Smart, sophisticated and timelessly stylish, Two Wheels Good (titled Steve McQueen throughout the rest of the world) is a minor classic, a shimmering jazz-pop masterpiece sparked by Paddy McAloon's witty and inventive songwriting. McAloon is a wickedly cavalier composer, his songs exploring human weaknesses like regret ("Bonny"), lust ("Appetite") and infidelity ("Horsin' Around") with cynical insight and sarcastic flair; he's also remarkably adaptable, easily switching gears from the faux-country of "Faron" to the stately pop grace of "Moving the River." At times, perhaps, his pretensions get the better of him (as on "Desire As"), while at other times his lyrics are perhaps too trenchant for their own good; at those moments, however, what keeps Two Wheels Good afloat is Thomas Dolby's lush production, which makes even the loftiest and most biting moments as easily palatable as the airiest adult-contemporary confection.
(by Jason Ankeny, All Music Guide)
If I was the sort of important person who got to go on these 'best of' talking heads programmes where F list celebs get to voice their earthshatteringly significant views on such matters - and if the topic of this programme was 'best album in the world ever', I'd know which two I'd narrow it down to: The Clash - London Calling, and Prefab Sprout - Steve McQueen. And the Sprouts would just get the nod. Steve McQueen is just sublime. Spine chillingly, nerve tinglingly, heartbreakingly sublime. Paddy's tunes and Lyrics, aimed at a generation of thoughtful college boys, were a notch above his contemporaries Morrisey and Marr (who were very much fishing in the same pond of introspection - though at the less sophisticated end). Wendy Smith's voice was never better employed than on this album, on tracks 2-6 especially. Appetite? Best pop song ever! When Love Breaks Down? Best love song ever! Steve McQueen album cover? Marginally less good than London Calling. Steve McQueen contents? Marginally better than London Calling. I can't believe you philistines are selling this for less than a fiver.