As I was cruising the depths of my library for the last playlist, I hit upon a few ’80’s gems I hadn’t listened to for a while. So, not content to dust off the dust quite yet, I thought I’d dig out some more lesser known ’80’s songs I enjoy …
Armed Forces, released in January, 1979, is Elvis Costello’s third album & the first to include The Attractions on the cover (Elvis Costello and The Attractions). I bought this album when it first came out, and the North American release featured the paint splattering cover, with the stampeding elephants on …
1979 – What a time for music: disco, rock, punk & New Wave all alive and competing for the hearts, minds & ears of music fans. I was not at all a disco fan, and rock had grown a tad stale. Punk & New Wave were the saviours, in my …
Blondie’s third album, Parallel Lines, came out at one of the most interesting times of popular music: the waning days of disco, the heyday of punk, and the emerging New Wave style. Parallel Line was released in September, 1978, seven months after the release of their second album, Plastic …
This has to be one of the most fun albums of all time. And really, that’s all that needs to be said. Here are a couple of reviews should you need more: Allmusic, the BBC.
Squeezing Out Sparks was released in March, 1977 and marked a change in Parker’s style. He dropped his horn section and moved more in line with New Wave. The guitars & fast pace are front and centre. His songwriting excellence and gritty tone remain, though, and I think crank it …
I am an unabashed Simple Minds fan. Somehow Jim Kerr, Charlie Burchill, Derek Forbes, Mick MacNeil and their various drummers snuck into my subconscious in the early ’80’s and have remained there. No permanent damage as far as I can tell (others may disagree). For those who think Simple Minds …
This 1980 release from Vancouver’s Pointed Sticks hits all the right places in the New Wave scene. It’s got the beat, pace & sound that made it one of my most played records at the time. When I play it now, it’s the whole album, not a song or two….and …
RIP Patty Donahue This is a definite gem from 1982, and competes with the best of the New Wave era. It’s full of riffing guitars, saxophones and organs, often with an infectious ska beat. And fully defining their sound are Patty Donahue’s sardonic, largely spoken voiced vocals that tend into …
Each year a wide variety of music is released, arguably with some years better than others. It’s interesting to look back and see what was released when. And memory being what it is, I’m occasionally surprised to be reminded of a song’s release date. I thought I’d look at 1984. …
