Believe You Me


Believe You Me is the third studio album by the English synth-pop duo Blancmange, released on 14 October 1985 on LP and cassette by London Records, followed by compact disc on 2 December 1985. A remastered edition was released by Edsel Records in 2008, which featured the album along with four bonus tracks.

Critical reception

Upon release, Simon Braithwaite of Smash Hits stated: "Blancmange have come back with a selection of songs so varied yet simple that they make the whole thing seem practically effortless. Still there are the infernally catchy synthesized dance tracks and ballads but they've also introduced a lot more string arrangements." Mark Booker of Number One commented: "One of the few 'synth' bands who realise that the synth can't do everything, Blancmange have roped in a horde of guest artistes to complement their fine talents and serve up a delicious platter." Billboard stated: "Synth duo gets some help from friends, most notably guitarist David Rhodes, but their relaxed sound proves a little too relaxed to encourage listener involvement, despite some fine playing."
In a retrospective review, Bill Cassel of AllMusic wrote: "Believe You Me is leaner, subtler, and more organic, without straying too far from their established sound. Neil Arthur's vocals are stronger, and his and Stephen Luscombe's songwriting is more focused. The result might best be described as "mature techno-pop"." Paul Scott-Bates of Louder Than War considered the album to be "filled with absolute gems and remains truly underrated to this day". He added: "Produced by Stewart Levine, it raised the bar in terms of sparkling production and should have seen the band catapulted into the next level of success."

Track listing

All songs written by Neil Arthur and Stephen Luscombe.

LP: LONLP 10

Side one

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:09
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:48
  4. "I [Can See It|Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?]" – 4:35
  5. "22339" – 5:23

Side two

  1. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:35
  2. "Believe" – 3:49
  3. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  4. "Other Animals" – 4:19
  5. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back" – 3:31
  6. "John" – 4:16

CD: 820 301–2

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:09
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:13
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:48
  4. "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:35
  5. "22339" – 5:23
  6. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:35
  7. "Believe" – 3:49
  8. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  9. "Other Animals" – 4:19
  10. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back!" – 3:31
  11. "John" – 4:16

2008 Edsel – Remastered CD: EDSS 1027

  1. "Lose Your Love" – 4:04
  2. "What's Your Problem?" – 4:09
  3. "Paradise Is" – 3:49
  4. "Why Don't They Leave Things Alone?" – 4:36
  5. "22339" – 7:01
  6. "Don't You Love It All" – 4:32
  7. "Believe" – 3:48
  8. "Lorraine's My Nurse" – 2:31
  9. "Other Animals" – 4:33
  10. "No Wonder They Never Made It Back!" – 4:33
  11. "John" – 4:24
  12. "Side Two" – 7:50*
  13. "Mixing on the Ceiling" – 7:08*
  14. "I Can See It " – 7:54*
  15. "Scream Down the House" – 4:07*
  • Bonus Tracks* 12–15

Personnel

Musicians

Additional musicians

Production

"22339" and "No Wonder They Never Made It Back" produced by Neil Arthur & John Williams
"John" produced by Stephen Luscombe
  • Engineered by Femi J
  • Assistant Engineers: Karl Lever
Pete Griffiths
Stephen Street
Johnny Schinas
David Kemp
Phil Bodger
  • Management by Paul Williams, Paul Smith and Jolyan Burnham
  • 'Mask' construction by Annie Symons @ Manifest
  • Photography by Mike Owen
  • Designs by Assorted Images