For those not in the know, after the successes of Long Live The New Flesh which included chart hits, U.S. touring and the use of “I Go Crazy” in the John Hughes film Some Kind Of Wonderful, Flesh For Lulu regrouped in INXS’s Australian studio with producer Mark Optiz (Hoodoo Gurus, The Saints, INXS) to work on what would become the classic line-up’s last album, Plastic Fantastic.

Relationships within the band had frayed ultimately leading to the break-up of the band, but not before more hits were notched thanks to Plastic Fantastic.

“Decline And Fall” peaked at #15 on the U.S. Billboard Modern Rock chart and just like “Siamese Twist” from Long Live The New Flesh before it, it garnered college radio play. The John Hughes film association also continued with Plastic Fantastic tracks, “Slide” and “Slowdown” appearing in the 1989 John Candy comedy, Uncle Buck.

If that wasn’t enough, “Every Little Word” hit #14 on the U.S. Dance chart and “Time And Space” #9 on the U.S. Alternative chart. As the band splintered, new members joined to meet the touring obligations for a support slot on the Public Image Ltd. American tour.

The expanded edition is remastered from the original tapes and includes the bonus track “Bloodshot Moon.” Disc Two contains the full recording of the band’s performance at Club Malibu in Long Island, NY on November 26, 1989. Eight of the 15 songs from this live show have never been issued before.

Joe Marchese of The Second Disc interviewed band members for the liner notes. Plastic Fantastic finally gets the reissue it deserves and is dedicated to the memory of Nick Marsh.

CD 1:
1. Decline And Fall
2. House Of Cards
3. Time And Space
4. Every Little Word
5. Slowdown
6. Highwire
7. Slide
8. Day One
9. Choosing You
10. Stupid On The Street
11. Avenue
12. Plastic Fantastic
13. Bloodshot Moon [Bonus Track]

To my mind, Flesh for Lulu are sadly often overlooked when we think of 80’s new wave but one listen and you will know why they are known by the real wavers of the time; not just the wannabes. Back in the day a now Ex-GF turned me onto them, and I have listened ever since. Indeed, I highly recommend the band to newbies and supposedly hardcore followers of all-things new wave (and who might have wrongly excluded FFL from their sights), as all will wonder why they never listened to them before now, trust me.

As for this album, well, it probably lives up to its name, featuring a more plastic fantastic pop sound than was usual for the band (more than likely stemming from the band’s aforementioned growing inner conflict and turmoils). But it’s certainly not without its highlights. Stupid On The Street and the album’s title track are both delightfully happy-go-lucky and extremely catchy, along with the romantic Time and Space and the sultry Every Little Word.

Now coming complete on this brilliant Expanded 2CD Edition of this 1989 is a whole wondrous 15-track disc soundtrack to their Live at Club Malibu, Long Island, NY, November 26th, 1989 show! I mean, come on now, what more could any fan of Flesh for Lulu EVER ask for than all this?!

CD 2 Live Set:
1. Slide
2. High Wire*
3. Seven Hail Marys*
4. I Go Crazy
5. Stupid On The Street*
6. Avenue
7. Neighborhood Threat*
8. Time And Space
9. Cat Burglar*
10. Siamese Twist
11. Laundromat Kat*
12. Postcards From Paradise
13. Decline And Fall
14. Subterraneans*
15. I Could Never Take The Place Of Your Man

*previously unissued

Official Purchase Link

www.fleshforlulu.com