matt sephton

People say they think
But they don't
And they say they will
But they won't
People say they sing
But they don't
And that's all mine

Karl Wallinger's masterpiece, and I don't use that phrase very often.

This is an astonishing pop record. One of the all-time greats.

Such a cool, sophisticated, intelligent pop record. 1989! How time flies.

Anne Dudley did the strings on this album, credited in the sleeve notes. It only takes a brief listen to hear her distinctive strings all over this album.

It's on streaming services since Feb 2024.

Standouts:
- Wilderness
- 24 Hours
- Worldwide
- I Want It Here And I Want It Now

"A Walk Across The Rooftops" is a story of teenage infatuation and the discovery of dating. "Hats" tells the tale of heartbreak, growing up and finding the right girl. "Peace At Last" is a document of adulthood, to put it as simply as I can. As with many other people, I feel this is the most moving collection of music I have ever listened to - it has made me more of a man. This is my personal interpretation of this fantastic album.

The glorious first track, "Happiness", speaks of the wishing, hoping and uncertainty you go through when you hope you have found the right girl - you want to treat her right, but will it last? It does… More

"Hats" tells the tale of heartbreak, growing up and finding the right girl.

This fits beautifully in between the previous album "A Walk Across The Rooftops" which is a story of teenage infatuation and the discovery of dating. And before the most recent album "Peace At Last" which is a document of adulthood, marriage and happy ever after.

Words cannot describe how beautiful and thought provoking this album is. Forget about mainstream pop rock or indie. The three albums by the Blue Nile are all you will ever need.

Perhaps not as easily accessible as the later two Blue Nile albums, "Hats" telling the tale of heartbreak, growing up and finding the right girl and "Peace At Last" documenting adulthood, marriage and happy ever after, "A Walk Across The Rooftops" is still right up there.

The fact that it is close to twenty years old is almost unbelievable. It was a showcase for new technology (Linn drum machines and Compact Disc itself) and it is also a showcase for the most emotional singing and song writing I have ever come across. To not know the Blue Nile is to not know yourself.

For around less than a tenner self discovery comes pretty cheap these days.