The Beautiful South - Carry on up the Charts: The Best of the Beautiful South

This is a definitive best-of from the scathingly satiric, invariably tuneful band that arose from the ashes of The Housemartins. Sadly, Paul Heaton and friends have always been too twee and clever for the colonies, though classics like "My Book" and "Old Red Eyes Is Back" deserved better. A lovely, sing-along new track, "One Last Love Song," sounds like a farewell to arms, while the limited-edition disc of B sides proves that only XTC can match them in terms of high-caliber throwaways. --Jeff Bateman Amazon.com

Another good product of British Pop & Rock... Get it!

If you like British Pop & Rock in the style of Al Stewart, 10cc, Chris Rea, and even Cliff Richard, try The Beautiful South.
I don't know much about the musical background of these guys, but they make pretty, nice Pop music. "Carry On Up The Charts" is an American-made compilation of their greatest hits, but certainly is a good one. October 25, 2006

Criminally Underappreciated

I love The Beautiful South and this album includes almost all of their best songs. If you're new to this band, this is the collection to start out with, you'll probably also want to add Solid Bronze. Eight of the songs in these albums overlap, but listeners who are turned off by the tweeness of Song for Whoever, My Book, or I need a Little Time, will probably appreciate the somewhat softer irreverence of Rotterdam, Perfect 10 and Dont Marry Him Have Me.

Most yanks like myself are not familiar with this band, because they recieve no radio play. I was introduced to them by a dear friend and have been hooked ever since. The catchiness of ther melodies are unmatched. Their cover work of Everybody's Talkin and Dream a Little Dream are better than the originals. This is a band with members that can actually sing and juxtapose beautiful music with witty social commentary. May 18, 2006

Music Magic

a suberb band with a message and music that won't make you run screaming from the room, more please October 26, 2005

the band that should've been huge (in the u.s.)

we americans are often about as bright as alaska in january, and the fact that the beautiful south is criminally ignored here in the united states only further cements that feeling. and that's maybe the reason the beautiful south never caught on in the u.s.

perhaps the beautiful south were just too clever. perhaps it was paul heaton's savage lyrics wrapped around pleasant and pretty sounding melodies. maybe it was because the beautiful south put out their best stuff during the age when kurt cobain and co. ruled the charts. whatever the case may be, the beautiful south penned some of the most beautiful, sad, funny, and original songs i've ever heard.

it's difficult to describe the beautiful south's sound. it's not 'easy listening,' it's not 'adult contemporary,' it's not 'jazzy,' it's not 'indie.' they're one of those bands who just write solid songs with memorable melodies and lyrics. and 'carry on up the charts...' showcases just about all the band's greatest 'hits' and singles. for the newbie, all the essentials are here: song for whoever, i'll sail this ship alone, we are each other, 36D, a little time, etc. paul heaton has an impeccable gift for melody and never it is more evident than on tracks like 'we are each other.' the call and response between paul and brianna is just a whole lot of fun. there's hardly a beautiful south song that once in your head you won't hum for days.

that 'carry on up the charts' was a runaway success in the u.k. shouldn't come as any surprise to anyone who gives the band a listen. and if you've not heard the beautiful south yet, do yourself a favor and buy a ticket. you'll be glad you did. October 11, 2005

The definitive best of

Hats off to inventiveness, but The Beautiful South began to go adrift after "Miaow". If you could capture the band's signature sound, "Carry Up the Charts" would be the way to do it.

I could gush over so many songs, but my definitive favorite is the piano tinged "Let Love Speak Up Itself". It's impossible to not hum along with "Good as Gold" and "Prettiest Eyes".

The combination of intelligent lyrics, the influence of Paul Heaton's former group The Housemartins, the wonderful female vocals (Brianna Corrigan and later Jacqui Abbot) and British wit make this a terrific pop CD.

A personal favorite.



April 12, 2005

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