Gangway - The Twist
#311
November 1984
Gangway
The Twist
3.25 out of 5
Highlights:
What?
Violence, Easter & Christmas
Jangle Pop meets The Style Council. Or Jangly Dream Pop. What would The Smiths sound like if Morrissey was not someone I was afraid would drink bleach and the rest of the band grew up in a sunnier climate with parents that loved and hugged them?
Gangway.
I chose to intersperse this with Celtic Frost because no two records could be as different (well, there's a LOT that could be different but far be it from to hide from hyperbole).
It made the listening experience very weird but here's the thing:
I would have thought that one being a respite for the other would engender a higher rating for the less offensive. This was not the case.
Instead what it caused is a whiplash case of dizziness.
So, when the percussion driven mood piece "What?" arrived I was taken aback. I actually thought maybe I was still listening to death metal.
More whiplash.
It gets a bit wobbly in the middle but recovers nicely by doubling down on The Smiths on a Carousel "Violence, Easter & Christmas" only to become twee & feeble toward the end.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-twist/269180868
Tuesday, March 19, 2019
The 1984 Listening Post - Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
Celtic Frost - Morbid Tales
#310
November 1984
Celtic Frost
Morbid Tales
2 out of 5
You know how the neighbors know that my wife and kids aren't home?
I play this stuff at 11 on all the speakers in the house. Not because I love it, I really don't. But because I'm not sure there's any other way to play it.
Do you put it on as background music? No. It's not meant for that.
It has to be played at a level that makes your parents shout, "You're gonna hurt your ears!"
Well, that may be. But what is life, if not choices?
I choose to never listen to this again.
By the time I got to "Dethroned Emperor" all I could see were images of Gwar on The Jerry Springer Show.
Every song starts off sounding like it might go someplace good, like the guitarist's impulses are toward the accessible and then the drummer gets up, kicks him in the nuts and forces him to get with the goddamn shredding program while the singer wishes he was in Crass.
This hurts my brains.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/morbid-tales/1144742485
#310
November 1984
Celtic Frost
Morbid Tales
2 out of 5
You know how the neighbors know that my wife and kids aren't home?
I play this stuff at 11 on all the speakers in the house. Not because I love it, I really don't. But because I'm not sure there's any other way to play it.
Do you put it on as background music? No. It's not meant for that.
It has to be played at a level that makes your parents shout, "You're gonna hurt your ears!"
Well, that may be. But what is life, if not choices?
I choose to never listen to this again.
By the time I got to "Dethroned Emperor" all I could see were images of Gwar on The Jerry Springer Show.
Every song starts off sounding like it might go someplace good, like the guitarist's impulses are toward the accessible and then the drummer gets up, kicks him in the nuts and forces him to get with the goddamn shredding program while the singer wishes he was in Crass.
This hurts my brains.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/morbid-tales/1144742485
The 1984 Listening Post - The Angels - Two Minute Warning
The Angels - Two Minute Warning
#309
November 28 1984
The Angels
Two Minute Warning
2.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Look the Other Way
You know, we've heard a ton of music from Australia. A lot of it has been IMPORTANT (Midnight Oil) or solid rock (Hoodoo Gurus) or angular (Split Enz) but the biggest heroes from Down Under are AC/DC and we've heard very little of that style from Oz.
Until this album.
The songs are solid, guitar driven, top down convertible in the sun, rawk. If only the lead singer didn't sound like they forced their manager to record vocals while in the bathroom suffering from constipation.
This reminds me of the Good Rats. This is neither a compliment or an insult. The Good Rats were neither good nor bad. Which is why you are asking yourself, right now, "Who were the Good Rats?"
Exactly.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/two-minute-warning/160332595
#309
November 28 1984
The Angels
Two Minute Warning
2.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Look the Other Way
You know, we've heard a ton of music from Australia. A lot of it has been IMPORTANT (Midnight Oil) or solid rock (Hoodoo Gurus) or angular (Split Enz) but the biggest heroes from Down Under are AC/DC and we've heard very little of that style from Oz.
