Islands | ||||
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Studio album by Kajagoogoo/Kaja | ||||
Released | 2004 (CD) | |||
Genre | New wave, pop rock | |||
Length | 39:36 (LP/MC), 69:55 (CD), 34:32 (Extra Play) | |||
Label |
EMI (United Kingdom) EMI America Records (United States) |
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Producer | Colin Thurston & Kajagoogoo | |||
Kajagoogoo/Kaja chronology | ||||
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Alternative cover | ||||
US/Canada cover.
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Singles from Islands | ||||
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Professional ratings | |
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Review scores | |
Source | Rating |
Smash Hits | |
Allmusic | link |
Islands is the second album by the British pop band Kajagoogoo, released on 21 May 1984 on the EMI label. This was the band's first album without lead vocalist Limahl; who had been fired by the band in mid-1983 and went on to pursue a solo career. Bass player Nick Beggs, already the group's main backing singer, took over lead vocal duties, and also wrote the lyrics. The album was co-produced by the band themselves, now a four-piece group, along with Colin Thurston, who had also produced their debut, White Feathers. It is the final album to-date to feature founding drummer Jez Strode.
The album did not sell as well as its predecessor, peaking at no.35 in the UK Albums Chart. The album's first single, "Big Apple", reached no.8 in the UK, but subsequent singles were less successful with "The Lion's Mouth" peaking at no.25, and "Turn Your Back on Me" reaching no.47.
In the U.S., the band had renamed themselves as Kaja and Islands was released as a mini-LP titled Extra Play. It contained only seven tracks (five from the album and two bonus remixes), and peaked at no.185 on the Billboard 200. On the U.S. edition, the version of "Turn Your Back on Me" was different from the original UK version, having been remixed by Steve Thompson and Michael Barbiero. This remix was released as a single in the U.S., and reached Number 2 on the dance charts.