Friday 80s Flashback for December 31, 2021

[New Year, Old Songs] -- And so we have arrived at the final Friday of 2021. This weekend we'll launch into 2022 (and hope it's not "2020, too," right?). As I have spent many of my 2021 posts celebrating the 40th anniversary of songs and albums from 1981, why not go into 2022 by revisiting what topped the charts the week of January 2, 1982. As 1981 turned to 1982, New Year's Eve fell to Thursday, 12/31/1981, and the first two days of 1982 were a Friday and Saturday. Therefore, the Billboard Hot 100 for that week's most popular songs fell on Saturday, 1/2/1982. And the song topping the chart that week was merely in the middle of its 10-week run in the #1 spot! But what other songs were getting the most airplay as 1981 faded into memory? Well, in the spirit of counting down to a new year and all that, I've made a YouTube playlist with the top ten tracks of 1/2/1982 in reverse order:

10. “Trouble” – Lindsey Buckingham

9. “Don't Stop Believin'” – Journey

8. “Leather And Lace” – Stevie Nicks With Don Henley

7. “Why Do Fools Fall In Love” – Diana Ross

6. “Harden My Heart” – Quarterflash

5. “Young Turks” – Rod Stewart

4. “I Can't Go For That (No Can Do)” – Daryl Hall John Oates

3. “Let's Groove” – Earth, Wind & Fire

2 . “Waiting For A Girl Like You” – Foreigner

1 . “Physical” – Olivia Newton-John

Flashback: New Year 1982 Playlist for New Year 2022! 

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If you want to see more of the Billboard Hot 100 from 40 years ago this week, here is the full list. 

Otherwise, that's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Hawkeye - Disney Plus

 Dangrdafne review:

Loved it!

A little "stupid" at times bro but oh my did I laugh, cry and enjoy. This is a really good show overall! A great installment in the MCU and I love how it looks back, sideways and forward. It filled in a lot of information for me.

Hailee Steinfeld and Jeremy Renner play off each other so well. Their timing and chemistry are excellent and I love their history and how they come together for the story. The one trailer I saw showed some of the chemistry and comedy and the show was even more that I could have hoped for between them. Vera Farmiga deserves mention too, she is excellent as Eleanor Bishop, Kate's Mom, she is an unknown in the story and she plays it perfectly.

Could you enjoy this show without having seen the rest of the Marvel installments? Maybe? The interaction between Kate and Clint is hilarious and clever so that could be enjoyed but you would really miss out on all the little things that make the show special, I think. Knowing the backstories adds more meat to it all and knowing the characters already helps you understand a lot of what is happening and why. 

There were quite a few things I didn't catch because I didn't read the comic series this is based on and after having Brainwise tell me some of the info, it did add to my enjoyment and "understanding" of the series but I was also just fine without the detail. 

Some of my favorite extras were the LARPers (Live Action Role Playing) and the dog. LARPing can get a bad rap but the use of it in the series is perfect and adds so much to the story. The dog was adorable and a special piece of the story. I also appreciated the hearing issues that came into play in the story (no spoilers here).

The filming is great too. The scene in the car during the car chase is like nothing I have seen before. I was entranced and would love to see a "making of" episode for it.

This is a definite good watch for Christmas too as it is set in the days leading up to Christmas. The music is perfect and NYC is a beautiful place to be for Christmas.

4 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for December 24, 2021

[A Very Elfman Christmas] -- I previously wrote a Flashback about the 1989 release of the Scrooged original soundtrack. But today, Christmas Eve day, seems a great time to address Danny Elfman's original film score. The 1988 holiday movie, Scrooged was Elfman's first big-budget Hollywood score, and he really took to this chance to compose and perform music for a modern, comedic adaptation of Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol. Elfman's music in the film is a full of holiday spirit, jovial and slightly otherworldly. Yet for the longest time, fans could enjoy the score only as part of the movie. A separate recording of this Original Motion Picture Score wasn't released until 2011 and 2019, each time being a limited run (although there were several variations released in 2019). Fortunately, those of us who missed out on the limited edition vinyl releases can turn to YouTube for our Christmas Elfman fix. And it's the perfect soundtrack for your holiday activities, whether those activities include wrapping presents, baking up a storm, or even just sitting quietly for a spell. 