Until this album.
The songs are solid, guitar driven, top down convertible in the sun, rawk. If only the lead singer didn't sound like they forced their manager to record vocals while in the bathroom suffering from constipation.
This reminds me of the Good Rats. This is neither a compliment or an insult. The Good Rats were neither good nor bad. Which is why you are asking yourself, right now, "Who were the Good Rats?"
Exactly.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/two-minute-warning/160332595
The 1984 Listening Post - The Kinks - Word of Mouth
The Kinks - Word of Mouth
#308
November 19 1984
The Kinks
Word of Mouth
3.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Do It Again
Good Day
Living on a Thin Line
The Kinks seem to have spent the late 70s, early 80s cruising on a smattering of hits and their legendary status. Surely, "Lola" was an evergreen hit for them.
Every album since I started has a couple great tracks and a lot of forgettable ones. I think you could take Misfits, Low Budget, Give the People, State of Confusion and Word of Mouth and make a killer playlist. But as long players they fall off and often come across as Rolling Stones leftovers ("Word of Mouth").
Was anyone else haunted by the "Diana is dead" line that was written 7 years before Di's tragic ending on "Good Day"? I am...It's the sort of thing McCartney should be able to write but can't.
I wish Ray wasn't ripping himself off on "Too Hot", it was not necessary but, hey, 29 albums worth of songs...people gonna repeat themselves.
I've been trying to write the same song for months...okay, days...but it feels like months. (It also feels like REO Speedwagon...)
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/word-of-mouth/913759067
The 1984 Listening Post - Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast
Don Henley - Building the Perfect Beast
#308
November 19 1984
Don Henley
Building the Perfect Beast
4.5 out of 5
Highlights:
The Boys of Summer
You Can't Make Love
Not Enough Love in the World
All She Wants to Do is Dance
Remember how god awful Glenn Frey's album was? Like poke yourself in the eye, jingoist garbage-fest bad?
Ok. Hang on.
Also, remember Henley's first solo album? The mediocre I Can't Stand Still with "Dirty Laundry"?
Hang on.
Remember that video? Henley...on some flatbed, moving down a street, the film screen behind him...there was some intercutting...I don't wanna look it up....it was on all the freaking time.
That song, though, with it's processed drums that were en vogue in 84, still works, though. It's the heartbeat of Los Angeles, a city that has no real anthem or song of its own.
The song could work in any style, the Eagles could've made it a monster arena track. I don't think you can destroy that track.
This album is a different animal than his first and than Frey's mess. While I don't necessarily disagree with Mojo Nixon that "Don Henley Must Die", if just for his egregious cover of Guys and Dolls' "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat", there's a lot to offer here.
The entire first side is devoted to love and loss and loss of love while the second is more sociologically and politically aware. Makes sense. It's 1984. Frey was fist pumping his jingoism, Don is more cynical, just listen to "Sunset Grill" and see if you don't think America is doomed.
Side Two doesn't start out strong, mainly cuz the title track is sooooo earnest I wanna shoot him but it does recover, first with a song that Robert palmer would ape in a few years, "All She Wants to Do is Dance" a song inspired, in part by the characters in The Great Gatsby and then some solid pieces of solemnity.
I think by now everyone knows that this sort of MOR rock, when done well (Henley, Adams, Springsteen, etc), much like glam rock, hits a certain sweet spot for me. I might not have sought it out back then but it can be the right medicine on occasion.
Another one I eschewed by dint of pretentia. My loss...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/building-the-perfect-beast/958725263
#308
November 19 1984
Don Henley
Building the Perfect Beast
4.5 out of 5
Highlights:
The Boys of Summer
You Can't Make Love
Not Enough Love in the World
All She Wants to Do is Dance
Remember how god awful Glenn Frey's album was? Like poke yourself in the eye, jingoist garbage-fest bad?
Ok. Hang on.
Also, remember Henley's first solo album? The mediocre I Can't Stand Still with "Dirty Laundry"?
Hang on.
