Haircut One Hundred – Pelican West

Pelican West is the debut studio album by British new wave band Haircut One Hundred, released on 26 February 1982. It became a major hit in the UK, reaching No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart and being certified Platinum, and features the classic singles “Love Plus One”, “Favourite Shirts (Boy Meets Girl)” and “Fantastic Day”.

This record stands out for its breezy, sun-soaked blend of new wave pop, jangly guitar lines, bright brass and saxophone accents, and a touch of funk and jazz-inspired rhythms. It’s breezy and upbeat throughout, capturing a carefree early-80s vibe while showcasing surprisingly tight musicianship beneath its cheerful surface. The songwriting, led primarily by frontman Nick Heyward, favors catchy hooks and danceable grooves that make the album feel both polished and effortlessly fun.

Critically, Pelican West has often been praised for its summery melodies and stylish arrangements, though some see it as light rather than deeply profound. Fans of early ’80s sophisti-pop and new wave tend to appreciate its vibrant energy and rhythmic flair, making it a notable snapshot of its era.

This new edition has been newly mastered by Phil Kinrade, and expertly cut using transfers of the original 1⁄2” digital audio tapes using precision half-speed mastering by Barry Grint at AIR Mastering. The equipment at AIR Mastering uses balanced mains power for improved performance and lower noise and the digital equipment is locked to an extremely accurate digital clock to reduce jitter. The Neumann VMS80 lathes and cutting amplifiers used have been fully renovated and modified to enable half speed mastering.

Pressed on 180g heavyweight vinyl, featuring an obi strip and housed in a poly-lined inner sleeve. Also includes a 4-page booklet insert.

“Lots of people are discovering Haircut 100 now and that album and saying it’s fresh as a fantastic daisy, every time, that’s the wonder of it.” – Nick Heyward (vocals and guitar), 2022

“In our pre-senile dementia years, we can sit here and still feel proud of something we did when we were nippers.” – Marc Fox (percussion), 2022

“This is what bands should be, nobody made any sense!” – Blair Cunningham (drums), 2022