The Sin of Pride

After the stylistic divergence of their third album, *Positive Touch*, The Undertones decided to get even weirder with *The Sin of Pride*. It’s the most challenging album in their catalog. Covers such as Leon Ware’s “Got To Have You Back” and Smokey Robinson’s “Save Me” turn the band’s original punk-pop attack into a deeper soul groove that reflects the maturity of the bands around them, in particular, Paul Weller’s Style Council. The new terrain would lead to the end of the band. The album was not a commercial success and the band’s mood turned dark. Singer Feargal Sharkey left for a solo career. However, this made for the perfect ending to a band known for its tough standards, and it’s a shame more people didn’t hear and embrace this album upon its initial release. “Love Before Romance,” Bye Bye Baby Blue” and “The Love Parade” are exquisite tunes. The ground they cover is without peer, an unusual mix of psychedelic twists and turns brought together in a very 1980s, New Romantic way.