One of Boy George's most interesting solo records to date. I first came across this cd at a second hand shop. And wasn't aware that George had made a solo record. I must admit that there are several songs on this record that are "SHOCKING".
Anyway being a huge fan of Culture and George. I brought this record and only liked 3 songs, which are; Kipsy, Girl with combination skin, and my favourite on the record; Something strange called love.
For those die hard George fans, this could be a goer but I recommend Sold as this had much more commerical appeal. However that shouldn't put any fan off from buying this record.
April 22, 2005As a fan of Boy George I hate to say that this album is full of horribly dated mid to late eighties pre-set synth sounds and rhythms, and bears no resemblance to his soulful, heartfelt beginings with Culture Club, or his later groovy dance hits as Jesus Loves You. Blame it on the heroin.... There are 2 good songs on this disc - the single "Don't Take My Mind on a Trip" and "Kipsy." What remains is dross.
September 30, 2004 |  | Perhaps George's best solo |  |
High Hat was one in a trio of variations of some of the same material. High Hat was basically released as Tense Nervous Headache in the UK, but that version had around a half a dozen songs that High Hat doesn't have, and vice versa. In other various countries, TNH was released as Boyfriend, but with fewer tracks. High Hat was a US-only album. Which ever way it is looked at, this album is pretty good. Of course, George had not fully recovered from his drug problems when this was recorded; he had stopped using heroin, but cocaine and prescription drugs were big on his list. But unlike George's first solo album, Sold, his drug use is not quite as apparent on this recording. But the song You Are My Heroin is blunt about George and drugs, and actually was shocking to me when i first heard it. Don't Take My Mind On A Trip, a single, is a great dance track, and the video was one of the first where Boy George was not wearing lipstick. I'm Not Sleeping Anymore goes back to George's more soulful upbringing, rivaling some work with Culture Club such as the 1982 single Time (Clock Of The Heart). Kipsy, with MC Kinky rapping, is another song about George and drugs, with mentions of Marylebone Court and "Ecstasy". The Jamaican vibe is another style that George is no stranger to; see also Everything I Own and Do You Really Want To Hurt Me. Don't Cry, perhaps the best song on the album and yet another single, lacks the ambitiously excessful sound of some of the other tracks. George sings in a Roy Orbison style voice, something that took a while to get used to. Other noteworthy songs are the tale of a mixed female dating a black man Girl With Combination Skin, and the gentle Something Strange Called Love. The only real downside to this album are 3 tracks on the first side: the slow-paced Whisper, the ridiculous Whether They Like It Or Not (which George himself has said that it was his "worst record ever"), and the single You Found Another Guy, probably the best of those three. This album probably will not be in print much longer; i'm actually surprised it is now. This is probably George's best solo effort, so i suggest all George fans get this.
November 24, 2000My ultimate favorite put out by boy george. Good beats with smooth lyrics combine into listening pleasure thru out.Favorite listen is 'Don't take my mind on a trip', Least favorite is Kipsy which seems to be not a very good song and breaks up the rythmn of the rest of the c.d.
November 20, 2000 | | 5 stars go to ONE track,the rest barely deserve my effort. | |
I got this when it was new.in retrospect i think it was just that"too many cooks spoil the soup".Boy was listening to too many voices,real or imagined."you are my heroin"is the one saving grace.it is worth the purchase price alone.nuff said.
October 13, 1999More reviews at Amazon.com ...
(6 reviews)