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Choke
Pop · 1990 · 12 tracks

Choke

The Beautiful South

A 1990 pop album blending catchy melodies with sharp, cynical observations on British life, featuring distinctive dual male/female vocals.

October 29, 1990 · Thomsun Original

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Choke by The Beautiful South offers a quintessential slice of early 90s British pop, characterized by its deceptively sweet melodies masking a deeply cynical and observational lyrical core. The album is a masterclass in juxtaposition, where bright, hummable tunes are paired with narratives exploring the mundane, the melancholic, and the often-unflattering aspects of human nature and societal norms. The interplay between Paul Heaton's distinctive baritone and Briana Corrigan's clear, soaring alto creates a dynamic vocal tapestry, often acting as a dialogue or counterpoint to the album's wry themes.

Tracklist · 12 Tracks
01
Tonight I Fancy Myself
3:27
02
My Book
3:19
03
Let Love Speak Up Itself
5:05
04
Should’ve Kept My Eyes Shut
3:27
05
I’ve Come for My Award
3:15
06
Lips
1:12
07
I Think the Answer's Yes
5:16
08
A Little Time
3:00
09
Mother’s Pride
2:03
10
I Hate You (But You’re Interesting)
3:47
11
The Rising of Grafton Street
3:06
12
What You See Is What You Get
4:28
Moments Worth Listening For
The seamless transition between Paul Heaton's wry lead and Briana Corrigan's soaring harmony on a particularly biting chorus.
A sudden, lush string arrangement swelling beneath an otherwise sparse verse, adding unexpected emotional depth.
The way a seemingly upbeat pop melody is undercut by a particularly sharp, cynical lyrical couplet, creating a jarring but effective contrast.
A precise, understated bassline carrying the emotional weight of a track, allowing the vocals to float above.
Reviews
AllMusic
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Where This Album DepartsEach spoke is a trait. The orange shape shows where this album pulls away from — or holds to — the rest of the artist’s catalogue. Tap for more.

How does Choke sound next to the rest of The Beautiful South's catalogue?

Rainy Day+0.8σ

Rainy Day saturates this record a touch more than the artist's norm.

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