While the spacious, sophisticated electronica they developed on their debut is still evident, This Is Normal's smooth, streamlined finish has more than a nodding acquaintance with dance-pop and is a fine blend of accessibility and invention.
This live capturing of the Party's particular bacchanalia, approved by the group, stitches together tracks from a London date in 1981 and a German show in 1982 and threatens at all points to leap from the speakers and throttle innocent bystanders.
Perry's rich vocals and the songs' orchestral-folk arrangements and sombre titles mean that the magisterial Eye Of The Hunter calls to mind some of Scott Walker's darkest, most baroque moments.
