The Adventures - Feel The Raindrops 12''

Released in early 1985 on Chrysalis Records (Catalogue: ADX 1), "Feel The Raindrops (Extended Version)" was issued as the third single from The Adventures ahead of their debut full-length studio album, Theodore and Friends. Written by guitarist Pat Gribben, produced by Garry Bell, and masterfully engineered by John Gallen, this three-track UK Maxi-Single expanded the song's sonic canvas with two unique, non-album studio tracks on the flip side. The release marked the band's initial commercial breakthrough, matching its critical praise by climbing to number 58 on the UK Singles Chart and gaining heavy rotation across European radio stations, ultimately solidifying its place as one of the band's most iconic and beloved signature tracks.

"Feel The Raindrops" is a masterful high watermark of mid-80s melodic pop, perfectly demonstrating Pat Gribben’s keen instinct for pairing emotionally heavy themes with infectious rhythms. The "Extended Version" treats the source material with brilliant constraint; instead of dissecting the track with repetitive electronic drum loops, it extends the song's cinematic intro and adds space for the lush, textured bassline to anchor the groove. Terry Sharpe’s vocal delivery is remarkably poignant, striking a beautiful, melancholic resonance alongside the soaring, wind-swept backing vocal arrangements of Eileen Gribben. The crisp acoustic strumming layered against cascading keyboard textures captures an evocative atmosphere of bittersweet hope, building toward a powerful, soaring chorus that stays with the listener long after the needle lifts.

What transforms this 12-inch vinyl single into an essential collector's piece is the superb quality of its two exclusive B-sides, which maintain the incredibly high standard of the main track. "Nowhere Near Me" is a criminally underrated gem that easily could have served as a standalone A-side single, offering a driving rhythm section matched with a deeply emotive melodic hook. The atmospheric instrumental closer, "Tristesse En Vitesse", provides a contrasting, artsy slice of new wave moodiness that showcases the band's deeper musical range and arrangements away from standard pop structures. Together, this trio of studio tracks presents a cohesive, brilliantly sequenced vinyl package that showcases a highly talented group operating at the very peak of their creative powers.

Ripped to MP3

A: Feel The Raindrops (Extended Version) – [4:53]

B1: Nowhere Near Me – [4:32]

B2: Tristesse En Vitesse – [4:00]