After parting from the Soft Boys, British songwriter Robyn Hitchcock initially wasn’t as surefooted about his solo career. While his eccentric, psychedelic taste was reflected in rich, surreal songwriting, finding the right way to present his material was proving to be full of conflict. Perhaps looking to find a more psychedelic reflection in his sound, Hitchcock worked with producer Steve Hillage, formerly of Gong, to fatten it. Hitchcock would end up issuing the album again later in altered form as Groovy Decoy, furthering the notion that he never got comfortable with the presentation. However, while the production is filled with horns and mechanical drum beats fancying up the sound — at times to great effect — the album comes together over some fine permanent Hitchcock staples as evidenced by the nifty new-wave of “Fifty-Two Stations,” the brooding “St. Petersburg,” the yearning “It Was the Night,” the effortless pop of “The Cars She Used to Drive” and “Young People Scream.” Hitchcock’s next effort would be the excellent all-acoustic I Often Dream of Trains, a deliberately stripped down production in reaction to this ornate presentation. Despite Hitchcock’s misgivings, Decay has plenty to recommend.
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