Bookended by Cats was named after Milo and Otis. They are the short, orange, and furry brothers who, upon entering our lives in 2003, often bookended us on our couch. And who are we? We're a geek couple living in PA. We love music, movies, TV, comics, books, and comic cons. And, from time to time, we'll share our thoughts on these nerdy things.
[33 Years Ago This Week] -- I'm going to be 51 soon. In this very month as a matter of fact. So, for this final weekend of April 2019, I'm taking a look back to April 1986. Specifically, April 26, 1986. On or around that day, Marshall Holman won the Firestone World Bowling Tournament of Champions, France performed a nuclear test, the Chernobyl nuclear power station in USSR exploded, and these five songs topped the Billboard Hot 100.
[1+9+8+2] -- I have something of a treat for you 80-philes this weekend. English rock band, Status Quo, is anything but the status quo. They formed in 1962 and they are still active -- that's six decades of recording and performing! Seven of their 32 studio albums were released in the 80s. They even performed at Live Aid in 1985. Yes, the lineup has changed over time, and so has their sound. In the 80s, they were still playing the hard boogie rock style they had adopted in the 70s. 1+9+8+2 (1982) was their 15th studio LP, and it represented the 20th anniversary of the first meeting between guitarist Francis Rossi and bassist Alan Lancaster. Hence the XX ("20" in Roman numerals) on the album cover ... and because 1+9+8+2 = 20. Now, even by the 80s, over 30 years ago, there was a sense of "been there, heard that" in regards to Status Quo. Some critics even said the band's late 70s and early 80s works were a parody of their earlier endeavors. And the critics weren't exactly wrong. But, maybe, not every record has to be groundbreaking and trendsetting. Sometimes, maybe, you need more of the same. Something comfortable to slip onto the turntable. And that's certainly the case with 1+9+8+2. It's not bad, but it's fun. You won't be humming these tunes an hour later, but while this record is spinning, you just might bob your head and tap your foot along with it. With that sincere plug, read and hear more after the jump!
[Your Moody Dreams] -- In April of 1986, the Moody Blues released their 12th studio album, The Other Side of Life. Although the Moody Blues are widely regarded as a 60s progressive band, this was the third of ultimately four records they released in the 80s. That feat certainly qualifies them to be considered 80s artists as well, then, yes? If releasing four albums isn't enough to qualify them, then maybe having seven top 40 rock singles does. And two of those tunes came from this very record. Long time fans of the Moody Blues might have been a bit disappointed, or even confused, by the band's embracing of synthesizers, sequencers, and drum machines over their usual more symphonic sound. But new fans flocked to the record. The Other Side of Life peaked at #9 on the US Billboard 200 albums chart and it went platinum, meaning it sold well over 1,000,000 units in the US alone. Of course, the Moody Blues later proved they still had those symphonic chops with a live performance at Red Rocks, Colorado (1992). But, back to The Other Side of Life, "Your Wildest Dreams" was a massive hit for the band peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #1 on the Adult Contemporary chart. And the title track, "The Other Side of Life," reached #11 on the Mainstream Rock chart after being released as a single in August 1986. "The Other Side of Life" was decidedly more plodding and introspective than "Your Wildest Dreams," so you might not recall that one. But I bet you're hearing the chorus of "Your Wildest Dreams" in your head now that you've read the title just a few times. Well, it's the very first track of this 33-year-old album, so if you join me in revisiting The Other Side of Life, you might purge that earworm by the time you finish the other eight songs.
Flashback: The Other Side of Life (1986) by the Moody Blues
That's all till next week, folks. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
[That's the Book, That's the Book] -- I'm sorry, but the name of this week's band always makes me think of a particular song by ABC. Now, with that out of my system, we'll move forward with the post in earnest. Book of Love's self-titled debut album hit stores 33 years ago this week. This synthpop band came together in Philadelphia in 1983 with vocalist Susan Ottaviano and three keyboardists -- Ted Ottaviano (unrelated?), Lauren Roselli, and Jade Lee. Their first two singles -- "Boy" and "I Touch Roses" -- preceded the release of Book of Love (1986) by a year, and both did well on the US Club Play chart. The band's chart activity earned them a spot opening for Depeche Mode in 1986, also prior to them having an album. But when Book of Love was finally released, it got very little notice. Their third single failed to chart while their fourth and final single barely made the Top 20 -- again, speaking of the US Club Play chart, not Billboard. They would release one more album in the 80s, Lullaby (1988), and two more in the 90s -- Candy Carol (1991) and Lovebubble (1993) -- before disbanding in 1994. I consider them an unsung hero, or team of unsung heroes, of the 80s electronica and dance scene. So, what better way to revisit their debut release than spinning the entire record?
Flashback: Book of Love #1
Boy - 0:00
Counting The Rosaries - 7:22
I Touch Roses - 10:31
Modigliani - 16:09
Witchcraft - 23:01
Lullaby - 25:55
Tubular Bells - 29:21
Pretty Boys and Pretty Girls - 32:08
Alice Everyday - 36:43
You Make Me Feel So Good - 40:42
Die Matrosen - 45:37
Book of Love - 48:30
That's all till next week, folks. Dedicated 80s-philes can find more flashbacks in the Prophet or Madman archives or via Bookended's 80s Flashback tag. As always, your comments are welcome on today's, or any other, flashback post. And if you like what I'm doing here, please share the link with your friends. If, however, you don't like the flashback, feel free to share it with your enemies.
