The 1986 Listening Post - Skinny Puppy - Bites

Skinny Puppy - Bites

#306/941

August 1985

Skinny Puppy

Bites

Genre: Industrial/Dance

3.75 out of 5

Highlights:

Assimilate

Basement

I never went to The Limelight. I don’t know why. Pyramid Club, either. I did walk around Palladium once. But it was barren by the time I got there. The same with Area. Although rumor had it Michael Stipe was seen shooting up in a bathroom at Area. Someone took my picture there while I was wearing the leather jacket my girlfriend gave me. She wanted to charge me $10 for the print the next day. I think she was stunned that I showed up. I didn’t pay for it. Probably should have. Went to Nell’s a couple times. Eh. Tunnel was fun but that’s because it was in an actual tunnel. And that was a sort of cool novelty. Had more fun at some dive bar we used to hang out at on the west side. Can’t recall the name. We used to all hang out outside.

This is the music from all of those places. None of them were really that satisfying. But they served their purpose for a couple hours on a Saturday night I guess.

They do this very very well. But, like anything of this ilk, it wears out its welcome about 2/3 the way through. But, who’s gonna listen to this straight through? I mean, ya gotta break it up with, I dunno, suicide attempts, right?

The 1985 Listening Post - Jerry Jerry & the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra - Road Gore: The Band That Drank Too Much

Jerry Jerry & the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra - Road Gore: The Band That Drank Too Much

#526/1157

1985 Housekeeping

Jerry Jerry & the Sons of Rhythm Orchestra

Road Gore: The Band That Drank Too Much

Genre: Rockabilly Retro

3.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Gospel Surfer

Baby’s On Fire

Usually we don’t go back into previous years to review stuff we missed. We’re like a freight train at The Listening Post. 500 records a year will do that to you. 

But this one came to our attention before we started posting the new year’s reviews so, it juuuuuuust made the cut.

This is one of those records that, had I had an extra $1.00 on me while hanging around Sounds in the Village I might’ve plunked it down and taken this home for a spin. Oh, who’m I kidding? I’d’ve looked at that cover and figured it was a throwback to the early days of Rock N Roll and probably passed and waited until my roommate (the discoverer of Chet Bolin and Montevideo) brought it to the dorm. Unless it was the Uncle Sam cover and then I would’ve judged it as an incongruous melding of punk and retro-swing.

It kind of is that. 

And we would probably have played it, liked it, smiled, and then gave it away at the one and only Yeast Infection concerts, having scribbled the name of our band on it with masking tape. 

Cuz we did that. 

This record starts off like a promising precursor to Psychobilly and then just wheedles itself into pedestrian nostalgia rock.

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/jerry-jerry-and-the-sons-of-rhythm-orchestra/1204693461

The 1985 Listening Post - The Chris Stamey Group - Christmas Time

The Chris Stamey Group - Christmas Time

#525/1156

1985 Housekeeping

The Chris Stamey Group

Christmas Time

Genre: Omg it’s Christmas music

2 out of 5

So, we finally get to the end of 1985. Guys. 525 records. What a year. And we end it with a little burst of Holiday Power Pop. 

I’m one of those people who think that the dB’s are aight. They don’t do much for me and that’s weird cuz I love Power Pop. But you know what? I really don’t LOVE Power Pop. It’s actually too soft for me. It’s a notch above soft rock and I know that’s part of the appeal but I want it to have a bit more crunch. For me, Power Pop has always been the beginnings of beta-male rock. It really wasn’t until Rick Springfield and the board at Sound City that the sound really worked and came into it’s own. Rick fucked. So did Robin Zander. Eric Carmen longed. Brian Wilson was desperate for love. And that’s the difference. 

So, this is all sweet and stuff but I won’t ever play it again. 

(…watches an exodus of Listening Post members….)

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBJ7ztNazTVBeytEAkEK4HqoJC6xfqNaT

The 1985 Listening Post - Artists Against Apartheid - Sun City

Artists Against Apartheid - Sun City

#524/1155

1985 Housekeeping

Artists Against Apartheid

Sun City

Genre: It worked for Live Aid….

3.25 out of 5

Take one hook. Play it over and over and over and let a lot of people sing it. That seems to be the marching orders for the hit song here. It’s very urban and catchy but, at 9 minutes, it has more than word out its welcome. 

There was debate about whether to include this. It’s culturally relevant but it’s also not really a “rock” record, despite Steve Van Zandt’s appearance as motivating producer and writer. 

The Gabriel entry starts off with great premise but hoes absolutely nowhere. As though it was designed to accompany a video in a giant, outdoor arena. 

It’s all a relic of a bygone era. But none of it has the relistenability of even a No Nukes. 

 https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBJ7ztNazTVDR-hUVLtZ652l0fKrrk2rO

The 1985 Listening Post - Chrome Molly - Stick It Out

Chrome Molly - Stick It Out

#523/1154

1985 Housekeeping

Chrome Molly

Stick It Out

Genre: Rawk

3.5 out of 5

Everything you need to know about this band: After they broke up, some of them continued on as Von Halen, a Van Halen cover band. 

