Back in late 2020 I had written my top favorite PFurs albums but now after almost two years I am updating this ranking. Looking back, I feel like I shouldn't have made the first list so soon after when Made Of Rain came out but I thought my choices would stay the same for years. Although on this updated list nothing has really changed except in the top 3. I can't wait to share with you all and hope you enjoy!
Here is the updated ranking of my Top 8 Favorite Psychedelic Furs albums!
8. World Outside (1991)
It's hard to believe that for many years 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 there will be people who 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 actually used to have this album on cassette and played it all the time. Out of all the Psychedelic Furs albums, Mirror Moves is the most 80s sounding but it doesn't make it feel dated. I love how 80s the album sounds, with the production, keyboards, etc., and the music is uplifting and makes you feel good. I have two copies of Mirror Moves on vinyl; the first is the original vinyl and the second is a Record Store Day exclusive from 2015, with the color of the record being purple. What's cool about the latter is it was autographed by the band!
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. It's so good!
Here we are at second place and before we go any further, I want to say that the last two albums here are my absolute favorites. I had a difficult time choosing which album's my number one, and it was hard for me because it's like picking your favorite child. Those albums have their own style and I love them both for different reasons, but in the end I had to make the final decision. Here's my second favorite Psychedelic Furs album...
2. Made Of Rain (2020)
When I made the first list Made Of Rain used to be at number three but now it's in second place. I still can't get over how awesome this album is, and it is a thing of beauty, a work of art. The music is one of the best I've ever heard and it's even better than the music on Book Of Days, which for me that's saying a lot! Like Midnight To Midnight, Made Of Rain holds a lot of special memories because I remember the excitement I felt when it was coming out and it was such an exciting time to be a fan, even though unfortunately the pandemic happened. And I'll never forget the first time I got to hear the album and I was overcome with emotion while listening. It's hard to believe The Psychedelic Furs came out with a new album after all these years and the wait was definitely worth it. If I made a list of my top 10 favorite albums of all time, Made Of Rain would be on there. I am serious. I want to again thank The Psychedelic Furs for making this beautiful album and you all did an awesome job with it.
And finally here's my number one favorite Psychedelic Furs album!
1. Forever Now (1982)
Like I said earlier, it was tough on deciding between this album and Made Of Rain but when I think about The Psychedelic Furs' albums, my mind always keeps going to Forever Now. Forever Now has been my favorite PFurs album for seven years and there are a couple things that make it stand out for me. It's one of the very first PFurs albums I got when I started being a fan, and the album itself; with the music, the amazing production by Todd Rundgren, the addition of backing vocalists Mark Volman and Howard Kaylan (Flo and Eddie), the 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 album.
A month ago Tears For Fears' seventh album The Tipping Point came out and seeing all the promotion for it made me miss the exciting time when Made Of Rain was going to be released. I heard that The Psychedelic Furs are preparing to work on another album and I can't wait to see what will happen next for the band. I really hope "Evergreen" will be included on the new album because it deserves to be on it; I love that song so much.
Anyway, thank you for reading and see you next time!
