Love this cd
PD Heaton is a genius - anything he sings can turn any frown upside down. A fun, upbeat cd, great for anyone...

fun, light but lyrically interesting and intelligent
This album got heavy airplay when I was a college radio dj back in the day & once again a few years ago when I got a car with a cassette player. Just picked up the "Now that's what i call quite good" compilation at a used CD store and can't wait to play it...

The guy who compared this musically to Depeche Mode and the Pet Shop Boys is on crack. About all they have in common is that they're from Britain and they recorded in the 1980s. This album is all guitar/drum driven, not a synth. in sight.

On the other hand the comparison with the Balancing Act is right on...Three Squares and a Roof is highly recommended if you can hold of it.

Chicken soup for the Marxist soul
A friend of mine really likes this album, but I don't get it. Other British bands have put out much better music of this style (e.g., Duran Duran, the Police). I suspect the answer to my confusion is the explicitly communistic lyrics. Every time someone praises the album, it always seems that they praising the lyrics most strongly. I suspect that the lyrics are thus the aspect of the music that the Housemartin's fans key in on. They are certainly the only distinguishing feature of this band. I don't find the lyrics particularly witty or compelling however, and, when mixed with the derivative music, the whole experience of the album is unsatisfying. The album is thus a lot like contemporary Christian music; the music isn't really all that good, but people like it because they find it inspirational. (There really is a reason why this album never had extensive commercial success.) If you are a Marxist, this album is for you. Otherwise, you will do better with other '80s bands.

Great Stuff
This is one of my favortite recordings. It always cheers me up to hear it. If you like this as much as I do, you'll also likely enjoy the quirky sound of The Balancing Act, Three Squares and a Roof, another great, albeit obscure, album.

Pop mastery at its best! Run and find this one now!
'TPWGTTD' is one of the best brit-pop releases ever! If you want a good example of wry, tongue-in-cheek, up-tempo, quality pop muzik (talk about, Pop Muzik!), look no further. It is bands like The Housemartins and The Church that made me realize most good pop rock occured years ago, compared to the mostly garbage that's out now.