Lost 80's

Gary Crowley has given us two box sets of wonderful lost 80's tracks featuring lesser known acts like The Suede Crocodiles, Friends Again and Working Week alongside less well known tracks from the likes of Elvis Costello, Madness and The Undertones.

The selection of tracks from the DJ and broadcaster is spot on, introducing people to 80's tracks that have become overlooked or simply forgotten in the midst of time. As a child of the 80's a fair number of these tracks bring back great memories of growing up in that time.

Both sets are full of truly inspiring moments and the essence of the real spirit of innovation that infused so much of the decade's music, all chosen by a true music fan. A view of the 80s from a different perspective that works like a dream. The first set in particular serves as a timely reminder of the plethora of talent which was emerging from Scotland at the time, some of whom went on to become household names - Bluebells, Altered Images etc.

Both sets have lovingly written booklets that compliment the music and make you want to listen to the tracks within. For fans of 80's music from just outside the mainstream these are both essential box sets that are particularly great for a Saturday night home disco, if you are so inclined...

Springsteen and Carver

For me, Raymond Carver is one of the most important American writers of the twentieth century. His stories often depict the struggles of everyday people without ever speaking down to them. Like Chekhov before him he imbued them with the dignity they richly deserved. Springsteen's Nebraska features characters that could have come straight out of a Carver short story, people trying to get by, making the most of the hand they've been dealt. 

In the title song Springsteen tries to explain why people act in a certain way even though they are aware of the consequences. He quotes the words of the teenage murderer who suggests that the situation someone finds themself in might be the reason why they carry out certain actions and might not necessarily be by choice. It’s a journey that takes us deep inside the minds of people who are struggling to survive in a world that has left them behind.

Springsteen makes no judgement - he leaves that to the listener whilst at the same time forcing us to confront the inherent darkness that exists within society. Like Carver's characters who have done bad things you are left to look at what brought them to that place and then make your own mind up about the reasons behind their actions.

This is song writing of the highest quality that elevates Springsteen above most of his contemporaries and demonstrates what an incredible storyteller he is.

Nebraska, the album, is a masterpiece - showcasing the emotional power of his song writing like no other Springsteen album.

**Looks like the Springsteen video has been taken down...here's The Cash Brothers with wonderful Nebraska instead **

 

Ally's Tartan Army

Nostalgia is a powerful drug, especially the older you get. When you are young, you are developing your sense of self. The things we do, the people we know, the shows we watch, and so on all have an effect on who we are. In a way, those things become part of us in a way that few things do after the fact. So when you go back to something from your childhood it's like rediscovering a part of yourself that you missed.

I was transported back to 1978 when chatting to someone in work last week. We were talking about music and TV from back then and somehow got onto talking about Scotland's World Cup tune from said year. You know the tongue in cheek one when we were going to The Argentine to lift the trophy, whilst gently mocking our Southern neighbours who failed to qualify. The song captures the spirit and pride of Scottish football fans who all rallied behind the national team. The chorus highlights the (misguided) faith and optimism of the fans. It was an anthem and was known and sung by pretty much the entire population of Scotland. The song's infectious energy and uplifting message brought everyone together and reminded us all of what truly mattered - our love for the great game and pride in our nation.

I remember the song being played constantly around the house and today it still resonates with football enthusiasts and serves as a testament to the indomitable spirit of sportsmanship and the camaraderie shared amongst fans.

It goes without saying that we didn't bring the trophy back but, like so many others, I feel an overwhelming sense of nostalgia and pride when I hear Ally's Tartan Army. Innocent times when we were all united. It brings back so many memories of the 9 year old me running around in my Scotland top and kicking a football whenever I could. All the time, without realising, developing my sense of self and forming a memory I would look nostalgically back on over 45 years later.

 

JuJu

JuJu was one of the first albums I ever bought, from a  long departed department store in Glasgow called Lewis's. Not that I knew it at the time but it was an album that shaped the future of post punk and laid the groundwork for the emerging goth scene. For me this is the most complete and consistent Banshees album. Juju sees Siouxsie and the Banshees operating in a squalid wall of sound dominated by tribal drum and swirling guitars, all topped off with Siouxsie's unique fractured vocals. Siouxsie and company took things to an entirely new level of darkness on Juju, the upfront intensity of Juju probably isn't matched anywhere else in the catalogue of Siouxsie and the Banshees. Thanks to its killer singles, unrelenting force, and invigorating dynamics, Juju is a post-punk classic. 

