The 1981 Listening Post - Rachel Sweet - ...And The He Kissed Me

 Reviewed by Marie Miele Miller

Released: August 1981 Rachel Sweet …And Then He Kissed Me Genre: Attempt At Rock Thwarted By The Label And Talent Rating: 1.5 out of 5 Highlights: Shadows Of The Night Streetheart Shadows of the Night - co-written by Sweet and covered/improved by Pat Benatar. Always great to learn something about a favorite. Streetheart - a Sweet tune, written in the vein of the 80s tough ballads delivered in a voice that could not have a clue about the topic. I thought I was going to hear some really great music from this artist. This album is a mix of Sweet's own songs and those foisted upon her by the label. I am not a fan of: 1. 50s schlocky music, esp. that from Phil Spector. (Ronnie had grit, to put up with his (insert rhyming word here) 2. That little girl, sing song delivery that continues today. (a la Spears and all the autotuned Lolitas)

The 1981 Listening Post - Carmine Appice - Carmine Appice

 Reviewed by Marie Miele Miller

Released: 1981 Carmine Appice Carmine Appice Genre: Ego Rock Rating: 2 out of 5 Highlights: Keep On Rolling Blue Cafe Drum City Rockers (Ballad Of Drum City Surfer Girls) Lowlight: Be My Baby 1. Keep on Rockin - a catchy tune, forgettable lyrics, major beats. 2. Drum City Rocker - one long drum solo. 3. Blue Café - a catchy tune, but it feels like it’s a rip off of Simple Man - its wants to be a Skynyrd tune, but doesn’t quite get there. Be My Baby - the spectre of the ubiquitous P. Spector again! (see review of Rachel Sweet) A vanity album if there ever was one, with songs like Drums Drums Drums, Drum City Rocker, and an instrumental organ (?!!) rendition of The Stones' Paint it Black, you know your aren't going to get sonnets that are set to well crafted melodies. Don’t listen to this if you want some peace or need to sleep. Appice is a big name in rock and a drumming authority, whose voice is reminiscent of Aldo Nova. Songs are co-written and a little like Starship's We Built This City, if you cathch my drift. A song in the mix is called Am I Losing You - and the answer is, Yes.

The 1980 Listening Post - The Radiators (AU) - Feel the Heat

Reviewed by Marie Miele Miller Released: March 7 1980 The Radiators (AU) Feel The Heat Genre: Punk / New Wave Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Highlights: All of Your Love 17 (I Wish I Was) Nancy Can't Dance Radiation Reniniscent of The Cars, The Clash, The Psychedelic Furs, Mark Knopfler dobro guitar, Dale Bozzio delivery and Heart folky guitar. Has bits and pieces of 80s synthetic, bebop, disco, and a Cold War nuke exposure theme thrown in for good measure. An Aussie band that we would not have heard. Could put it into a playlist, in random sort for kicks or to trip up your "I can name that tune/band" know-it-all friend!