Nuff said. 

Well, the guitar work on “Living a Lie” is pretty scorching. The guys try and they almost get there. But it’s mostly forgettable stuff. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/you-cant-have-it-all-stick-it-out/394191750

The 1985 Listening Post - Tygers of Pan Tang - The Wreck Age

Tygers of Pan Tang - The Wreck Age

#522/1153

1985 Housekeeping

Tygers of Pan Tang

The Wreck Age

Genre: Rawk

2.25 out of 5

Have we established that “Tygers of Pan Tang” is at once the weirdest name for a Power Rock non death metal band AND one of the greatest of all time? 

If not, we should settle that right now. 

However, musically, this is aggressively mediocre post-70s, early 80s hair rock. 

Honestly, it sounds like a Styx cover band tried writing their own tunes. Until the last song, “Forgive and Forget” which is a spot on latter day Freddie Mercury track. Don’t believe me? Give it a listen. 100%

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YX9SnGWk71o

The 1985 Listening Post - Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Wildweed

Jeffrey Lee Pierce - Wildweed

#521/1152

1985 Housekeeping

Jeffrey Lee Pierce

Wildweed

Genre: Undefined but very competent Rock

3.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Love and Desperation

As someone who never really loved The Gun Club it’s no surprise that I don’t have a lot to say about this. It starts off with a bang but it gets lost in it’s own perceived prowess and then it loses me. 

Its all super competent and everything but that’s the most I’m gonna say here. No surprise this didn’t get any traction. 

I’m probably nicer to this cuz this is where I’m currently writing from.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVtyfPwjGjY

The 1985 Listening Post - The Armoury Show - Waiting for the Floods

The Armoury Show - Waiting for the Floods

#520/1151

1985 Housekeeping

The Armoury Show

Waiting for the Floods

Genre: 80s Rock

4.25 out of 5

Highlights:

A Feeling

Higher Than The World

Sleep City Sleep

Everything the 80s was about, synths & art school projects writing to fill giant halls is here on display with The Armoury Show. This is a band I hate writing about because my computer wants to autocorrect their name every damned time.

U2, Bowie, INXS, all of those guys did this sound just a bit better, with a lot more charisma and sex appeal. 

And that’s the only issue I have. The record doesn’t have its own personality. It should cuz the songs are great but it sounds like “every other synth rock stadium band”. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfRCHnHunPg

The 1985 Listening Post - Helios Creed - X-Rated Fairy Tales

Helios Creed - X-Rated Fairy Tales

#519/1150

1985 Housekeeping

Helios Creed

X-Rated Fairy Tales

Genre: Space Rock

4.25 out of 5

This is the sound of not giving a fuck.

This weird and bonkers Space Rock album dares you to like it. And, if you told it you liked it, it would probably laugh in your face. But if you ignored it, it would neg you until you paid attention to it. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/x-rated-fairy-tales/644937361

The 1985 Listening Post - Plasticland - Wonder Wonderful Wonderland

Plasticland - Wonder Wonderful Wonderland

#518/1149

1985 Housekeeping

Plasticland 

Wonder Wonderful Wonderland 

Genre: Psychedelic Power Pop

4.25 out of 5

Highlights:

Gloria Night

Fairytale Hysteria

Flower Scene

What happened here? Why didn’t these guys get the recount they deserved? They are obviously at the top of their psychedelic power pop fusion game, inventing it and reinvented it st the same time. 

It’s almost like a send up of the genre while being slavishly devoted to it.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/wonder-wonderful-wonderland/1161442034

The 1985 Listening Post - E.G. Daily - The Wild Child

E.G. Daily - The Wild Child

#517/1148

1985 Housekeeping

E.G. Daily

The Wild Child

Genre: Pop

2.25 out of 5

Elizabeth Daily just sort of happened, right? 

One day we were just sitting there, minding our own business and the next this creature of knowing coquettish tomboy-ism was everywhere. 

Sure, this should never have been included but it’s Daily and my crush  needed to be quenched. 

You don’t need this. It’s pretty generic pseudo New Wave pop or Madonna wannabe and it fails to connect on any of those fronts. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/wild-child/1443921166

The 1985 Listening Post - Q5 - When the Mirror Cracks

Q5 - When the Mirror Cracks

#516/1147

1985 Housekeeping

Q5

When the Mirror Cracks 

Genre: Stadium Rock

3.25 out of 5

Aggressively generic stadium/radio rock. 

If you look up “anonymous sounding 80s rock” in the rock history book this won’t come up, only because it’s the very definition of the word. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/when-the-mirror-cracks/409147473

The 1985 Listening Post - Savage Republic - Ceremonial

Savage Republic - Ceremonial

#513/1146

December 1985

Savage Republic

Ceremonial

Genre: Experimental

3.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Walking Backwards 

Wow are we reaching the nadir or what?

I’m not even sure what this is or how to categorize it. 

