaunt the Imperfection”

Posted 06 Jun 2011 in 80s, Albums of 1985, Albums of the 80s, Alt-Rock, Jazz/Rock, Pop, Rock + Roll

Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#396 in the Series) is China Crisis, Flaunt the Imperfection

Flaunt the Imperfection is the third studio album from one of my favorite acts, China Crisis. I love their What Price Paradise album. Like I’ve mentioned before, it seems like my favorite albums coincide with the tours that I’ve seen, having said that, this is probably a better album.

This one has a big name attached to it. That name is Walter Becker. Who? Many of you know that name. He’s one half of the famed duo that fronts Steely Dan, the other half being of course, Donald Fagen.

Mr. Becker produced Flaunt the Imperfection. He also ads some synthesizer touches along with percussion.

His production also added to a change in the overall sound of China Crisis. Out was a little bit of the edge and in was a little bit more of a synthesized melodic sophistication. Usually, what I just typed in that last sentence would scare me, but in this case, it worked, at least for me it did.

Highlights, we could start with “Black Man Ray,” “Strength of Character,” “Highest High,” “You Did Cut Me” and “Wall of Freedom.” The most well-known song in the bunch would probably be “King in a Catholic Style.”

You can hear the Steely Dan overtones in this project as well. It doesn’t dominate the sound, far from it, but if you’re a fan of the Dan you’d probably like this as well.

Most of the album was written by bassist Gary “Gazza” Johnson and guitarist Eddie Lundon. Vocalist Gary Daly added a writing credit on “King in a Catholic Style.” The drummer in the band was the late, Kevin Wilkinson. Kevin also played with The Waterboys, Squeeze and Robert Fripp’s The League of Gentleman.

Flaunt the Imperfection reached #171 on the Billboard Charts.

–Larry Carta