Although the 1980’s have been retrospectively painted with fluorescent blues and neon pinks, for many of us the era was more slate grey sky and sea of concrete. For much of the population it was an age characterised by skinhead riots, deindustrialisation, cold war paranoia, along with the persecution of ethnic minorities and homosexuals, and it is to the latter that Rosemary Schonfeld’s latest album pertains. Hard to believe in the UK a mere 40 years ago that Section 28 was introduced to outlaw the promotion or teaching of homosexuality. Perfectly capturing the spirit of that age, Rosemary’s album Sandy And Jean (Love Is Love) A Rock Opera does exactly what the title suggests and focuses on several characters trying to navigate those troublesome times.

Concept albums are difficult beast to tame, especially when they have a tight focus like Sandy And Jean. Often times they contain passages that seem totally superfluous and are only included to move the story forwards (The Who’s Tommy is a prime example and would’ve been far more powerful if shrunk to a single album). However, Sandy And Jean proves itself the exception to the rule and over the course of a dozen tracks there’s not one word or note that feels extraneous. As such, this is an album that flows extremely well with the tracks flowing into each other smoothly and feels like one long narrative, rather than a selection of songs shoehorned together (again, think Tommy).

It’s the story that is the focal point of this album, a modern day Romeo And Juliet (or, more appropriately, Julie And Juliet) that really brings home the minefield that was homosexual love in the 1980’s and the consequences that would follow from such a union. If you’ve never really thought about this topic before then songs such as ‘Everyone Hates Lesbians’ will be hard hitting and thought provoking (which is perhaps music’s greatest gift). While the subject matter is heavy and cerebral you might expect this album to be a dark and oppressive affair, yet it is the perfect examination of the human condition and explores a whole gamut of emotions from anger and despondency via jealously and humour (and if they ever made a musical of The Stepford Wives I’m sure ‘Young Mothers’ Toddlers’ Group’ would be on the soundtrack).

The music is employed as a way to support the various vocalists, yet it is still a vital component to this album and the keyboard has a retro feel that perfectly captures the minimalist nature of 1980’s synthpop. It means that not only is this a great album, but also a vital document detailing one of the biggest injustices in our not-so-distant past. It’ll make the perfect record for future generations who’re bound to look back at this era with a kind of bemused astonishment. One thing they’ll understand is that no matter who loves whom; love is love.

• Sandy And Jean (Love Is Love) A Rock Opera is available here.
• Official Website | Sandy And Jean | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube Channel

Track List:

1. Night Before The Wedding
2. Young Mothers’ Toddlers’ Group
3. Jean’s Song
4. Sandy And Jean
5. Awkward Conversation
6. Jean’s Conversation With A Friend
7. Everyone Hates Lesbians
8. Jon’s Frustration
9. Chorus Of Friends And Jean
10. With Him
11. Jean’s Despair
12. Love Is Love