Penguin was the first Pre-Rumours FM record I really loved-- largely because of Chrstine's songs, which I immediately fell in love with. She came into her own on this lp. Welch's songs were also genuinely interesting.
The only other Pre-Rumours record I'd heard to that point was Heroes, which I did NOT like for several years. (I've now come to appreciate the songs "on paper" and love the live versions Welch did on the soundboard.)
I thought Walker's songs a weird fit but I loved is voice and still think his harmonies on Bright Fire, for instance, are excellent.
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