Remember that video? Henley...on some flatbed, moving down a street, the film screen behind him...there was some intercutting...I don't wanna look it up....it was on all the freaking time.
That song, though, with it's processed drums that were en vogue in 84, still works, though. It's the heartbeat of Los Angeles, a city that has no real anthem or song of its own.
The song could work in any style, the Eagles could've made it a monster arena track. I don't think you can destroy that track.
This album is a different animal than his first and than Frey's mess. While I don't necessarily disagree with Mojo Nixon that "Don Henley Must Die", if just for his egregious cover of Guys and Dolls' "Sit Down You're Rockin' the Boat", there's a lot to offer here.
The entire first side is devoted to love and loss and loss of love while the second is more sociologically and politically aware. Makes sense. It's 1984. Frey was fist pumping his jingoism, Don is more cynical, just listen to "Sunset Grill" and see if you don't think America is doomed.
Side Two doesn't start out strong, mainly cuz the title track is sooooo earnest I wanna shoot him but it does recover, first with a song that Robert palmer would ape in a few years, "All She Wants to Do is Dance" a song inspired, in part by the characters in The Great Gatsby and then some solid pieces of solemnity.
I think by now everyone knows that this sort of MOR rock, when done well (Henley, Adams, Springsteen, etc), much like glam rock, hits a certain sweet spot for me. I might not have sought it out back then but it can be the right medicine on occasion.
Another one I eschewed by dint of pretentia. My loss...
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/building-the-perfect-beast/958725263
The 1984 Listening Post - The Stranglers - Aural Sculpture
The Stranglers - Aural Sculpture
#307
November 19 1984
The Stranglers
Aural Sculpture
4.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Skin Deep
Let Me Down Easy
Uptown
Punch & Judy
Mad Hatter
I've never really cared for The Stranglers. I want them to live up to their punk name and they just don't so I'm Charlie Brown to their Lucy.
That said, um...what? This album is...great. It's the Lou Reed record Lou Reed wanted to do but couldn't because he's...you know...Lou Reed.
You could throw a brick at any song on this record and I would listen to it again.
It's just a good collection of material. I can't say enough about how much i enjoyed this. After years of slogging through their bullshit, they finally delivered.
This one stays in the library.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aural-sculpture/259234936
#307
November 19 1984
The Stranglers
Aural Sculpture
4.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Skin Deep
Let Me Down Easy
Uptown
Punch & Judy
Mad Hatter
I've never really cared for The Stranglers. I want them to live up to their punk name and they just don't so I'm Charlie Brown to their Lucy.
That said, um...what? This album is...great. It's the Lou Reed record Lou Reed wanted to do but couldn't because he's...you know...Lou Reed.
You could throw a brick at any song on this record and I would listen to it again.
It's just a good collection of material. I can't say enough about how much i enjoyed this. After years of slogging through their bullshit, they finally delivered.
This one stays in the library.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/aural-sculpture/259234936
The 1984 Listening Post - Madonna - Like a Virgin
Madonna - Like a Virgin
#306
November 12 1984
Madonna
Like a Virgin
4 out of 5
Highlights:
Material Girl
Like a Virgin
Dress You Up
Shoo Be Doo
Here's a secret.
This album is really good.
It's not as great as True Blue or Like a Prayer. It still has some clunky trinkets like "Angel" and "Pretender" but the hits...holy moley.
I HAAAA--AAAA----TED her when this came out. And then, about 10 years ago I was touring across Texas for a project with people I did not like and I decided to just listen to Madonna and every subsequent record was better than the last for a long while.
This is a huge improvement over her debut. Because the songs are there. And the production is as well.
"Material Girl" is more Devo than Devo or Oingo Boingo or Sparks ("Over and Over" is a runner up for that, as well). And speaks to her personality and an entire generation of women.
There is no denying the earworm that is the title track. It's insidious. It was to teenage girls (and their parents) as death metal was to teenage boys.
That song, her performance of it (here and live) were game changers. This was Elvis 1955 but 30 years later and the gender is flipped and nothing would be the same.
