Tag: 1980s
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Pylon, Chomp, 1983 on DB Recs.
My copy is a 2020 reissue on New West Records. Pylon is one of the bands more felt by its influence than its direct fans – but definitely one you should know if you haven’t heard them. Happy to see New West bring out their back catalog.
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Eurythmics, In the Garden, 1981 on RCA
Many folks know Eurythmics only through a small set of hits – Sweet Dreams most notably, maybe a few others – but their output is really outstanding across the board both together and separately. Though Dave Stewart and Annie Lennox recorded together under earlier band names, In the Garden was their debut LP under the…
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The Fabulous Thunderbirds, Butt Rockin’, 1981 on Chrysalis
Kim Wilson, Jimmy Vaughan, Keith Ferguson, and Fran Christina, joined by the Roomful of Blues horn section. Produced by Denny Bruce, this was their third LP. I feel like somehow “Butt Rockin’” was an attempt to reclaim/reframe a dismissive moniker (that’s just butt rock), or just a straight ahead shake-your-caboose style call for rhythm &…
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Bauhaus, The Sky’s Gone Out, 1982 on A&M / Beggars Banquet.
I’m a bit late for World Goth Day here, but I definitely went through a hardcore Bauhaus phase – listening to the 1979-1983 compilation (volume one with white cover and dark bauhaus face, volume two the inverse) more or less non-stop, and then branching out into all the post-Bauhaus spin-offs (Tones on Tail, Love and…
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Huey Lewis and the News, Sports, 1983 on Chrysalis
Pretty hard to ignore this LP if you were listening to the radio (or more accurately watching MTV which showed videos then) in the early 80s. I think at the time I rejected it as too pop, but I’ve come to appreciate it now. Heart of Rock & Roll, I Want a New Drug, even…
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Stephane Grappelli / David Grisman, Live, 1981 on Warner Brothers.
Great combo of two talented musicians: Grappelli on Violin and Grisman on Mandolin. Recorded at the Berkelee Center for the Performing Arts in Boston. Misty, Sweet Georgia Brown, and Satin Doll. My copy found at Vinyl Destination in Lowell MA
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Leon Redbone, Mystery Man, 1982 on Accord
Redbones’s fifth LP, and his first (and only) on Accord. There’s not much detail on the source of the material – likely recorded in the early 70s, maybe as a bootleg direct from the PA or for radio broadcast? My copy is the 1982 pressing, but this was reissued in 2021 on white vinyl by…
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Go Go’s, Vacation, 1982 on I.R.S. Records
This was the sophomore release, following Beauty and the Beat. Lead off single “Vacation” was an unavoidable hit that summer. Cowriting credit on “He’s So Strange” to Leonard Phillips from The Dickies and Catie Curtis – otherwise Carlisle, Caffey, Schock, Wiedlin, Valentine. Found my copy at Vinyl Destination in Lowell MA.
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The Beatles, Rare Beatles, 1982 on Phoenix Records
One in a series of releases recorded in the early 60s in Hamburg. These were recorded by Ted Taylor in April 1961 – while Ringo was not yet a full-time member he was sitting in for Pete Best that night. Picked up this copy at Vinyl Destination in Lowell MA
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Translator, No Time Like Now, 1983 on Columbia / 415 Records
Second LP from San Francisco based Translator, most well known for the single “Everywhere That I’m Not” (which was on their debut album in ’82). “Un-Alone” is probably the best known from this LP. Many of the members of Translator (Larry Dekker, Steve Baron, Dave Scheff, Robert Darlington) are still active as solo artists or…
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Go-Gos, Talk Show, 1984 on I.R.S. Records
Third and final LP of their glorious 80s run, with Head Over Heels and Turn To You. Found my copy at a record fair at Mill No. 5 in Lowell.
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The Silencers, A Letter From St. Paul, 1987 on RCA Victor (US).
The Silencers, A Letter From St. Paul, 1987 on RCA Victor (US). That’s St. Paul as in Minneapolis, not the Apostle. Loved the local Minnesota reference from a hip Scottish band – really solid debut LP all around.
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The Woodentops, Wooden Foot Cops On The Highway, 1988 on Columbia / Rough Trade.
The Woodentops, Wooden Foot Cops On The Highway, 1988 on Columbia / Rough Trade. Second LP from UK band with Bernie Worrell joining on Clavinet
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Pylon, Gyrate, 1980 on DB Records.
Pylon, Gyrate, 1980 on DB Records. 2020 reissue on New West. Debut album of hugely influential Athens GA post punk band – I came to them via R.E.M.
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Camper Van Beethoven, Vampire Can Mating Oven, 1987 on Pitch-a-Tent Records.
Camper Van Beethoven, Vampire Can Mating Oven, 1987 on Pitch-a-Tent Records. Early EP including a cover of Photograph (the Ringo Starr solo song cowritten with George Harrison)
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The Cure, Pornogrqphy, 1982 on Fiction.
The Cure, Pornogrqphy, 1982 on Fiction. This copy is a 2015 Rhino reissue on 180g vinyl. Fourth stydio album from The Cure – tail end of the gloomy / goth era, leading up to the Top and Head On The Door.
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10,000 Maniacs, The Wishing Chair, 1985 on Elektra.
10,000 Maniacs, The Wishing Chair, 1985 on Elektra. Will always love Natalie Merchant’s voice and style – this was their third full length and first on a major label ( the first two were on Mark Records). Lineup with Steven Gustafson, Jerry Augustyniak, Robert Buck, John Lombardo, Dennis Drew and Merchant, produced by Joe Boyd.…
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Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, 1980 on Virgin in the US, Dindisc in the UK.
Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, 1980 on Virgin in the US, Dindisc in the UK. The US version was released in 1987 so between 1980 and then you’d have to get an import. Yes, kids, they used to make different releases in different countries. Not to be confused with the…