If you like: Orange Juice, China Crisis, Prefab Sprout, or even U2 this album is just right for you. 
About: A leading proponent of the “quiet pop” movement of the early 1980s, The Pale Fountains formed in Liverpool, England in 1981. Led by singer/songwriter and guitarist Michael Head, the group–which also included bassist Chris McCaffrey, drummer Thomas Whelan and former Dislocation Dance trumpeter Andy Diagram–debuted in 1982 on the Operation Twlight label with the single “(There's Always) Something on My Mind” which generated such a posititve buzz that they were immediately signed by Virgin for the then-staggering sum of 150,000 pounds. However, their label debut, the lavish “Thank You” failed to crack the U.K. Top 40, despite a heavy promotional push. After an intense year in the studio, the Pale Fountains’ first LP, the bossa nova-inflected Pacific Street, finally appeared in 1984; after such a relatively long absence from the limelight, the group had lost its status as media darlings, and the record fared poorly. Producer Ian Broudie was brought in to helm 1985’s ...From Across the Kitchen Table, but again success was not forthcoming; in the wake of considerable acrimony amongst the band and their label, The Pale Fountains soon split, with Head returning to Liverpool to form Shack with his brother John. *^{via Jason Ankeny}
Why it’s worth your time: What should’ve been another 80’s cult summer soundtrack, ...From Across the Kitchen Table, seems to remain wrongfully neglected by the world. In this day and age, I think the power of pop music is perhaps even moreso discounted by the lot of us–lazily, with an arrogant turn of the head at the supposed lack of depth in its quantifiable lyrics or in its ostensibly simple and pervasive sonic structures. Veritably–in today’s climate, especially–we need truly great pop to knock us off of our high horses and save our asses from a resulting sullenness, bitterness, and apathy. Sure, I can list off a multitude of prime pop groups making music at this very moment, but there is something immeasurably great about the new wave pop of the ‘80s that we always try to understand and emulate. And therein lies the truth: there can’t be anything simple about such an enigmatic sound. So go ahead, enjoy the real thing once in a while...it’s good for you.         
A favorite track: ...From Across the Kitchen Table