Each track sounds like the last track  and they all sound like a soundtrack for a long drive that never arrives anywhere. 

If you take every psychedelic jangle rock band or The Dream Academy and remove the vocals that’s this record. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/ceremonial/759472559

The 1985 Listening Post - Tommy Shaw - What If?

Tommy Shaw - What It?

#512/1146

1985 Housekeeping

Tommy Shaw

What If?

Genre: Pop Rock

3.5 out of 5

Remo’s Theme (What If)

This Is Not a Test

True Confessions

You know what? I was expecting to hate this. And, coming on the heels of Giant Sand there was no way I could find much to love here, given the past one by the Styx axeman. 

On the contrary. With a sound that comes across as a hybrid Don Henley & Rick Springfield, the first side is packed with confectionary rock songs. 

It sagged for me on side two, dragging the rating down, pumped with filler, but for 80s synth laden/electric drums guitar power pop? Pretty good stuff. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/what-if/1443857482

The 1985 Listening Post - Giant Sand - Valley of Rain

Giant Sand - Valley of Rain

#511/1145

December 1985

Giant Sand

Valley of Rain

Genre: Paisley dust bowl 

4.25 out of 

Highlights:

Death, Dying and Channel 5

Down on Town/Love’s No Answer

Torture of Love

Never heard of this band. If someone else has…do tell. I’m sure Sheffield has since a bunch of Poi Dog Pondering played in this thing.

I was blown away. 

I will post the pictures that accompanied my listen. On the road for 2 hours through the flat lands of Saskatchewan, heading back to Regina. This thing pounding away at my skull.

It’s so self assured, I almost liken it to an American Desert Nick Cave. Does that make sense?

I dunno. I just loved it. (And they are STILL recording)

It’s just a LOT. It does go on for a long while.

https://music.apple.com/us/artist/giant-sand/1472377

The 1985 Listening Post - Minutemen - 3 Way Tie for Last

Minutemen - 3 Way Tie for Last

#510/1144

December 1985

Minutemen 

3 Way Tie for Last

Genre: Post-Punk/Rock

4.75 out of 5

Highlights:
The Price of Paradise

The Red and the Black

No One

This is one helluva political record. Blatantly so. This isn’t Double Nickels. It’s a calm fury. More mature. What might they have done if not for...?

That BOC cover is fantastically bonkers. 

The entire thing is a surprising affair. I’m glad I finally became acquainted with D. Boon and the guys. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/3-way-tie-for-last/117013289

The 1985 Listening Post - David Sylvian - Alchemy

David Sylvian - Alchemy

#509/1143

December 15 1985

David Sylvian

Alchemy

Genre: Ambient

2 out of 5

You know what you could do instead of listening to this? Go back to Laurie Anderson’s second record. Try some Peter Gabriel. Or Brian Eno’s excellent work. Everything you love about Eno’s ambient stuff is removed and what you’re left with is a pretentious and often ugly piece of claptrap. 

We should’ve skipped this one. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/alchemy-an-index-of-possibilities-remastered/714775660

The 1985 Listening Post - Fine Young Cannibals - Fine Young Cannibals

Fine Young Cannibals - Fine Young Cannibals

#508/1142

December 10 1985

Fine Young Cannibals

Fine Young Cannibals 

Genre: Soul Rock

3.5 out of 5

I truly never understood the hype. I mean this is Motown, right? It’s rock n soul. They didn’t break any ground or anything. This album does nothing for me. 

You know how I feel when the best track is the cover. In this case Gift’s voice on “Suspicious Minds” just annoys me. I don’t care much for his timbre, tenor or style. 

Also, what’s kind of terrible is how every song sounds just like the other one. 

I don’t get it, man.

https://music.apple.com/us/album/fine-young-cannibals/1313443612

The 1985 Listening Post - 7 Seconds - Walk Together, Rock Together

7 Seconds - Walk Together, Rock Together

#507/114

1985 Housekeeping

7 Seconds

Walk Together, Rock Together

Genre: Punk

3.5 out of 5

Happy punks, here. Uplifting. Positive. 

But, like most of this genre, it belongs in amber and in a time capsule marked “80s punk” so people can know what it was but never really have to revisit it. it’s weird to visit this sound, remember just how vital and important to me that it was but recognize how antiquated it is and, almost quaint. 

This is the soundtrack to empty pools and skateboards. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asFxDp0E9sI

The 1985 Listening Post - The Lucy Show - ...undone

The Lucy Show - ...undone

#506/1140

1985 Housekeeping

The Lucy Show

…undone

Genre: Psychedelic Rock

4 out of 5

Highlights:

Ephemeral (This Is Not Heaven)

White Space

Undone

You guys are 4 years too late to the party. This is an excellent entry to the post-rock, influenced by The Cure, Joy Division, et al world but I fear we are all done with it. 

They are really good at it, but by this time we all moved on. 

I think, had I heard it back then I might’ve felt the same way. 

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBJ7ztNazTVC7dGJDyPbgN_uXTGqyH3ll