The Teardrop Explodes emerged in the late 70's from Liverpool in the UK and came from a loose scene that also included groups such as Echo & The Bunnymen, Wah! Heat, Moderneon and Those Naughty Lumps. Teardrop Explodes were more or less led by singer bassist Julian Cope. The group issued two singles for the independent Zoo label before hooking up with Mercury Records in 1980.
Teardrop's debut album Kilimanjaro was issued in the UK in 1980 and it was a sensational album that surely must rank as the debut debut album in rock history. It was a confident album that stood out from it's upfront use of trumpets. The album had that power of groups like The Jam and melody and arrangements of American West Coast groups like Love and The Doors.
Kilimanjaro was loaded back to front with strong songs such as Treason, Ha Ha! I'm Drowning, Sleeping Gas, The Thief Of Baghdad, Went Crazy and When I Dream (among others.) The album was given a remix and new cover in 1981. It also added the group's 1981 top 10 single Reward (possibly Teardrop's finest moment.
Kilimanjaro has been re-issued many times over the years. It's an album that sounds as fresh today as it did in 1980.
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