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From Langley Park To Memphis | 
 enlarge | Artist: Prefab Sprout
Label: Columbia
Category: Music
List Price: £8.99
Buy New: £4.51
You Save: £4.48 (50%)
New (25) Used (9) Collectible (2) from £1.50
Rating:  10 reviews
Sales Rank: 14312
Media: Audio CD
Discs: 1
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.2
Dimensions (in): 5.6 x 5 x 0.5
EAN: 5099746012427
ASIN: B000025TJB
Release Date: May 19, 1997
Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days
Condition: EXCESS STOCK SOURCED FROM MAJOR UK RETAILER,DISPATCH IN 3-4 WORKING DAYS
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| Tracks:
| • | King Of Rock 'n' Roll | | • | Cars And Girls | | • | I Remember That | | • | Enchanted | | • | Nightingales | | • | Hey Manhattan | | • | Knock On Wood | | • | Golden Calf | | • | Nancy Let Your Hair Down For Me | | • | Venus Of The Soup Kitchen |
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| Customer Reviews: Read 5 more reviews...
One of the least "cool" albums ever made. I like it! December 10, 2007
New Gold Dreamer (Enfield, England)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
Best tracks: "Knock on Wood", "Cars and Girls", "Nightingales".
From Langley Park to Memphis is the loud, gaudy, Technicolor, widescreen alternative to Steve McQueen's gentle, aching eloquence. Indeed, "The King of Rock and Roll", what with its massive Thomas Dolby production, bonkers chorus refrain and dancing hot dogs & frog-headed waiter dominated video, made the band as close to a household name as they'd ever get and yet introduced the slightly glutinous, overdone sound that they'd never quite abandon from here on in. Often, this new direction resulted in some wonderful songs, but personally I prefer the feel of Steve McQueen and Protest Songs; the latter was originally going to be the official third Prefab album. Instead it was shelved in favour for this, since that album was regarded as too similar to its predecessor, whereas From Langley Park to Memphis is as different to Steve McQueen as that album was to Swoon. In terms of refusing to stay still, this album does represent a fresh new start for the band; it's also the point where they turned from sweet to sugary, and for some, this confection might prove a little too much.
Anyway, "The King of Rock and Roll", which is still the best known Prefab Sprout song (and that's probably the reason it annoys me a little, as something like "When Love Breaks Down" or "Appetite" deserves that honour), is lyrically as clever and witty as the best Prefab songs, and it definitely made for an ear-catching, distinctive single, though the musical execution might drive you nuts if you're not in the mood for its intentionally zany approach. "Cars and Girls" is much better, a wistful, gentle dig at Bruce Springsteen's lyrical world of highways, hot rods and love that might rub more humourless fans of the Boss up the wrong way. "I Remember That" is a little too sickly-sweet, though as ever the lyrics are great; "Enchanted" however is pretty good; bouncy, fun and one of the album's better examples of using a bigger production to good effect. Now, "Nightingales" is the clincher; grotesquely sentimental or unashamedly gorgeous? The fact that there's a Stevie Wonder harmonica solo of all things (and yes, it sounds EXACTLY what you'd expect a Stevie Wonder harmonica solo to sound like) somewhere in the middle doesn't sound promising. Yet it swirls, swoons and glides wonderfully (especially in the lovely chorus), and the song itself is good to survive in any incarnation, be it as an acoustic lullaby or as the blockbusting production it is here. Recently, Paddy McAloon contributed a set of acoustic re-workings of some of Steve McQueen's songs for its 2-CD reissue; he should definitely do the same for some of the songs on this album too.
The Hollywood musical-esque "Hey Manhattan!" is borderline parody/pastiche; given the often surprisingly sober and unsentimental content of some of his earlier lyrics, I'm never quite sure if McAloon's love for New York here is genuine or if he's having a laugh. If he is, it's definitely a very deadpan joke. I don't find myself listening to this one much on its own, but in the context of the album, I suppose it works. One song that I definitely listen to a lot is "Knock on Wood", which is not a cover of the 1970's disco staple but rather a splendidly dry, musically luscious tale of infidelity which I suppose covers the same ground as "Appetite" did a few years back, but does it almost as well. In fact, I'd say this might be the best song here. Another song on this album that divides opinion is "The Golden Calf"; if "Cars and Girls" poked fun at Springsteen, then this song actually tries to imitate the man himself, both vocally and musically. Some have lamented this song as unconvincing, but I think it rocks pretty damn well! The chorus is a thriller (and the mid-section even more so) and McAloon's "I sound so different these days!" yell near the end is a pretty accurate summing-up of the whole album. "Nancy (Let Your Hair Down for Me)" is very nice too, with a dreamy chorus, while "The Venus of the Soup Kitchen" is an okay closer; like "Hey Manhattan!" it sounds like the soundtrack to an imaginary musical!