Original Banshees guitarist John McKay and drummer Kenny Morris had left following the release of the group’s second album, Join Hands, in 1979, but Sioux, and bassist Steve Severin found pedigree replacements in ex-Slits/Big In Japan drummer Budgie and former Magazine guitarist John McGeoch. The new-look Banshees rapidly developed almost supernatural chemistry. On their own, Juju’s hits showed that The Banshees were now leagues ahead of most of their contemporaries. The heady Arabian Nights featured an impassioned Sioux lyric commenting on the oppression of women in the Middle East while the mesmeric Spellbound was simply an unstoppable whirling dervish propelled by Budgie’s relentless drums and McGeoch’s frenzied acoustic guitar. However, the rest of Juju was equally satisfying and richly deserves its exalted reputation in the post-punk pantheon. 

Fear Of Music

Even though most people see Remain In Light as their masterpiece, Fear Of Music was the album that really got me into the group. You can already see them moving into the dense, atmospheric style of Remain in Light, with producer Brian Eno's influence becoming more prominent, but their pop sensibilities are as strong as ever. Fear Of Music represents a sudden maturation of the Talking Heads sound, supplementing the frenetic, punkish vibe of their first two albums with the more eclectic style for which they would become best known. On Eno's second collaboration with the Talking Heads, he encouraged them to expand their musical horizons further, and, although a fairly traditional verse-chorus-verse-chorus structure is still in place, this album is the beginning of the band's musical experimentation. For me this is their masterpiece; every song works seamlessly with the others and shows a band that's not afraid of taking risks. 

The way the drums, guitar, and bass all interlock to create the rhythms rather than any one instrument taking over is brilliant. It moves further into strange soundscapes than it's predecessor, while maintaining polished pop credentials. The lyrics are that of a man who is at odds with his environment, somewhat estranged from normality. The music is sharp post-punk guitar driven, yet also has many ethereal moments where you'll drift away on shimmering chords of bliss. 

The opening track I Zimbra demonstrated right away the band's departure from their previously spare, angular style into something more world-music inspired. With nonsensical lyrics and African-themed rhythms this song set the tone for the musically diverse tracks that follow. The playfulness and irreverence of the opener is swiftly replaced with frustration on Mind which serves as a reflection on how impossible it was to get through to people sometimes. The album also contains of their most seminal songs, the insanely catchy Life During Wartime and one of my personal favourite Heads tracks, the beautiful Heaven with its gorgeously understated arrangement. 

I love every aspect of the album, from the minimal cover art, David Byrne's manic vocals, the rhythms, the guitars and the predominantly one word song titles. So filled of musical genius and tension this is one album I never tire of listening to. Creative and energetic, a bit mindless. Lots of fun and my favourite by The Heads. 

The Pretenders

Chrissie Hynde may well be my favourite female vocalist. The way she glides and soars round a vocal line is simply sublime, never more evident than on their eponymous debut. An original hybrid of rock, punk and new wave, with a little bit of funk and reggae thrown in for good measure this 1979 classic introduced the world to the unique vocals of Chrissie. Combining blunt honesty with an inner vulnerability she smashed all the old stereotypes and marked a new era in female singers, making it cool for independent women to make music that was sexy because it wasn't sexual.

It's a deep, rewarding record, whose primary virtue is its sheer energy, it moves faster and harder than most rock records, delivering an endless series of melodies, hooks, and infectious rhythms in its 12 songs. Having James Honeyman Scott throwing inventive riffs behind almost every song certainly helped, as did the undeniable power of Martin Chambers and Pete Farndon as a rhythm team. All the chemistry was in perfect coordination here. 

Infectious, groundbreaking, spirited, conventional and new, The Pretenders self titled debut stands as a landmark rock n roll album that helped drag the underground of 1970's punk kicking and screaming into the overground. 

The Pretenders introduced us to Chrissie Hynde and it immediately catapulted her to the upper echelon of lead singers. Her style was forceful, feminine, distinct and warned everybody that she could kick your ass if she had to, the sense of a great rock star apparent simply in her breath and moan and exhalation. 

Over 40 years later the album still sounds awesome, and has aged unbelievably well. Few albums, let alone debuts, are ever this astonishingly addictive.

Kilimanjaro

If you are only going to make two albums make them as good as the two released in the early 80's from The Teardrop Explodes. Last night I listened to Kilimanjaro for the first time in a while and it sounded every bit as vibrant and original as I remember it. Hard now to believe that both U2 and Duran Duran apparently considered The Teardrop Explodes as their own real competition. Cope wasn't even then your typical pop star but pop star he was briefly although if you delve into his lyrics they certainly weren't about Girls On Film or Karma Chameleons. 

