Cheapness and Beauty
Boy George · 1995
50 min · 13 tracks · new wave
A fusion of pop, dance, and soul that explores themes of love, loss, and societal critique through vibrant melodies.
Top tracks — play these first
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Funtime Start here — accessible entry with immediate hook
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God Don't Hold a Grudge — This track stands out with its reflective lyrics on forgiveness set against an upbeat melody, showcasing Boy George's unique ability to blend deep themes with danceable tunes.
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Il Adore — With its lush production and emotive vocal delivery, this song highlights Boy George's signature style while addressing themes of longing and desire.
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Cheapness and Beauty — The title track encapsulates the album’s central theme, merging poignant lyrics about societal perceptions of worth with an infectious chorus that invites listeners to reflect on their own experiences.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album blends pop and dance elements with introspective themes, though it lacks standout tracks that elevate its overall impact.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a high-energy track, 'Funtime', that sets a danceable tone, but the tempo drops significantly by track five, 'Genocide Peroxide'.
- Several tracks feature layered vocal harmonies and prominent synth lines, creating a rich pop sound that is consistent throughout.
- The last three tracks slow down the pace and introduce more introspective lyrics, contrasting with the earlier upbeat songs.
- Composition 25% of the score
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6/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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7/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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5/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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5/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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6/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- steady flow with emotional peaks
- candid explorations of identity
- uplifting moments for social settings
- reflective themes for personal introspection
- danceable rhythms with heartfelt lyrics
Maybe skip if you
- prefer fast-paced instant gratification
- avoid emotional depth and vulnerability
Where this album fits
- In the catalog
- Deep Cut — Explores complex themes, appreciated by fans but not widely recognized.
- Career context
- Released in 1995, Cheapness and Beauty marked Boy George's return to the music scene after the commercial decline following his earlier hits. This album came as his follow-up to the 1992 effort, The Martyr Mantras, showcasing a more introspective approach while blending diverse musical influences.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Culture Club· David Bowie· Soft Cell
Tracklist
- 1 Funtime Start here 3:05
- 2 Satans Butterfly Ball 3:03
- 3 Sad 3:52
- 4 God Don't Hold a Grudge 2:49
- 5 Genocide Peroxide 3:44
- 6 If I Could Fly 4:04
- 7 Same Thing in Reverse 3:33
- 8 Cheapness and Beauty 3:59
- 9 Evil Is So Civilised 3:32
- 10 Blindman 4:12
- 11 Your Love Is What I Am 4:42
- 12 Unfinished Business 3:33
- 13 Il Adore 6:12
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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