Nile Rodgers produced this and, boy does he know what the actual fuck he is doing.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/like-a-virgin/80815235
#306
November 12 1984
Madonna
Like a Virgin
4 out of 5
Highlights:
Material Girl
Like a Virgin
Dress You Up
Shoo Be Doo
Here's a secret.
This album is really good.
It's not as great as True Blue or Like a Prayer. It still has some clunky trinkets like "Angel" and "Pretender" but the hits...holy moley.
I HAAAA--AAAA----TED her when this came out. And then, about 10 years ago I was touring across Texas for a project with people I did not like and I decided to just listen to Madonna and every subsequent record was better than the last for a long while.
This is a huge improvement over her debut. Because the songs are there. And the production is as well.
"Material Girl" is more Devo than Devo or Oingo Boingo or Sparks ("Over and Over" is a runner up for that, as well). And speaks to her personality and an entire generation of women.
There is no denying the earworm that is the title track. It's insidious. It was to teenage girls (and their parents) as death metal was to teenage boys.
That song, her performance of it (here and live) were game changers. This was Elvis 1955 but 30 years later and the gender is flipped and nothing would be the same.
Nile Rodgers produced this and, boy does he know what the actual fuck he is doing.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/like-a-virgin/80815235
The 1984 Listening Post - Kim Wilde - Teases & Dares
Kim Wilde - Teases & Dares
#305
November 19 1984
Kim Wilde
Teases & Dares
1 out of 5
Highlights
Rage to Love
I got nothing.
I cleaned out the garage while this was on. I had to do something to break up the monotony.
This is as generic as it gets.
I hereby decree that the Kim Wilde era of The Listening Post is over. I shan't revisit her again. I will kibosh any list that puts her on it, and I know she releases something in 1986 but, fuck that.
I'm done with her.
4th rate Madonna crap.
Thank U, next.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/teases-dares/809082751
#305
November 19 1984
Kim Wilde
Teases & Dares
1 out of 5
Highlights
Rage to Love
I got nothing.
I cleaned out the garage while this was on. I had to do something to break up the monotony.
This is as generic as it gets.
I hereby decree that the Kim Wilde era of The Listening Post is over. I shan't revisit her again. I will kibosh any list that puts her on it, and I know she releases something in 1986 but, fuck that.
I'm done with her.
4th rate Madonna crap.
Thank U, next.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/teases-dares/809082751
The 1984 Listening Post - The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
The Honeydrippers - The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
#304
November 12 1984
The Honeydrippers
The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
3.5 out of 5
Highlights:
Young Boy Blues
Exception time.
I know I said, "No Eps!" but this one had a huge impact on radio and MTV at the time and I don't think I can avoid it.
I, like many, have only heard the Big Single! which, I had no idea, was the B-Side and when it became a huge success, mortified Plant.
I'm glad. I can't stand the Zeppelin adoration. I've gone on record as saying that, while they did amazing stuff with it, they were basically a covers band who didn't give credit and proceeded to make millions off the work of others. It took over 2-3 decades for amends to be made to the original bluesmen from whom they stole.
This is compounded for me because I think Greta Van Fleet got a bad rap for echoing Zep's sound and yet, their songs were all originals.
If those same reviewers were either reviewing in 1969 or Zeppelin came out today, they would be lambasting Page and Plant for ripping off others.
Add to that, Plant's offering of "Innuendo" at the Freddie Mercury Concert for Life, blending into "Kashmir" was atrocious.
And that I really didn't care for his Principle of Moments record last year I was really glad to read that he was worried that he would suddenly be perceived as not a "rock singer" because of this ep.
I don't want him to suffer, just be annoyed. Cuz he and they annoy me.
Is this any good?
It's fine. It's as good as Los Lobos. And it's short. It exists. I'm so happy there was never a Vol. 2.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-honeydrippers-vol-1-expanded-ep/254160559
#304
November 12 1984
The Honeydrippers
The Honeydrippers Vol. 1
3.5 out of 5
Highlights:
Young Boy Blues
Exception time.
