The 1981 Listening Post - Gary Myrick and the Figures - Living in a Movie

 Gary Myrick and the Figures - Living in a Movie

#218

1981 Housekeeping

Gary Myrick

Living in a Movie

Genre: Sophomore slump

3.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Living Disaster

There’s been more than a couple bands & musicians that I have only discovered or investigated because of this project. 

The Jags, obviously. Great Buildings. Nick Cave. A lot of the Dunedin stuff. Daniel Johnston. Even Graham Parker, because he was the power popper/rocker that I just didn’t bother getting into. There’s a host of others.

And, of course, Gary Myrick. That debut was a revelation so I was really looking forward to this follow up. And it starts off with a holler & a bang. Thing is, while the album isn’t revelatory or anything, every time I had to walk away for some reason, I found myself humming the previous song’s chorus or bassline. 

Happened at least three times. 

Occasionally there’s something going on in the background, as on “Died on Television”, but I can’t write make it out, which is disappointing. And the rest of the album is well played, well sung and energetic but, ultimately, a let down. Nothing really gets me fired up or wishing I can hear it again. 

Sorry, Gary. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/living-in-a-movie-bonus-track-version/338588950

The 1980 Listening Post - Gary Myrick and the Figures - Gary Myrick and the Figures

Gary Myrick and the Figures - Gary Myrick and the Figures

#87

1980 Housekeeping LISTENING POST DISCOVERY

Gary Myrick and the Figures

Gary Myrick and the Figures

Genre: New Wave Power Pop

4.5 out of 5

Highlights:

Living Disaster

Ever Since the World Began

She Talks in Stereo

Model

Meaningless

Edgy, dynamic, Power Pop rock that has more in common percussively with X than with the PPers of the day. And Myrick is a helluva player. 

For some reason I’ve always thought Myrick was a country guy. I don’t know why. This album is the Cars (sans synths), Joe Jackson, The Jam all wrapped up in a guy who I feel should have toured with Roxy Erickson. 

I get why this wasn’t a hit. The landscape was littered with Power Pop New Wavers at this point and, at some point people are gonna burn out. But, decades later, unearthing nuggets like this are a real treat. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/gary-myrick-and-the-figures-with-bonus-tracks/355032378

The 1985 Listening Post - Gary Myrick - Stand for Love

Gary Myrick - Stand for Love

#434/1069

1985 Housekeeping

Gary Myrick

Stand For Love

Genre: Rock

4 out of 5 (Don’t @ me)

Highlights:

Don’t Let the Good Die Young

She Talks in Stereo

When Angels Kiss

Who bought Gary Myrick records? I wanna meet those fans. 

Every track on this thing starts off with promise and then Myrick’s lyrics and, well, just he himself, show up and mediocre it all up. A good example of this is “Don’t Let the Good Die Young”, a song whose arrangements and production I like a lot more than the sum of the parts. But, heck, it’s worth a spin. Same for his hit single, “She Talks in Stereo”, what a better song this would have been for, say, Pat Benatar, who would’ve killed it. 

Also, “When Angels Kiss”, which is the 80s all summarized in 4 minutes. 

I wanted to hate this record. I came in to it all sullen and angry and resentful that I had to listen to yet aNOTHER 80s guitar rock soloist and I walked away kind of…not loving it…liking the shit out of it. 

https://music.apple.com/us/album/stand-for-love/777667143