have been made by people who were in the early stages of learning how to make miraculous music from simple building blocks. This was a necessity as none of the members were trained musicians, but the resulting album of very simple, carefully constructed compositions proved far greater than the sum of its parts." Reviewing the remastered versions of A Walk Across the Rooftops and Hats together, Mojo stated that they "remain superior, elegant examples of masterful craftmanship. Both albums present emotive, electro-acoustic mood pieces with elements of soul and classical minimalism ... exquisite music for the small hours in which little is said but much is revealed". Accolades NME placed A Walk Across the Rooftops at number 28 in its critics' list of albums of the year in 1984, while the single "Tinseltown in the Rain" placed at number 27 in the equivalent singles list. In 1989 Record Mirror placed A Walk Across the Rooftops at number 74 in its critics' list of the best albums of the 1980s. The Guardian included A Walk Across the Rooftops in their 2007 feature 1000 Albums to Hear Before You Die, saying, "This stunning debut album was an 80s high-water mark ... The arrangements meld electro and contemporary classical influences into a rich and satisfyingly yearning whole." The album was also included in the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die. It was voted number 407 in the third edition of Colin Larkin's All Time Top 1000 Albums (2000). Track listing All songs written, composed and arranged by Paul Buchanan and Robert Bell. Side one "A Walk Across the Rooftops" – 4:56 "Tinseltown in the Rain" – 5:57 "From Rags to Riches" – 5:59 Side two "Stay" – 4:57 "Easter Parade" – 4:34 "Heatwave" – 6:28 "Automobile Noise" – 5:08 2012 Remastered Collector's Edition CD bonus disc "I Love This Life" (1981 debut single) – 4:02 "Heatwave" (Rhythm Mix) – 5:50 "St. Catherine's Day" (previously unreleased) – 4:42 "Tinseltown in the Rain" (Mix) – 6:31 "The Second Act" (B-side of "I Love This Life") – 4:39 "Stay" (Little Mix) – 3:34 "Regret" (B-side of 12" single of "Tinseltown in the Rain") – 3:37 Personnel The Blue Nile Robert Bell – bass, synthesizers Paul Buchanan – vocals, guitars, synthesizers Paul Joseph Moore – keyboards, synthesizers Additional personnel Calum Malcolm – recording engineer Nigel Thomas – drums Charts Release history References External links