I know I said, "No Eps!" but this one had a huge impact on radio and MTV at the time and I don't think I can avoid it.
I, like many, have only heard the Big Single! which, I had no idea, was the B-Side and when it became a huge success, mortified Plant.
I'm glad. I can't stand the Zeppelin adoration. I've gone on record as saying that, while they did amazing stuff with it, they were basically a covers band who didn't give credit and proceeded to make millions off the work of others. It took over 2-3 decades for amends to be made to the original bluesmen from whom they stole.
This is compounded for me because I think Greta Van Fleet got a bad rap for echoing Zep's sound and yet, their songs were all originals.
If those same reviewers were either reviewing in 1969 or Zeppelin came out today, they would be lambasting Page and Plant for ripping off others.
Add to that, Plant's offering of "Innuendo" at the Freddie Mercury Concert for Life, blending into "Kashmir" was atrocious.
And that I really didn't care for his Principle of Moments record last year I was really glad to read that he was worried that he would suddenly be perceived as not a "rock singer" because of this ep.
I don't want him to suffer, just be annoyed. Cuz he and they annoy me.
Is this any good?
It's fine. It's as good as Los Lobos. And it's short. It exists. I'm so happy there was never a Vol. 2.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-honeydrippers-vol-1-expanded-ep/254160559
The 1984 Listening Post - Danny Elfman - So-Lo
Danny Elfman - So-Lo
#303
November 11 1984
Danny Elfman
So-Lo
4 out of 5
Highlights:
Gratitude
Cool City
It Only Makes Me Laugh
This is an Oingo Boingo but was released as a solo record for legal reasons.
Ok. I've heard terrrrrible things about this. So of course when "Gratitude" plays I am hopelessly tapping my feet and fondly reminiscing about the best of Devo. Easily my favorite track that Oingo Boingo put out in the era.
So much of this album is just fun without pretention ("Cool City", "It Only Makes Me Laugh") or actually songs that could be recorded by any number of the blue-eyed soul New Wave bands of the era ("The Last Time").
I thought this album was a blast. Much better than recent Devo, not as great as Sparks' Cool Places. But solid.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-lo/5242455
#303
November 11 1984
Danny Elfman
So-Lo
4 out of 5
Highlights:
Gratitude
Cool City
It Only Makes Me Laugh
This is an Oingo Boingo but was released as a solo record for legal reasons.
Ok. I've heard terrrrrible things about this. So of course when "Gratitude" plays I am hopelessly tapping my feet and fondly reminiscing about the best of Devo. Easily my favorite track that Oingo Boingo put out in the era.
So much of this album is just fun without pretention ("Cool City", "It Only Makes Me Laugh") or actually songs that could be recorded by any number of the blue-eyed soul New Wave bands of the era ("The Last Time").
I thought this album was a blast. Much better than recent Devo, not as great as Sparks' Cool Places. But solid.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/so-lo/5242455
The 1984 Listening Post - Triumph - Thunder Seven
Triumph - Thunder Seven
#302
November 10 1984
Triumph
Thunder Seven
4.25 out of 5
Highlights:
Spellbound
Cool Down
Time Goes By/Midsummer's Daydream/Time Canon/Killing Time
If you asked me 10 years ago, 20 years ago or even this morning, "What do you think of Triumph?" I would say they are mediocre Scorpions sounding radio metal.
And that wouldn't be far from the truth.
But here's the thing:
Just a Game: 4.5
Progressions of Power: 4
Allied Forces: 4.5
Never Surrender: 4.5
And I would tell you that I don't really care for them.
But, looking back at my ratings...I guess I really do. I have not been disappointed by their brand of guitar rock. And what their brand is is American rock done by Canadians, which often means brighter, cleaner, shinier and...sometimes....better (Looking at you, Kick Axe).
They are really trying to bring the Zeppelin on tracks like "Cool Down" and they mostly succeed. This is definitely in the Fastway mold but I like it better than them.
