Hine

Thinkman - The Formula (1986)
(Rupert Hine)
EAC AccurateRip | APE, IMG+CUE, LOG | 259,6 MB | MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 91,1 MB | Complete Scans (300 dpi) | 10,7 MB
New Wave, Synth-Pop | Label: Island | Catalog Number: 257 723-222 | Time: 42:55 | RAR | RS.com

Three years after his solo album The Wildest Wish to Fly, pop producer and songwriter Rupert Hine came back under the disguise of the pseudo-group Thinkman. The three musicians who accompanied him in interviews and lip-sync performances were actors, the whole project becoming a concept revolving around media manipulation. The Formula, Thinkman's first album, sticks close to this idea (the title track begins with the lines "It's an interview/But it's a second take"). During the early '80s, Hine followed an evolution that led him from disturbing art pop to intelligent but more commercial songs. The Formula is pretty much middle-of-the-road but has a harder edge than the singer's previous LP. Songs like the title track "The Ecstasy of Free Thought" and "The Days of a Champion" are fueled by newly found energy and feature the hook-filled melodies that made Hine an important part of England's '80s pop music. More importantly, there are no weaker tracks, no jumping off the bandwagon for a quick one. As far as concept pop albums go, this one is particularly successful. The Fixx's James West-Oram provided guitar tracks and Stewart Copeland (ex-The Police) plays some real drums whenever the producer felt the machine was not enough – they are both featured on the closer "There Shines Our Promised Land." This album is more than a marketing curiosity, it can be considered as an essential part of Hine's discography. AMG

Thinkman - Life Is A Full Time Occupation (1988)
(Rupert Hine)
EAC Rip | APE, IMG+CUE, LOG | 260,6 MB | MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 89,4 MB | Complete Scans (300 dpi) | 10,2 MB
New Wave, Synth-Pop | Label: Island | Catalog Number: 258 894 | Time: 42:19 | RAR | RS.com

The second album by Rupert Hine's fake group Thinkman, Life Is a Full Time Occupation expanded the theme of media manipulation that was its main objective, but only halfheartedly. The topic was wearing thin. "Watchman, Walkman, Thinkman," "Willpower," and "Voices in Local Time" do complement well the material found on The Formula (and to a certain extent they could be leftovers). This verse from "Voices in Local Time" sums up the message Hine was trying to get through: "Don't trust in the slogan/Don't fall for the line/They'll be eating your mind." The other songs mostly fall in the category of mid-'80s dance-pop tunes: simple, light, somehow uninvolved. Hine is a careful producer and a good songwriter, so even when he aims low he hits the target, but fans of his usually intelligent (even intellectual) pop will be disappointed by "Never a Tear" and "Dance Yourself Sane," which both sound closer to Thomas Dolby circa Aliens Ate My Buick than vintage Hine. He would strike a better balance for Thinkman's final album, Hard Hat Zone. Chester Kayman and the Fixx's James West-Oram contribute good guitar parts but they are not enough to raise the level of this weaker effort. AMG

Bob Geldof - The Vegetarians of Love
FLAC, EAC, LOG & CUE | Lossless Artwork | Size: 462 MB
Label/Cat#: Mercury 846 250-2 | Country/Year: Europe 1990
Genre: Rock, Folk Rock | Hoster: Filesonic/Uploaded/Wupload

Geldof returns after a four-year absence with his second solo release, The Vegetarians of Love. Again, there are some high-profile guests including Paul Carrack, Kevin Godley, and Dave Stewart, but this Rupert Hine-produced affair has a low-key feel to it. Geldof applies his Dylanesque croak to a set that is very heavy on Irish-folk influences with rich results…

Bob Geldof - The Vegetarians of Love
FLAC, EAC, LOG & CUE | Full Artwork | Size: 462 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Mercury # 846 250-2 | Country/Year: Europe 1990
Genre: Folk, Rock, Pop | Hoster: Folk Rock, Pop Rock

Geldof returns after a four-year absence with his second solo release, The Vegetarians of Love. Again, there are some high-profile guests including Paul Carrack, Kevin Godley, and Dave Stewart, but this Rupert Hine-produced affair has a low-key feel to it. Geldof applies his Dylanesque croak to a set that is very heavy on Irish-folk influences with rich results…

Thinkman - Hard Hat Zone (1990)
(Rupert Hine)
EAC Rip | APE, IMG+CUE, LOG | 258,8 MB | MP3 CBR 320 Kbps | 96,2 MB | Complete Scans (300 dpi) | 14,6 MB
New Wave, Synth-Pop | Label: BMG Ariola | Catalog Number: 260 645 | Time: 45:32 | RAR | RS.com

The third and last album by Rupert Hine under the disguise of the ghost group Thinkman, Hard Hat Zone walks away from the subjects of media manipulation and information games. Most of the pieces, still written by Hine with lyrics by Jeannette Obstoj, deal with environmental themes, with titles like "Mother Nature's Angry" and "November Whale" being quite explicit. The tone becomes vehement but also preachy in the solemn "Take Them to the Traitors' Gate," dedicated to Prince Charles (his involvement with environmental causes was avant-gardist at a time when it was not yet fashionable). The songs don't have the impact and hook-laden melodies of those on The Formula, but the singer/producer still did a good job. One can discard the failed hit single "Hard Hat Zone" to concentrate on "Who's Winning the Human Race?," "Act of Love," and "Exploring This World (Without Moving Too Much)." Geoffrey Richardson (Caravan) and Phil Palmer (Penguin Café Orchestra) add viola and guitar to Hine's keyboard tracks, but overall this album remains in the synth pop realm. Production is impeccable and even when not particularly inspired the man was able to churn out good songs, but Hard Hat Zone is more for the completist than the casual listener. AMG

Bob Geldof – The Vegetarians Of Love
EAC+LOG+CUE | FLAC: 358 MB | Full Artwork: 127 MB | 5% Recovery Info
Label/Cat#: Mercury # 846 250-2 | Country/Year: Europe 1990
Genre: Rock, Pop, Folk | Style: Folk Rock, Pop Rock

Geldof returns after a four-year absence with his second solo release, The Vegetarians of Love. Again, there are some high-profile guests including Paul Carrack, Kevin Godley, and Dave Stewart, but this Rupert Hine-produced affair has a low-key feel to it. Geldof applies his Dylanesque croak to a set that is very heavy on Irish-folk influences with rich results. (…) A commercial flop on both sides of the Atlantic, this album is, nonetheless, a joyous romp from start to finish.