Syd Straw ‎– Surprise [Advance] CD PROMO Snapper Disc

Straw was one of the wonderfully dizzy sounding female voices on The Golden Palominos album Visions of Excess. That 1985 release included Micheal Stipe of R.E.M. who with Straw were featured on one of the album’s highlights “(Kind Of) True”. It would be towards the end of the decade before the two would meet again on Straw’s debut album Surprise.

It was 1989 and Micheal Stipe was as big as any of the Micheals that were big that year. He could be heard on Straws first hit, “The Future Looks Like the 40s”. The lighthearted song was a far cry from the edgy songs she performed with The Golden Palominos.

Surprise was refreshing in that way. Straw who had a free-hearted easy-going style and a very casual appearance would be in sharp contrast to the earthy bitter folk rock singers who would follow in her wake. Surprise was also boosted by the appearance of Daniel Lanios who produced and co-wrote “Golden Dreams”. The song was one of the more introspective and personal moments on the album. Lanios distinct guitar ambiance worked perfectly with Straw’s almost country-like delivery. It was also the closing track of an album that was made up mostly of mid to up tempo songs, any one of which could have been on the radio.

But it wasn’t so, even with concessions to more mainstream pop styles like on the rhythmic “Crazy American”. With the success of the single ‘Future 40s (String Of Pearls) on the then new Billboard Modern Rock, Syd Straw’s impact would go beyond the modest success of Surprise.

Soon, Straw she would be joined many other female folk rock singer-song writers, many of whom like Joan Osbourne or Sarah McLachlan would eclipse her in notoriety. By the end of the ’90s what started as folk rock influenced had blossomed into a (pretentious) crop talented performers like Natalee Merchant and Tori Amos.

Label: Virgin

Country: UK & US

Media Condition: Near Mint (NM or M-)
Sleeve Condition: Very Good Plus (VG+)

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