The wanna be single "Follow Your Heart" is a direct line between 70s metal and the band White Reaper. You don't know White Reaper??? Listen to this song and then fire up "Judy French" immediately. It was my favorite song of 2016. I'll link it in the comments.
Side Two is even more Zeppy with the the terrific "Time Goes By" giving way to the acoustic "Midsummer's Daydream" leading into the a capella "Time Canon" and then the soaring "Killing Time" and it might be my favorite thing Triumph has ever done. It's just fun. For me, at least.
And it also shows that even on this later album, Triumph was still trying.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thunder-seven/1287320162
#302
November 10 1984
Triumph
Thunder Seven
4.25 out of 5
Highlights:
Spellbound
Cool Down
Time Goes By/Midsummer's Daydream/Time Canon/Killing Time
If you asked me 10 years ago, 20 years ago or even this morning, "What do you think of Triumph?" I would say they are mediocre Scorpions sounding radio metal.
And that wouldn't be far from the truth.
But here's the thing:
Just a Game: 4.5
Progressions of Power: 4
Allied Forces: 4.5
Never Surrender: 4.5
And I would tell you that I don't really care for them.
But, looking back at my ratings...I guess I really do. I have not been disappointed by their brand of guitar rock. And what their brand is is American rock done by Canadians, which often means brighter, cleaner, shinier and...sometimes....better (Looking at you, Kick Axe).
They are really trying to bring the Zeppelin on tracks like "Cool Down" and they mostly succeed. This is definitely in the Fastway mold but I like it better than them.
The wanna be single "Follow Your Heart" is a direct line between 70s metal and the band White Reaper. You don't know White Reaper??? Listen to this song and then fire up "Judy French" immediately. It was my favorite song of 2016. I'll link it in the comments.
Side Two is even more Zeppy with the the terrific "Time Goes By" giving way to the acoustic "Midsummer's Daydream" leading into the a capella "Time Canon" and then the soaring "Killing Time" and it might be my favorite thing Triumph has ever done. It's just fun. For me, at least.
And it also shows that even on this later album, Triumph was still trying.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/thunder-seven/1287320162
The 1984 Listening Post - Nik Kershaw - The Riddle
Nik Kershaw - The Riddle
#301
November 19 1984
Nik Kershaw
The Riddle
3.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Don Quixote
You Might
Roses
You know album I really liked? Kajagoogoo's debut.
And that's what this sounds like at the start. I don't know if sounding like Kajagoogoo's cousin is really a point of pride, tho.
He does find his own voice, somewhere between synth-pop and Dance-pop and it's not unpleasant in the least.
And I gotta give Nik credit, two albums in one year...it's almost like he knew that, one day, I would listen to Human Racing and develop such contempt for him and his brand of two-years-too-late synth-pop and he thought he might have to make some amends to me.
He does redeem himself a bit.
In a way, Nik reminds me also a bit of a synth-pop Martin Briley, although I'm not sure Martin would appreciate that. There is a wordiness that Nik employs on the highlighted tracks that echo Martin's Fear of the Unknown album.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-riddle/471351321
#301
November 19 1984
Nik Kershaw
The Riddle
3.75 out of 5
Highlights:
Don Quixote
You Might
Roses
You know album I really liked? Kajagoogoo's debut.
And that's what this sounds like at the start. I don't know if sounding like Kajagoogoo's cousin is really a point of pride, tho.
He does find his own voice, somewhere between synth-pop and Dance-pop and it's not unpleasant in the least.
And I gotta give Nik credit, two albums in one year...it's almost like he knew that, one day, I would listen to Human Racing and develop such contempt for him and his brand of two-years-too-late synth-pop and he thought he might have to make some amends to me.
He does redeem himself a bit.
In a way, Nik reminds me also a bit of a synth-pop Martin Briley, although I'm not sure Martin would appreciate that. There is a wordiness that Nik employs on the highlighted tracks that echo Martin's Fear of the Unknown album.
https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-riddle/471351321
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