Rough Trade - For Those That Think Young
#632
By Chris Roberts
December 30 1981
Rough Trade
For Those That Think Young
Genre: Synth Pop
Allen’s Rating: 2 out of 5
Chris’ Rating: 3 out of 5
Rough Trade, the musical act, is known for explicit, bondage-themed rock that verges on theatrical camp. Divine of Pink Flamingos fame appeared on stage with them! Rough Trade’s biggest hit, “High School Confidential,” reminds me of The Rocky Horror Picture Show—I’ve danced the Time Warp after midnight, although I don’t consider myself a big fan. I see musicals reluctantly (La La Land and Umbrellas of Cherbourg are two I love). Even with all the hype, I’ve never seen Book of Mormon, Mamma Mia or Hamilton—I’m saving my money for the Planet of the Apes musical (I love you, Dr. Zaius!). Back to Rough Trade. “High School Confidential” is the only Rough Trade song I was even vaguely aware of, and while it was a hit in 1981, it’s not on this album—it’s on 1980’s Avoid Freud (previously reviewed by Paul Zickler). This album, which RT planned to call For Those That Think Jung, is their follow up, and kicks off with their second biggest hit, “All Touch.” You might not remember “All Touch” from 1981, because it didn’t arrive in the US until 1983, and peaked at number 58—I know I didn’t.
Compared to “High School Confidential,” everything on FTTTY, including “All Touch,” sounds 80’s generic. The exception is Carole Pope’s over-the-top vocals. I don’t get everything she’s singing about, but Pope sounds entertaining, and I bet the live shows were crazy. The more I read about Rough Trade, the more I felt like FTTTY doesn’t seem like a good document of their legacy. The album feels more like a bid for mainstream airplay, where all the fun edges have been taken off—but I suspect that many Rough Trade fans were eager to see themselves represented in mainstream entertainment.
https://open.spotify.com/album/422Q3aZiasLfXGBq4nsASb?si=gQjpmpn2TQSV7dTnxgw_UA
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