Thanks to the kind generosity of my dear buddy Maxwell K, I can now share with you the only North American album by British pop duo Crush. Crush began as Byker Groove, which consisted of three stars of the teen soap Byker Grove. Two of these ladies, Donna Air and Jayni Hoy, then renamed themselves Crush and released the single "Jellyhead", to some success. They recorded an album for Telstar, Teenage Kicks, which was promptly shelved (though it was released in Japan). But thanks to the buzz that the Motiv 8 remix of "Jellyhead" created, US label Robbins wanted to sign the girls. Jayni had left by then, so Luciana Caporaso was recruited (thankfully, as the girls' vocals were lackluster without her, to say the least!). Luciana had already released a few minorly successful solo singles for Chrysalis. A few new songs were recorded with her for the new album, while the songs from Teenage Kicks remained, some in remixed form. Robbins wanted to present the girls with an entirely new image and sound. They went from being punky, poppy teenage trouble, a lot like Shampoo, to dance divas. The new songs had the euro-house sound, then in vogue, and the pop-punk vibe of the original album was diluted. "Jellyhead" became a North American hit, big in Canada and even making an appearance on the Billboard Hot 100. But the follow-ups, "Luv'd Up" and "Love's Hold", made little impression and they split. Donna has since focused on modeling and television work, while Luciana has remained heavily involved in music, being part of groups Shooter and Portobella (awesome!), having huge dance hits singing with Bodyrox, Richard Vission & Static Revenger, Super Mal and David Vendetta, among others, and writing for artists like Kylie and Erika Jayne.Video for Jellyhead
Video for Luv'd Up
Video for Jellyhead (Motiv 8 Mix)
Download Teenage Kicks
| 1 | Jellyhead | |||
| 2 | We Got The Beat (Original Mix) | |||
| 3 | Penthouse Girl, Basement Boy | |||
| 4 | Mexican Moon | |||
| 5 | Teenage Kicks | |||
| 6 | Luv'd Up | |||
| 7 | Picture This | |||
| 8 | Bloody Nose | |||
| 9 | He's Stupid | |||
| 10 | Feels So Fine | |||
| 11 | Jellyhead (Motiv 8 Mix) | |||
| 12 | We Got The Beat (Switch-Back Mix) |
Download Crush
| 1 | Love's Hold | |
| 2 | We'll Find The Sunshine | |
| 3 | Feel So Fine | |
| 4 | Jellyhead (Motiv 8 Mix) | |
| 5 | We Can Make It Happen | |
| 6 | Mexican Moon | |
| 7 | Penthouse Girl, Basement Boy | |
| 8 | Tease Me | |
| 9 | Luv'd Up | |
| 10 | Bloody Nose | |
| 11 | He's Stupid | |
| 12 | We Got The Beat |
Luciana just released a collection in the UK called "Featuring Luciana" of all her recent collaborations!!! I already told you about my fascination w/ Shooter, whom I've always been meaning to feature on Milk Carton Pop Stars. Who knew? Thanks for uploading!!!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Always loved them. I'd already gotten the original version, but now i'm pleased to have the american version as well ^__^
ReplyDeleteI [heart] your site so much!!
Sarah Cracknell of Saint Etienne co-wrote "Penthouse Girl, Basement Boy," is on the UK version of Lipslide and the US EP Kelly's Locker. I love "Jellyhead." I'm not fond of the cover of the Go-Go's "We Got the Beat," though.
ReplyDeleteCan someone please upload the original "Teenage Kicks" album? I have the self-titled one but not the original, and the link below, http://cantstopthepop.blogspot.com/2008/05/crush-teenage-kicks-rare-japanese-album.html , doesn't seem to work.
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Emily
I second that.. This album doesn't work for me either
ReplyDeleteSorry, I seem to have lost the files for Teenage Kicks. I did reup the self-titled album if anyone wants that...
DeleteThe original pop-punk version of "Jellyhead" is awesome! It's so weird that I only found out about this song right now, 18 years late! Thanks to you, Nasty G! :)
ReplyDeleteDonna Air and the other girl did not sing on the crush songs. It was all fake. I remixed the track Luv Dup at the time and it was no secret that it was not them singing. Telstar the label were known for doing such things.
ReplyDeleteI years ago found a photo of Crush performing live, so that answers my question if they done more than studio/music video. I quite liked the single mix of "Love's Hold" from the maxi single but never heard beyond "Luv'd Up" on the radio from the Louisville station circa summer 1997.
ReplyDeletegood albums!
ReplyDelete