I loved Head Music when it came out for about three weeks, because I was so desperate for new Suede material. But in the years since I've grown to detest it -- even the better songs like She's In Fashion and Everything Will Flow. It's all so vapid and empty-headed, over-produced and garish. And the b-sides of the era are more like d-sides. When the reissues came out some years ago, I found the whole package unlistenable to listen.
A New Morning came out after such long delays and my realization how horrible Head Music was, so I've always found it a pleasant little album. Trite it is, but at least it doesn't try to impress, and there are some nice melodies on it. But having to choose between ANM and Head Music, I'll pick the first any time.
The Tears album is alright, but after such huge expectations it seemed like a disappointment at the time. Brett was still treading water as a lyricist, and Bernard made the production sound like it was recorded in a tin barrel, but there is some magic there: especially in the slower epics near the end and in the b-side Southern Rain, the best Tears song in my opinion.
BTW: has anybody heard Manipulation, the extra track on the Blue Hour deluxe package?