I started off writing this review wanting to dismiss this album as a disappointment, but that's only when compared to the mighty Steve McQueen, which really is one of the greatest albums ever made and Prefab Sprout's undoubted masterpiece. How do I rate it? Compared to Steve McQueen, it deserves three stars. On its own terms, it deserves to edge just past the four star mark; From Langley Park to Memphis is an entertaining (if patchy), versatile and colourful album that's about as far from `cool' music as possible, but what's genuinely cool about only liking so-called cool music in the first place? Listen for yourself, but be careful; make sure this sugar-sweet album doesn't rot your teeth in the process!
 HOT DOGS! JUMPING FROGS??? May 2, 2007
Mr. Nathan Armstrong
1 out of 3 found this review helpful
After the absolutely amazing "steve mcqeen" the album "langley park to memphis" sees the beloved sprouts trying new sounds..some work some dont!
the album opens with "king of rock and roll" the sprouts only top 10 single..and im afraid to say one of the few tracks i dont particularly like..the inane chorus (although so catchy you hear it once you will never forget it) ruins it..or makes it...the verses are great paddy but then a nonsensical chorus...you cant help but sing along but there is no depth!
"cars and girls" was the first single and stalled in the charts at no.44 it has the trademarks of a great prefab track and sounds a lot more like the singles from "steve mcqueen"...one of my favourites!!!
"i remember that" "enchanted" and "hey manhattan" are full of the trademark prefab sound of summer and great tracks...""nightingales" is another strong track it has a christmas feel to it a.k.a "whams 'last christmas!'
the last 4 tracks are more experimental..where they branching out or getting lost in the dream to break the usa? "knock on wood" with its reggae feel doesnt feel right.."golden calf" has some great guitar riffs but something is missing..."nancy" is a pretty lovesong but forgettable..."venus" sounds like a showtune...very nice but nothing wondeful!
this may have been the best selling prefab sprout but it is by no means the best....still a good album but after "steve mcqueen" a disappointment!
Sweet talk ,like candy, rots........ July 27, 2005
M. A. Reilly
3 out of 6 found this review helpful
For me,this is where the rot started to set in for the Sprouts.After the edgy'Swoon'(loaded with promise)and the near perfect 'Steve McQueen,Paddy McAloon had established a reputation as probably the finest song writer of the decade. Although containing some classy writing and catchy tunes there is an overall impression of sugariness to this album.There are some great redeeming moments(Cars and Girls,Venus of the Soup Kitchen and the Sprouts finest Rock & Roller 'The Golden Calf')but the syrupy overlay to these tracks eg Nightingales is the thin end of a wedge which pervaded later albums.
 Sprouts are a matter of good taste... May 1, 2005
EyeSerene
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
This review is being written over 15 years after I bought my original 'From Langley Park to Memphis' on cassette tape: on the long-overdue occasion of its replacement by CD. The original was bought after hearing 'King of Rock 'n Roll' on the radio and thinking "that sounds like fun". Boy - if I had known what I was getting myself into!Of all the Sprouts' albums (and I do have them all), this is for me one of the best. The sheer range of themes and styles sweeps the listener from the orchestral 'Manhattan' through the poignant 'Nightingales' to the slightly tongue-in-cheek 'Cars and Girls' without losing either ones interest or engagement. The lyrics are consistently intelligent without the impenetrability of some of the Sprouts earlier work, and Paddy never insults or cajoles his audience - just gently guides them (or perhaps 'seduces' would be a better word) through his emotional journey. I would defy any true romantic to hear 'I Remember That' without a sigh and a nod towards past loves long lost, or not to smile at the 'Venus of the Soup Kitchen' and wonder where to sign up. Call it 'sophistipop' or 'intellipop' or whatever strange polyglot combination catalogues use to cram artists into a box; say they sound a bit like Blue Nile or Big Dish or some other band that makes their own way off the beaten track through the maze of life: Prefab Sprout are unique. Of course, I'm already a fan, so you'd expect a good review. But don't miss the point - it was this album that made me a fan in the first place.
For every fan that dos'nt like this they'll be that does March 6, 2004
Jonathan Coates
1 out of 6 found this review helpful
This album was the first Prefab Sprout album I owned and since then I've acquired there 38 Carat Collection but From Langley Park To Memphis is my favourite. There is'nt one track on it I dislike. It has some clever ballads such as "Nancy" and "The Venus Of The Soup Kitchen". This album is what makes Prefab Sprout appeal to everyone and in so doing makes them special!.
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