The Wonder Stuff - Hup (1LP)

Released in October 1989, Hup is the second studio album by English

alternative rock band The Wonder Stuff - Issued by Polydor Records and

produced by Pat Collier, it followed their successful debut, The Eight Legged

Groove Machine (1988), and marked a significant step forward in the band's

development - The album features Miles Hunt (vocals and guitar), Malcolm

Treece (guitar and vocals), Rob Jones (bass) and Martin Gilks (drums),

alongside new member Martin Bell, whose fiddle and banjo broadened the

group's sound - This 180g vinyl re-issue faithfully replicates the original

Polydor UK pressing.

Musically, Hup retains the energetic guitars, driving rhythms and sharp-edged humour

of the debut, while introducing greater variety through folk-influenced instrumentation

and more melodic arrangements. Songs such as "30 Years in the Bathroom", "Radio

Ass Kiss", "Golden Green" and "Don't Let Me Down, Gently" demonstrate the band's

ability to combine catchy melodies with irreverent lyrics. "Unfaithful" provides a

gentler contrast, while "Cartoon Boyfriend" showcases the contribution of Bell's

additional instrumentation.

The album produced two notable singles, "Don't Let Me Down, Gently" and "Golden

Green". The former reached number 19 on the UK Singles Chart, helping raise the

band's profile. Hup proved commercially successful, reaching number five on the UK

Albums Chart and subsequently achieving gold certification in Britain.

The album consolidated The Wonder Stuff's position within the late-1980s British

alternative rock scene and paved the way for their 1991 release, Never Loved Elvis.

Tracks: 30 Years In The Bathroom / Radio Ass Kiss / Golden Green / Let's Be Other

People / Piece Of Sky / Can't Shape Up / Don't Let Me Down, Gently / Cartoon

Boyfriend / Good Night Though / Unfaithful / Them, Big Oak Trees / Room 410