Friday 80s Flashback for 4/28/2017

[Guilty Pleasures 2 (or is it 3?)] -- Well, it's my birthday weekend. Somehow, this past week, the topic of guilty pleasures in regards to music came up. You know, songs you like even though you feel a little embarrassed about it. I first posted a few such Guilty Pleasures in 2013. I did another set in 2014, but not under the banner of "Guilty Pleasures" (that was All Right, Already, Enough with the Flamingos!) Generally speaking, if I like a song from the 80s, I'm not embarrassed about it. But that doesn't mean other folks share my opinion. So, I've decided to share a few more of my unpopular opinions. If you're curious to know three more songs that rank on my list of guilty pleasures, you can read and hear more after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback for April 14, 2017

J. Geils: 1946 - 2017

[RIP J. Geils] -- J. Geils, guitarist and leader of the J. Geils band, passed away this week.  I have so many fond memories of the J. Geils Band's music that I had to make them the subject of this week's Flashback post. The band had its roots in the mid-60s as an acoustic blues trio called Snoopy and the Sopwith Camels. By 1968, they had opted for a more electric sound, added a few members, and rebranded themselves as the J. Geils Blues Band. They dropped the "Blues" part of the name by the time they recorded their eponymous debut album in 1970. Their third album, Bloodshot (1973), was their first taste of commercial success. But it wasn't until 1980 that they reached their peak level of success and mainstream popularity. That was shouldered squarely by two records: Love Stinks (1980) and Freeze-Frame (1981). Everyone knows the big hits from those records ("Love Stinks," "Centerfold," and "Freeze-Frame"). So the rest of this Flashback will feature a few of their lesser known tunes. I might be the only person to hold them in as high esteem as their hits, but perhaps you'll come to embrace them as I do. They're waiting for you just after the jump. Feel free to let me know your favorites as well.

The Heart of Batman (Batman, Vol. 3 #20)

Yeah, Batman is still here. Respect!

The finale of "I am Bane," the fourth arc of writer Tom King's run on Batman, comes to a close in Batman, Vol. 3 #20. Tom King (Omega Men, The Vision, The Sheriff of Babylon) might not have been everyone's pick to follow Scott Snyder, but I know I was psyched about it (I mean, I love, love LOVED his run on Omega Men). And now, after having lit a proverbial fuse about 10 issues ago, this story has paid off in spades. Or batarangs. OK, maybe not batarangs. I don't think a single batarang was thrown in this throwdown between Bane and Batman.

Anyway, if I'm being honest, I'm worried any time Bane is front and center. Not because I'm worried about what will happen to Batman. No, it's because I'm one of maybe a dozen Bat-fans out there who don't really care for this villain who looks, acts, and talks like a professional wrestling trope on steroids. Was that redundant? Maybe. But in the hands of King and the art team, Bane has been almost interesting. And I've been on the edge of my seat with each issue.

So, if you don't care about following a full story and just want a great fight where Batman shows his major gravitas, pick up this single issue. But, if you're interested in a carefully crafted yarn that shows the heart and soul of Batman, read through this entire run from the beginning of Batman Rebirth.

Batman, Vol. 3 #20
April 5, 2017
Tom King (writer)
David Finch and Danny Miki (art)

Weaponize Cuteness (Giant Days #25)

Bobbie: "You can't weaponize cuteness."

Susan: "Watch me."

Giant Days #25

Boom! Studios 

April 5, 2017

Friday 80s Flashback for April 7, 2017

[April 7, 1984] -- Do you remember what you were doing this week in 1984? I know I was still in high school, but I have no specifics. I do, however, recall the tunes in this week's Flashback. Today we're revisiting the three tracks that topped the Billboard Hot 100 on April 7, 1984. We have two soundtrack songs, one of which is a ballad, and a song about paranoia. Man, and wait till you see how prescient that song turned out. Anyway, I'm getting ahead of myself. So, while I take a moment to sort myself, you click the jump so you can read and hear more after the break. 

Friday 80s Flashback on a Saturday for April 1, 2017

[April Fools'] -- April 1. The 32nd of March. April Fools' (or All Fools) Day. Yes, we have come to that annual observance of mirth and (hopefully minimally destructive and non-lethal) mayhem. You know: The day of reckoning (or, day of pranks and hoaxes). Well, rather than prank you, dear 80s-philes, I shall take pity on you and merely deliver an appropriately "foolish" set of 80s tunes. With an entire decade of artists who often looked the part of fools in addition to acting the role, I have many options. However, rather than looking to the Pucks and jesters who ruled (or attempted to rule) the charts, I chose to narrow my focus to their songs, specifically songs with some form of "fool" in the title. 

What foolishly delightful selections do I have for you this week? Read and hear more after the jump.