“Fireside Favourites” by Fad Gadget - album review

features in: Album Chart of 1980 ● Album Chart of the Decade: 1980s

The debut record from the provocative Londoner, Frank Tovey, who was just turning 24 at the time of release in September, 1980. Landing halfway between Human League and Throbbing Gristle, the sound with which he'd been tampering since the mid-70s suddenly became fashionable, and he became the first artist to be signed to Daniel Miller's would-be-legendary Mute label, where two singles “Back To Nature” (Oct '79) and “Ricky's Hand” (Mar '80) were very well received by John Peel and the underground club scene where he loved to shock with outlandish theatrics beyond even Iggy Pop's wildest moments. Only one single was released from the album, the kinda goofy title-track, which doesn't represent the album at all well, being issued on 45 at the same time. “The Box” foretells Orbital and the entire rave scene whilst the Can-ish “State Of The Nation” ties yesterday with tomorrow. This guy has some super intriguing moments, it'd be fair to say he was an innovator.

The Jukebox Rebel
22–Sep–2009

Tracklist

A1	[03:20] Fad Gadget - Pedestrian (Frank Tovey) Electronica
A2	[03:48] Fad Gadget - State Of The Nation (Frank Tovey) New Wave
A3	[02:12] Fad Gadget - Salt Lake City Sunday (Frank Tovey) New Wave
A4	[04:39] Fad Gadget - Coitus Interruptus (Frank Tovey) New Wave
A5	[04:31] Fad Gadget - Fireside Favourite (Frank Tovey) New Wave
B1	[03:42] Fad Gadget - Newsreel (Frank Tovey) Electronica
B2	[03:09] Fad Gadget - Insecticide (Frank Tovey) Electronica
B3	[04:19] Fad Gadget - The Box (Frank Tovey) New Wave
B4	[06:17] Fad Gadget - Arch Of The Aorta (Frank Tovey) Electronica

ratings by TJR