Top 8 Psychedelic Furs Albums (New Update)

The last time I wrote out my list of my favorite Psychedelic Furs albums was back in 2022, and now the time has come for me to update it (again). I think this will be my fourth time updating my list, and the reason why is because now a certain album of theirs is in the number one spot. My other favorites still remain the same in their ranking though.

Before I begin I just want to remind you all: This is MY OWN personal ranking so please be respectful about my choices. I am not here to pander to everyone but to share the albums that mean to me the most. The reason why I'm bringing this up is because a year ago when I used to post on The Psychedelic Furs Facebook fan page I reshared my blog of my top 10 favorite PFurs songs (written in 2021), and unfortunately I got comments from whiny fans who complained that their favorite song wasn't on my list. It made me very annoyed, so I don't want to see that type of behavior with this new album update.

Anyway, let's get started. Here are my top 8 favorite Psychedelic Furs albums!

8. World Outside (1991)

It's hard to believe that for many years, from 1991 to 2019, World Outside used to be the last Psychedelic Furs album but thankfully it isn't anymore. What I love about World Outside is that it was produced by Stephen Street (along with The Furs) and he is my favorite producer. He had worked with a few artists I really like, such as The Smiths, Morrissey, and The Cranberries. The first time Stephen got involved with The Psychedelic Furs was in 1988 when he produced the single "All That Money Wants".

7. Talk Talk Talk (1981)

Talk Talk Talk is vocalist Richard Butler's favorite PFurs album and bassist Tim Butler's second favorite. Talk Talk Talk is hailed as a masterpiece by fans and critics and over a decade ago The Furs did a special 30th anniversary tour for the album and performed it in its entirety (and also the other hit songs/fan favorites). I know all of you will disagree with me for putting Talk Talk Talk low on my list, but I want to be clear that I love this album; I just like the others more.

6. The Psychedelic Furs (1980)

Even though Talk Talk Talk was an improvement from The Psychedelic Furs songwriting/melody wise I have to say, in my own opinion, it doesn't have the same magic the first album has. I think what makes the debut so unique is back when it was recorded, The Furs barely knew how to properly play their instruments and they all wanted to be heard at the same time, creating this sound that's famously described as "beautiful chaos"; and Steve Lillywhite, producer of the first two albums, wanted The Psychedelic Furs to sound like a really good live concert of theirs. The music is full of mystery, weirdness, and ambition, and it shows you who The Psychedelic Furs were all about at the time.

5. Mirror Moves (1984)

My mom used to have this album on cassette when she was a teenager and played it all the time. Mirror Moves is in my top 5 and it is indeed a fantastic album. The music, the lyrics, the production, everything about it. This year Mirror Moves celebrates its 40th anniversary and I wrote a blog post about it if you haven't checked it out yet. https://ontomorrowspages.blogspot.com/2024/08/through-looking-glass-40-years-of.html

4. Midnight To Midnight (1987)

Midnight To Midnight isn't a favorite with The Furs and some of the fans but I love it so much. Midnight has a special place in my heart because I got it three days before I first saw The Psychedelic Furs live in 2015. The album takes me back to that time and it holds a lot of very fond memories for me. I have to say the Midnight To Midnight period is my favorite Psychedelic Furs era, mainly because I have a weak spot for those type of punk rock looking clothes the band wore, even though they didn't like it.

3. Book Of Days (1989)

Compared to its predecessor Midnight To Midnight Book Of Days was a return to how The Psychedelic Furs used to be, and the music on the album is much more heavier with a darker tone to it. I remember when I got Book Of Days in 2016 I liked it but I felt it wasn't as good as their other albums. Then later after listening to it more, I started to love it, and it made me realize how awesome the music was. I really love the music on Book Of Days and it's the reason why this album is in third place.

Here we are at number two and it makes me sad for putting this album in second place because it had been my favorite Psychedelic Furs album for a long time. I still love this album very much, but recently I've come to the realization that the other one would become my favorite and take this album's place. Second place is....

2. Forever Now (1982)

Like I said, I still love Forever Now dearly and there are some things that stand out to me about this amazing album. The excellent production by Todd Rundgren, the backing vocals by Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (Flo and Eddie), the addition of different instruments like the cello, synthesizer, and marimba, and how The Furs changed their sound to a whole new level. Tim Butler has stated in many interviews that Forever Now is his favorite PFurs album.

And now, the grand finale, my number one favorite Psychedelic Furs album of all time.

1. Made Of Rain (2020)

In late 2020, Made Of Rain was my third favorite PFurs album. Then in 2022, it became my second favorite, and now in 2024, my number one. I love this album so much, and even after four years I still can't get over how good Made Of Rain is. The record is one of the most beautiful albums I've ever heard and it's truly a work of art for me. It makes me glad The Psychedelic Furs took their time making this album and not rushing it out just to please everyone. The real reason why it took many years for a new PFurs album to come out is because the band was worried that it wouldn't stand up to the previous albums and would receive backlash from the critics and fans. When Made Of Rain was released it thankfully got good reviews and the magazine Vive Le Rock! named it their album of the year.

Congratulations to Made Of Rain for reaching number one, for becoming my favorite Psychedelic Furs album. Maybe my favorite album of all time ever??? Only time will tell...

Behind the Songs: Turn Your Back On Me

A quote from Paul Garisto on the song "Turn Your Back On Me".

Interviewer: "We listened to "Turn Your Back On Me", which is a nice song, but we noticed the lyrics were quite simple. How did you write the chorus to that song? Do you think keeping the lyrics striped down is a good technique for having a good song?" 

Paul Garisto: "I did not write the lyrics to that song. Richard Butler from the Psychedelic Furs wrote the lyrics. I just composed the music and I composed the music first and then sent it to Richard; he wrote the lyrics and his melody and I think you're right about that. It's a pretty simplistic approach lyrically, but in this particular case it works well because the song's lush sounding, especially the chorus. It sounds quite lush and to have that juxtaposition of the lushness against the real simple "turn your back on me", which I think works for that song, it doesn't have to be complicated, right? If you can communicate in a very simple way and communicate emotion, that's the main thing. You don't have to use a lot of words for you to identify with sadness or happiness. I think in this particular case that the simple lyrics really work. It doesn't need to say more than that. It's perfect for what it is." (Coffee Time News 2024)

Concert Ads #48

This advert is kind of a mystery, but from what I looked at Setlist.FM this ad might be from when The Psychedelic Furs performed two nights at Raul's Club in Austin, Texas in October 1980. Tickets were $6.50 in advance, $7.50 at the door.