Perspex Island

Perspex Island
Studio album by Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians
Released	1991
Genre	Alternative rock
Label	Go! Discs
Producer	Paul Fox
Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians chronology
Eye (1990) Perspex Island (1991) Respect 1993

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[1]
Entertainment Weekly	B+[2]

Perspex Island is the tenth album by Robyn Hitchcock and his sixth with backing band, The Egyptians, released on Go! Discs in 1991.

The group's third under their contract to A&M Records, it contains eleven Hitchcock originals. It was recorded in Los Angeles in 1991, and features guest appearances by Hitchcock fans Michael Stipe and Peter Buck of R.E.M.. The associated single "So You Think You're in Love" peaked #1 on the Modern Rock Tracks chart in the U.S.^[3]

The album carries a Hitchcock oil painting on its front cover, depicting the mythological figure Thoth, which The Egyptians had once used as a group logo.

Track listing

All tracks composed by Robyn Hitchcock

1. "Oceanside" — 3:48
2. "So You Think You're in Love" — 2:34
3. "Birds in Perspex" — 3:54
4. "Ultra Unbelievable Love" — 3:49
5. "Vegetation and Dimes" — 4:58
6. "Lysander" — 4:36
7. "Child of the Universe" — 4:21
8. "She Doesn't Exist" — 4:25
9. "Ride" — 5:04
10. "If You Go Away" — 4:55
11. "Earthly Paradise" — 6:34

Reception

The album has received generally positive reviews, though it was not as well-received as many of Hitchcock's other albums. Stewart Mason's review for AllMusic stated the "glossy sound doesn't obscure the typically high quality of Hitchcock's songs, and there are times...where the two complement each other perfectly".^[1] Gina Arnold's 1991 review for Entertainment Weekly claimed, "Longtime fans...may find they miss Hitchcock's impenetrable surreal lyrics, which always seemed to mask deep and moving insights" though she named "Ultra Unbelievable Love" and "Earthly Paradise" as highlights.^[2] Spin found the "weird background vocals" on "Child of the Universe" an annoying moment.^[4]

References

1. Allmusic review
2. Entertainment Weekly review - 1991
3. Lanham, Tom (1998-02-07), "Robyn's Stark Fantasy World", San Francisco Chronicle Check date values in: |year= / |date= mismatch (help)
4. Spin Vol. 7, No. 6 Sep 1991 p.91 "ROBYN. HITCHCOCK. &. THE. EGYPTIANS. Perspex Island A&M Robyn Hitchcock's art-punk rock band the Soft Boys ... (although there are a few annoying moments, like the weird background vocals oh "Child of the Universe").