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Today is the 30th anniversary of the release of the Dubstar album: “Disgraceful”.
Released on 9th October 1995, this was Dubstar’s first studio album. It would be almost two years until their next studio album would be released: “Goodbye”, in 1997.
Disgraceful
I mentioned in my post Dubstar: A Voyage of Rediscovery that I had a little “summer break” from Dubstar since I first heard “Not So Manic Now” in 1996. A summer break that lasted longer than this album had been released, but nevertheless, I’m here now. And I’m here for it in spades.
If you’ve read my rediscovery post, you’ll read that the only Dubstar track that I knew (at the time) was “Not So Manic Now”, followed by a very vague recollection of “Stars”. I really liked “Not So Manic Now” – so much so that I’d been playing it on and off for over 20-something years. As I mentioned, that intro got me every single time and I really liked Sarah’s voice. It still does, and I still do.
Thus the decision was made to purchase their first album: “Disgraceful” on CD. I am fully aware that there are many other ways to listen to music nowadays. Streaming services like Spotify, there’s paid-for downloads from the likes of Amazon and of course, the illegal download route. But as I explained in my rediscovery post, I’d rather pay an artist for their work. I wouldn’t want to work for nothing, I don’t see why they should. Best way to do that is buy the album through official routes. OK, they may get peanuts as a result, but that’s more peanuts than if I’d downloaded the album from a torrent, for example.
Anyhow, that first album purchase (which cost me about 6 quid) is an investment. I get a good quality version, I get sleeve notes (I love sleeve notes!) and even if the music is crap, I’ve only lost 6 quid.
Disgraceful then, was my first foray into the world of Dubstar. I knew it had “Not So Manic Now” and “Stars” on it, and I was looking forward to listening to the rest of it.
I recall the trepidation that I feel every time I get a new album to listen to. Is it good? Is it crap? Have I wasted my money. How many times am I going to have to listen to it before it clicks? What about the lyrics?
As my post relates, it was a hit on first listen. Every single track is just a gorgeous journey of musical exploration. Clever lyrics, beautiful singing and fabulous arrangements. No-one does a cover like Dubstar (there are two on “Disgraceful”) they always end up better than the originals. What was outstanding for me was that you’re hearing Sarah Blackwood’s gorgeous voice, intertwined with glorious synth-rich catchy melodies. But listen to the lyrics, listen to what she’s singing about. It can be dark (and yet wonderful)!
With tracks like the reggae inspired “Elevator Song”, the sadness of “The Day I See You Again” and “Not Once, Not Ever” and the inevitability and disillusionment of the glorious “Disgraceful”, this is an album I could listen to until the actual end of time.
More info…
There’s a lot more information about this album in the rather wonderful Dubstar Archive, maintained by the equally as wonderful Steve Hillier.
Happy 30th Anniversary “Disgraceful”
