Cockney Rebel (June 2, 1974) The Psychomodo - LP/TC & 8-Track UK
Cockney Rebel’s ambitious and theatrical second album The Psychomodo, released on June 2, 1974, marked the band’s commercial breakthrough in the UK and solidified Steve Harley’s reputation as one of glam rock’s most distinctive and poetic voices.
RELEASE DETAILS
Artist: Cockney Rebel
Label: EMI
Date: June 2, 1974
Catalogue: EMC 3033
Format: LP (Vinyl), Cassette, 8-Track Cartridge
Country: United Kingdom
THE STORY
The Psychomodo delivered a bold, eclectic mix of glam, psychedelic rock, and art-pop, driven by Steve Harley’s charismatic vocals and literate lyrics. The album showcased the band’s evolving sound with dramatic arrangements, orchestral flourishes, and tracks ranging from the quirky hit “Mr. Soft” to the epic “Cavaliers” and the title track “Psychomodo.”
CONTEXT & NOTES
Released at the height of the glam era, The Psychomodo reached No. 8 on the UK Albums Chart and became Cockney Rebel’s highest-charting album. It followed the success of the single “Judy Teen” and featured production by Alan Parsons with orchestral arrangements by Andrew Powell. The album’s striking cover photography was by Mick Rock. Advance orders reportedly reached 12,000 copies. The band split shortly after its release, with Harley continuing as Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel.
CHARTS
UK Albums Chart: No. 8 (peaked September 14, 1974)
PERSONNEL Musicians
Steve Harley – vocals
Paul Jeffreys – bass
Stuart Elliott – drums, percussion
Jean-Paul Crocker – electric violin, guitar
Milton Reame-James – keyboards
TRACK LIST Side One
Sweet Dreams
Psychomodo
Mr. Soft
Singular Band
Ritz
Side Two
Cavaliers
Bed In The Corner
Sling It!
Tumbling Down
Production
Produced by Steve Harley and Alan Parsons
Orchestral & Brass Arrangements by Andrew Powell
Engineered at Morgan Studios, Nova Sound, and AIR Studios
Mastered at Abbey Road Studios
PACKAGING HIGHLIGHTS
Matte sleeve with striking Mick Rock photography
Lyrics insert included
Side A ends in a continuous locked groove on original pressings
WHAT THE SLEEVE SHOWS
A dramatic, high-contrast black-and-white photograph of Steve Harley on the front cover, with theatrical styling and intense expression that perfectly captured the band’s flamboyant glam-art rock aesthetic. The back cover and inner sleeve feature additional imagery and full lyrics.
SINGLES RELEASED
“Psychomodo” (withdrawn in UK, released in Europe)
“Mr. Soft” (UK No. 8)
SOURCES
Discogs,
Wikipedia,
45cat,
original 1974 EMI press materials
All magazine scans, photographs and original text excerpts remain the property of their respective copyright holders. This entry is a transformative, non-commercial archival summary created for historical documentation and educational reference.
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