"Our Favourite Shop," the second studio album by English band The Style Council, made its impactful debut on June 8, 1985, under Polydor Records (titled "Internationalists" in the United States). Following their debut, "Café Bleu," by ten months, this album showcased the band's musical versatility and featured notable guest vocalists such as Lenny Henry, Tracie Young, and Dee C Lee.
The album's standout tracks, including "Come to Milton Keynes," "The Lodgers," "Boy Who Cried Wolf," and "Walls Come Tumbling Down!", were all released as singles accompanied by music videos, achieving chart success in the UK with all reaching the top 40. In the United States, the track listing underwent reconfiguration for its release.
"Our Favourite Shop" proved to be The Style Council's most commercially successful album, securing immediate acclaim from both critics and fans. It attained the number one position on the UK charts for a week, dethroning Dire Straits' "Brothers in Arms." The album's gold certification, signifying over 100,000 copies sold, underscored its widespread appeal and enduring popularity.
Recorded over a span of months and completed in March 1985, the album showcases a rich tapestry of musical influences, seamlessly blending soul, rap, jazz, and rock styles. The album cover, featuring the band posed inside a shop, was a collaborative effort between Paul Weller and British artist Simon Halfon, adding an artistic touch to the album's presentation.
