The creative style of Everything but the Girl, whose peak of popularity was in the 1990s of the last century, cannot be called in one word. Talented musicians did not limit themselves. You can hear jazz, rock and electronic motives in their compositions.
Critics have attributed their sound to the indie rock and pop movement. Each new album of the group differed in its composition and content, opening up new facets for the fans of the group and expanding the boundaries of conscious musical horizons.
Beginning of Everything but the Girl history
The stars began to converge when the future duo in the face of Tracy Thorne and Ben Watt almost simultaneously decided to enter Univesity of Hull. Ben was interested in philosophy, while Tracy chose English literature.
Both had already had minor success musically. Tracy was a member of the all-female post-punk band Marine Girls. He managed to release a full-fledged album and disperse due to disappointment in the chosen direction.
Ben also released a solo album through Cherry Red. The acquaintance of future partners took place on an autumn evening in a bar at the university. A long conversation revealed not only the similarity of characters and aspirations, but also the same tastes in music. In 1982, a band appeared, which the guys named after looking at an advertisement for one of the stores, Everything but the Girl.
The first joint recording was the composition Night and Day, which was not very popular. But it has already been noticed by critics, and even for some time it was broadcast on local radio stations. Thanks to the following tracks, the band was talked about as a new wave of "light" music, which the musicians did not like. They saw energy and pressure in their tracks.
In 1984, the first studio album Eden was released, in which notes of jazz and bare nova are most clearly audible. At that time, bands such as Sade and Simply Red increased in popularity. Then a tour took place, sometimes intersecting with these groups, which made it possible to get the first "wave" of fame.
The team members devoted even more time to creativity. And quite naturally the question arose - to continue my studies or choose a musical career. Fortunately for the fans, the musicians chose the latter option.
Road to fame
The second studio work Love Not Money was released in 1985, which was distinguished by a more rock and roll sound. In support of both released records, the band went on a large-scale tour. If at first a significant number of concerts were hard for the guys, then gradually they even began to enjoy the process.
The team managed to visit venues in Europe, America, even gave one performance in Moscow. It was canceled due to bad weather and insufficient preparation of the organizers.
In 1986, in preparation for the release of a new album, the band decided to change their sound. Tracy became fascinated with 1950s Hollywood. And Ben, supporting his girlfriend, decided to include orchestral sections in the arrangements.
The result of the experiments was the work Baby the Stars Shine Bright, noted by critics as a new level of freedom in musical expression. The guys achieved what they wanted - to surprise their fans with a new sound and style.
Experiments in music Everything but the Girl
In early 1897, the musicians purchased new musical instruments. Ben, even more drawn to the electronic sound, bought a synthesizer and experimented. Tracy was more conservative and still played new songs on a simple acoustic guitar. Thus, a new stage in the work of the collective began to take shape, at the junction of modern electronics and the classical guitar part.
The first version of the new Idlewind album was not liked by the record company, who called the work "tedious and too calm." After Ben slightly changed the pace and rhythm, the record was released. But it did not achieve significant commercial success. The situation changed when the duo decided to make a cover version of one of Rod Stewart's compositions. The track I Don't Wanna Talk About It took 3rd position in the national chart and became a hit. Thanks to him, the group gained long-awaited popularity.
In the early 1990s, the public's preferences in choosing musical directions began to change dramatically. Club currents came into fashion, where the tracks were not filled with special meaning. The new studio work of the Language of Life team (1991) was a "failure". There were even fewer fans at the concerts, often the performances were in half-empty halls.
Black line
In frustrated feelings, the group tried to create something new, but gradually apathy arose among the guys. Contractual obligations forced them to record another full-length album, Worldwide, which was released in the fall of 1991. However, all the tracks were created "without a soul", only technically, "for show". The next sad news was a sharp deterioration in Ben's health, which received complications after an acute asthma attack.
In 1992, after a lengthy rehab, and rethinking their taste preferences, Ben and Tracy decided to reject the labels' demands. They wanted more expression of their feelings and aspirations than following insidious "bends" and capricious fashion trends. The result of long deliberation was the album Acoustic, which appeared during tour performances in small British pubs.
In 1993, the band released the album Home Movies, which contained the most interesting tracks from previous albums. Then there was a period of cooperation with the Massive Attack team. It resulted in the release of the album Amplified Heart, which was released in 1994. The new rock sound received laudatory reviews, recognition from fans, once again raising the band's popularity to the proper level.
A new level
1999 was marked by the appearance of the album Temperamental, which was dominated by trip-hop dance tracks. The new sound proved the correctness of the chosen path. However, family circumstances forced the duet members to temporarily abandon the tour. Tracy and Ben finally decided to legalize their relationship, and they had two charming twin girls.
Ben, carried away by electronics, became a sought-after DJ. And Tracy focused on raising her daughters. In subsequent years, Everything but the Girl released several collections of remixed songs that achieved good results in the American and British electronic music ratings.
