Hats by The Blue Nile

Pros: Great production,lyrics and music make this a must-have.

Cons: It doesn't get the attention it deserves.

The Bottom Line: A criminally underrated record that everyone should own.

Review: Released in 1989, Hats is the second album by the Scottish group The Blue Nile. There was a five year gap between their first album, A Walk Across The Rooftops and this record. Taking a long time between records would prove to be ...

Pros: Eight meticulously constucted songs of love beneath the city lights.

Cons: The epic length flags on one song, the melancholy tone of the overall album grand.

The Bottom Line: The Blue Nile's revered second album remains an equally romantic and obssessive gem about love beneath the pretty, cold city.

Review: Ever since I reviewed L eft of the Dial: Dispatches from the '80s Underground, that boxed set of alternative rock chestnuts released by Rhino Records, I have developed a strong appetite for the sounds of alternative ...

Pros: This album took the band five years to produce.Not a moment of it wasted.

Cons: Unfortunately this has become their standard gap between records.

The Bottom Line: The sound of falling in love.And falling out!

Review: I will not delay you a moment before declaring my love for this album!Objectivity will not be a major feature of the forthcoming text!I bought it the day it came out in 1989 and 13 years later there is barely a week goes by without it gracing my hi-fi...

Pros: The music is tasteful and usually alluring

Cons: Some of it's just too dang dreary -- their debut was much better

The Bottom Line: This atmospheric collection of love songs is well written, beautifully orchestrated and intelligent --- But it's a little too monotonous for me.

Review: (Disclaimer: Those looking for a brief description of the album will find what their looking for in the "Album Overview" section. The section titled "Detailed Track Discussion" is meant only for those who want to read detailed descriptions of ...