Sneaky Feelings' 1984 debut album
Send You showed off a different side of the Flying Nun sound of the time. While other bands like
the Clean were scruffy and
Velvet Underground-influenced,
Sneaky Feelings were more sophisticated musically, looking to
the Beatles for inspiration and sounding not unlike some of their overseas contemporaries like
Orange Juice and
Prefab Sprout. Their arrangements are thoughtfully constructed, their emotions are parceled out dramatically, and the overall presentation isn't too far from that of nearby neighbors
the Go-Betweens, which is high praise. The record is loaded from top to bottom with thoughtful, poignant jangle pop songs that tug forcefully on heartstrings while still being catchy enough to hum in the shower. All four members of the band write and sing, and it appears that they all brought their best songs to the album.
Send You feels like a hits collection, balancing melancholy ballads like "Waiting for Touchdown" and the absolutely classic "Not to Take Sides" with quietly tender midtempo delights ("Everything I Want") and bright and bouncy indie pop ("Someone Else's Eyes"). Not a weak song in the bunch, a couple (like "Not to Take Sides" and the insistently dirge-y "Throwing Stones") are classic Flying Nun, certainly among the best tracks the legendary label ever released. In fact,
Send You rates right at the top of all the many great albums the label released over their long run as a purveyor of first-rate indie pop and rock.
Sneaky Feelings are sometimes overlooked when people talk about Flying Nun, but
Send You is the first exhibit in the case for why they shouldn't be. Beyond that,
Send You makes a strong case that
Sneaky Feelings were among the best pop bands of the '80s, no matter what part of the world they came from or what label released their records. [The album was reissued in 2015 with added tracks by the team of Flying Nun and Captured Tracks. Included are three songs from a 1990 radio session that showed the band still functioning at a high level, the A-side of their 1983 "Be My Friend" single, and all three songs from their sublime 1985 EP Husband House. The title track is possibly the most beautiful song Flying Nun ever released, and one Paddy McAloon no doubt wishes he could have written. Again more proof that
Sneaky Feelings are worth seeking out for all fans of smart and tender '80s pop.] ~ Tim Sendra