I, Ludicrous were formed in London in 1985 by John Procter and David Rippingale (AKA Will Hung), and soon pulled off the impressive feat of reaching #11 in John Peel's Festive Fifty with their debut flexi release Preposterous Tales. In the intervening two decades, they've released several albums and singles - gathering a loyal cult following along the way - and now, in 2007, they've packaged 34 of the best tracks from these releases together on one shiny, double album - the aforementioned 20 Years In Showbusiness.
20 Years contains some of the funniest lyrical observations around on contemporary* British culture, on subjects ranging from legendary Spitting Image puppet and sometime sports anchor, David Coleman (Quite Extraordinary), to ill-starred, naff soap operas ( Hats Off To Eldorado); from annoying former Thatcherite Sports Miniatures (sic) (Moynihan Brings Out The Hooligan In Me) to the nightmare scenario of being trapped in an elevator with a beardy, grating TV personality ( Stuck In A Lift With Noel Edmonds). There's even a song about the band's guru - him from The Fall (I've Never Been Hit By Mark E. Smith).
*well, a lot of these songs were written in the 80s and early 90s, but obviously they'd have been contemporary at the time.
Here are a couple of my favourite tracks, anyway. Have a listen and see what you think.
I, Ludicrous - Preposterous Tales mp3 (left click - up for 7 days)
I, Ludicrous - Quite Extraordinary mp3 (ditto)
20 Years In Showbusiness is available from Play.com for £10.99, or for a bargain £10.98 from Amazon. (but if you really shop around you might even be able to pick up a copy for £10.97 - who knows??)
Seriously, this album is great value for money and a cracking listen to boot. Highly recommended!
The I, Ludicrous website
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