Pillows & Prayers (Cherry Red 1982 - 1983)

Pillows & Prayers (Cherry Red 1982–1983)

Pillows & Prayers is one of the defining compilations of the early-1980s British independent music scene, capturing the adventurous, understated and often deliberately unconventional spirit of Cherry Red Records. Originally issued in 1982, the compilation brought together a diverse selection of artists from across the label’s orbit, presenting music that ranged from intimate indie pop and post-punk to experimental electronics, art rock and spoken word.

Cherry Red had established itself as an important home for independent artists who operated outside the mainstream, championing distinctive songwriting, unusual arrangements and individual creative identities. Rather than following a single genre or commercial formula, Pillows & Prayers reflects the label’s eclectic outlook, documenting a moment when independent record companies offered an alternative platform for musicians exploring new sounds and approaches.

The compilation features several artists who would become closely associated with British alternative music. Marine Girls contribute the understated charm of “Lazy Ways”, while Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt appear separately before their later success together as Everything But The Girl. Their presence alongside the band's contribution, “On My Mind”, makes the album particularly interesting for listeners following the development of British indie pop and the emergence of one of the era’s most distinctive songwriting partnerships.

The Monochrome Set bring their literate, idiosyncratic post-punk sensibility to “Eine Symphonie Des Grauens”, while Felt’s “My Face Is On Fire” showcases the group’s melodic minimalism. Eyeless In Gaza and The Passage represent the more experimental end of the independent spectrum, with electronic textures and unconventional structures adding contrast to the gentler acoustic and pop-oriented material. Thomas Leer, Piero Milesi and Joe Crow extend the compilation’s range further into electronic experimentation and avant-garde territory.

Elsewhere, Five Or Six, Kevin Coyne, The Nightingales and The Misunderstood contribute further variations on the independent rock and art-pop aesthetic. Attila The Stockbroker adds a spoken-word and performance-poetry dimension, while Quentin Crisp’s brief appearance closes the programme with a characteristically unconventional touch. The resulting collection feels less like a conventional label sampler and more like a snapshot of an independent scene defined by curiosity, individuality and a willingness to cross musical boundaries.

The Pillows & Prayers series is also associated with Cherry Red’s distinctive approach to independent music marketing and distribution during the early 1980s. Its reputation rests on the strength and diversity of its selections rather than a single headline act, making it a useful document of the artists, ideas and musical connections that helped shape British alternative pop during the period.

For collectors of post-punk, DIY music, minimal pop, experimental electronics and early-1980s British indie, Pillows & Prayers offers a compelling overview of Cherry Red’s musical world. It is particularly rewarding for listeners interested in discovering lesser-known artists alongside influential names, and for anyone exploring the roots of the independent music culture that developed beyond the mainstream charts.

Tracklist

Side A

A1 – Five Or Six – Portrait (2:52)
A2 – The Monochrome Set – Eine Symphonie Des Grauens (2:19)
A3 – Thomas Leer – All About You (3:50)
A4 – Tracey Thorn – Plain Sailing (2:01)
A5 – Ben Watt – Some Things Don't Matter (4:25)
A6 – Kevin Coyne – Love In Your Heart (2:55)
A7 – Piero Milesi – Modi 2 (Extract) (1:02)
A8 – Joe Crow – Compulsion (4:23)

Side B

B1 – Marine Girls – Lazy Ways (2:42)
B2 – Felt – My Face Is On Fire (3:04)
B3 – Eyeless In Gaza – No Noise (2:49)
B4 – The Passage – XOYO (3:26)
B5 – Everything But The Girl – On My Mind (3:08)
B6 – Attila The Stockbroker – A Bang And A Wimpey (1:41)
B7 – The Misunderstood – I Unseen (1:58)
B8 – The Nightingales – Don't Blink (4:00)
B9 – Quentin Crisp – Stop The Music For A Minute (1:00)