I’ve been spending some time recently listening to albums from 1984-87 that I hadn’t thought about let alone heard since the late 80s. Not necessarily because they weren’t that good. It’s mainly because I had them on tape, and my tape collection was gradually lost and destroyed in a series of moves, a flood, and lent to a friend for a roadtrip, never to be seen again (friend came back, tapes didn’t). I wasn’t moved to replace them on CD, possibly because they inhabited that odd line that wavered between mainstream rock and alternative, before most people had a label for it. I remember writing notes with a classmate around 84/85 arguing about the merits of “independent rock” versus mainstream pop. I think that’s what we were calling it, though the majority of this stuff were on major labels.
The Alarm – Strength (1985)
It’s amazing how the memories come back so quickly on hearing it. I remember a lot of the lyrics, and I’m pretty sure I haven’t heard this since 1987. I would have been embarrassed to play “Spirit Of ’76” on my college radio show, but I used to love it, and it still is kind of moving in that Springsteen/Generation X “Kiss Me Deadly” kind of way. They sound less like the U2 copyists of my memory, and Strength really doesn’t sound too dated next to the new Gaslight Anthem. I enjoyed it enough to download Declaration too.
Siouxsie & The Banshees – Tinderbox (1986)
This was my first Siouxsie album, but after I had heard the earlier ones, I sort of turned on this and felt it was a pretty diluted shadow of the earlier stuff in attempt at wider commercial success. Not it just sounds pretty much as brilliant as anything they’ve done.
World Party – Private Revolution (1987)
This seemed dorky at the time, but “Ship Of Fools” is still a jam. Some of it reminds me of Prince’s Beatles influenced stuff. Not I’ll keep listening to this much though.
Julian Cope – Saint Julian (1987)
I didn’t even know about Teardrop Explodes until after this album. I downloaded MP3s after reading the Cope biography. What a kook. It’s pretty solid, and I’d buy it again if they reissued it properly, even though there are some annoying qualities about it.
David & David – Boomtown (1986)
Blah, I don’t know what I heard in them. Polished, professional, unexciting.
That Petrol Emotion – Babble (1987)
I was obsessed with this album for a while, and really thought the band would have come out with more great stuff, but I think they shot their wad here. Production managed to push the envelope in parts like Shriekback and The The, but also sound a little dated at the same time.
The Call – Reconciled (1986)/Into The Woods (1987)
How big was this band? They seemed arena ready, but don’t know what kind of crowds they ever drew. Never saw ’em. I really loved Reconciled at the time, Into the Woods less so. Doesn’t move me anymore, any pleasure of hearing again is pure nostalgia.
Game Theory – Big Shot Chronicles (1986)/Lolita Nation (1987)
I really thought I would like these more on re-hearing. They albums seem to have maintained a pretty strong critical reputation over the years. The off-kilter minor key stuff maybe isn’t what I want to hear right now, will try again later.
Sisters Of Mercy – First And Last And Always (1984)/Floodland (1987)
I’d completely forgotten about this band, and used to mix them up in my mind with The Mission. Not a fan of the goth that was inspired by them, but as silly as some of it is, I kind of like it.
The Cure – The Top (1984)/The Head On The Door (1985)
Always thought of this as their worst album. Picked up a used copy of the double deluxe remaster and hearing it on good headphones was enlightening. Songwriting may not be there, but the sounds are fun to dig into. Something about The Head On The Door used to bug me. I think it might have been that the tape was warped. It was a crappy copy that probably melted a little in the car or something. I picked up a used copy of the double deluxe set and it sounds so much better than I remember. Always liked the three hits, but the other cuts sound much better than the wobbly filler I remember. I’m definitely learning to appreciate their mid period albums more second time around.
Shriekback – Oil & Gold (1985)
I actually did get Big Night Music on CD and have listened to that the most, even though many probably consider this their best. It’s less slinky and atmospheric, but still pretty great.
The Waterboys – This Is The Sea (1985)
When I was a big U2 fan in 84-85 I probably should have been a fan of these guys, but could never get into this one. Still having trouble with it, though I did think Fisherman’s Blues was pleasant. Something about Mike Scott’s voice or their arrangements just aren’t doing it for me.
XTC – The Big Express (1985)
The only song I really remembered was “All You Pretty Girls.” The relatively scarce melodies and hooks don’t detract it from being an interesting album, but it also didn’t stick over the years. Ironically it makes it sound more fresh now. But I couldn’t possibly rate it overSkylarking.
The Smithereens – Especially For You (1986)
I remember “Blood And Roses” kind of blew up, rightly so. A pretty solid album that’s borderline 60s revivalist that was a gateway to similar bands like the Lime Spiders, Godfathers, Lyres and Original Sins.
Hugo Largo – Drum (1987)
Freakin’ gorgeous. They should do a deluxe reissue treatment of this.