Kilimanjaro was wildly ambitious, shiny and polished, choc full of unforgettable tunes including a certain track that catapulted them into the Top 10 and into our living rooms through TOTP. Reward sounded awesome then and still does so today, a stampede of Northern Soul energy that needs to be played at full volume.

The Teardrops had an innate gift for for a poppy hook and captivating melody that set them apart from some of their contemporaries. The genesis of Kilimanjaro was troubled with large amounts of LSD being consumed, making it all the more amazing that something as perfectly formed emerged from those recording sessions. It is an album that finds the band at the top of their game, a band that could have had it all which appears to be the last thing Cope wanted. 

You can hear the influence of The Teardrops on so many bands in recent years, from The Killers to Blur and The Libertines. Kilimanjaro remains timeless and listening to it again it's apparent why it spent 35 weeks on the charts. 

Raw Power

On January 16th 1991 Glasgow Barrowland played host to the one and only Iggy Pop. I had been going to gigs at The Barrowland for around 5 years up to this but few gigs had me so excited pre-gig as Iggy. I had been a fan for years and was worried I had built this one up to much in advance.

Within a few minutes of Iggy hitting that world famous stage it was blindingly apparent that I had not built it up enough. He opened the set with Raw Power and that is literally what it was, with Iggy a whirlwind of primal energy. It was a blistering start and it never let up the whole night. I first heard The Stooges when I was 15 and had waited years to see Iggy and hear those songs live. I had watched video footage from the likes of So It Goes and The Tube but nothing quite prepares you for the real thing. He was like a man possessed and was clearly having the time of his life on that stage. Those first Stooges albums were game changers for me, along with the likes of The Velvet Underground. 

We were treated to China Girl, Lust For Life, Real Wild Child and many other classic Iggy tracks but is was that opener, 1969 and the closing trio of I Wanna Be Your Dog, No Fun and Search and Destroy that elevated that cold, winter night in Glasgow to one of the best gigs I have seen. It was an epic finale with the crowd going ballistic and that ferocious riff almost lifting the roof off The Barrowland.

Iggy was 45 at the time of the gig but had more energy and stage presence than almost any performer I have seen live. The influence he has had on so many bands over the years cannot be underestimated and Jan 16th showed why he is a legend, why his music is so important and why we should always treasure Iggy. 

Into My Arms

I'm always drawn to lyrics that speak to me on some level, whether they are about love. life, politics or whatever else. As long as I connect to them in some way they have done their job.

I've always been fascinated by the lyrics of Nick Cave who, for me, is on of the great modern day lyricists. The imagery in much of his songwriting is incredible and I've always found a resonance in many of his love songs, in particular Into My Arms. A beautiful, melancholic love song that goes straight to the heart. Cloaked in religious imagery this is one of those tracks that just gets me every time I listen to it. 

At its heart a song about loss and the sorrow that ensues, there is an emotional quality that few other songwriters can match. Reminding us that even in the darkest of times we are not alone, there is a good reason why Cave himself treasures this song so much. 

A beautiful piano led melody that speaks to people in a way that is universal and is rightly revered as one of his most beautiful songs with an opening line that draws you in from the off, this is songwriting of the highest order that Cave performed privately at the funeral of Michael Hutchence. 

A Little Bit Of Melodic Sunshine

Late 2000 I was nearing the end of my time working in record stores, and was not really enjoying listening to music as much as usual. There wasn't much that piqued my interest at the time and I was opening those new release boxes on a Friday afternoon hoping to find that elusive something to get my musical mojo up and running again. 

Step forward Enjoy The Melodic Sunshine, courtesy of Glasgow's very own Cosmic Rough Riders. I knew the name, but not too much else at that time. Something about the cover intrigued me enough to put it on and have a listen, and I was not disappointed. Well crafted, melodic tunes played with honesty and sincerity, this was just the tonic I needed to appreciate quality music again. I could hear so much of my favourite music in there - The Byrds, Neil Young etc - but this was uniquely Cosmic Rough Riders. I've always thought the title of the album perfectly sums up the tracks within, music that is uplifting and just makes you feel good. 

Essentially a compilation of tracks from their first two albums, it's an album I never tire of listening to. Similar to Teenage Fanclub with Big Star, the album was responsible for me appreciating more the sounds of the likes of CSNY, Buffalo Springfield and Fairport Convention. A couple of Top 40 hits ensued (and an appearance on TOTP) but like The Go Betweens and Trashcan Sinatras it remains a mystery as to why every household doesn't know their wonderful music. 

The album is being reissued on vinyl later this year from those lovely folks at Last Night From Glasgow, on four different vinyl colours. Well recommended for fans of timeless, melodic tunesmithery.