Cherry Red Records (label)
23 October 2015 (released)
24 October 2015
This reviewer once drove 200 miles across the UK to try and find a vinyl copy of Kissing The Pink's Last Film. It is one of those records that finds the band in the one-hit wonder section of music quizzes, having reached the top 20 in 1983. This reissue of their debut album pays homage to their best known song by including three versions amongst the 19 tracks. The best of which is the Hymn Version, which highlights the haunting rhythm of the song that made it a hit. What on earth it is about has never been easily fathomed; it is unlikely they were writing about a trip to their local ABC to see Return of the Jedi, just like the band's name is unlikely to have been inspired by watching Ray Reardon and Doug Mountjoy. The notes included here from band members Nick Whitecross and George Stewart reveal Last Film was about corruption and power - from a band that wanted to push their socialist leanings.
Away from that song, Naked reveals a surprisingly impressive early 80s sound. Connoisseurs of the era will spot the influences (Siouxsie and the Banshees and Depeche Mode for example) but the dark waves of Watching Their Eyes and dreamy Eno-like soundscapes in All For You forge their own distinctive path. Also included are remixes of second single Mr Blunt and the impressive Watching Their Eyes. These, along with the never before released Big Man Restless are more for fans. None would have had someone visiting old record shops years later to try and find them!
After Naked, Kissing The Pink changed focus and changed name. Under the moniker KTP they had success on the dance charts, but never repeated the poppy adventure of this debut.