Flashback: Scrooged (2011 OST for 1988 film)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

A Boy Called Christmas - Netflix

 Dangrdafne review 

I had seen that there was a new Holiday movie on Netflix but didn't run right off to see it. Then a friend of ours saw it and couldn't say enough good things about it, so I put it on the front burner. Last night we watched it.

What a glorious movie. The story telling is wonderful, the cinematography entrancing and the cast is impeccable. Maggie Smith, Jim Broadbent, Stephen Merchant, Toby Jones, Sally Hawkins and the glorious actor, portraying the Boy, Henry Lawfull. Even all the supporting cast is incredible. The are all perfect for their roles and honestly, for me, the movie is 4 paws just for having Maggie Smith in it. Luckily the whole movie supports the paw rating outside of Maggie Smith too.

The story overall is the history of Christmas and it is told in such a clever way. It is also about loss and we did indeed cry as the story hits home and doesn't let go. There were so many other stories this reminded me of and they are all other stories I love so it was very comforting and warm to watch.

I highly recommend adding this movie to your holiday watch list. When it ended Brainwise had already added it to the annual viewings, a list that includes: White Christmas, The Man Who Came to Dinner, Elf, Christmas Carol with Alastair Sim and a few other classics. So this is quite the company for this new movie to be added to and it is well deserved in our household.

Go and lose yourself in this world, enjoy a "history" lesson and in the end, a kindness lesson too. 

 Happy Holidays to you and yours.

4 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for December 17, 2021

[Durutti for the Holidays] -- For this week's Flashback, I was looking for a record released in the first half of December 1981. And I thought I had found one in The Durutti Column's sophomore release, LC, the title of which stands for "Lotta Continua" (Italian for "the struggle continues"). But after some more digging, I learned that this record was listed incorrectly, and it was actually released in November 1981. However, because the release date still marks the record as forty years old as of ... well, the last thirty days or so, I decided to keep it for this week's post. 

The Durutti Column is an English post-punk band. They have been active since 1978 with their last release being the 2018 compilation, M24J (Anthology). The Durutti Column initially built a reputation separate from their more dance-rock labelmates on Factory Records in that their early sound featured minimal electronics and wafting, almost fluid, guitar melodies. Also, their records have what I call intermittent, and kind of inscrutable, vocals. That means this week's offering, LC, is a gentle alternative to the standard holiday fare you might feel has been bombarding your ears of late.

Please note that the YouTube playlist I've embedded is from the 1996 reissue; it has six additional tracks (#11 - #16) that did not appear on the 1981 release. And one of those additions is "One Christmas for Your Thoughts," The Durutti Column's contribution to the 1981 compilation, Chantons Noël - Ghosts Of Christmas Past. Therefore, although I wasn't really trying for one, I'm going to say that the mere inclusion of that tune qualifies this Flashback as a holiday music post (albeit kind of an undercover one). 

Flashback: The Durutti Column – LC

Tracklist:

1.  Sketch For Dawn I
2.  Portrait For Frazer
3.  Jacqueline
4.  Messidor
5.  Sketch For Dawn II
6.  Never Known
7.  The Act Committed
8.  Detail For Paul
9.  The Missing Boy
10.  The Sweet Cheat Gone
11.  For Mimi
12.  Belgian Friends
13.  Self Portrait
14.  One Christmas For Your Thoughts
15.  Danny
16.  Enigma

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for December 12, 2021

 

[Holiday-ish Music] -- In December 2010, in my Prophet or Madman days, I did four straight weeks of music about "Winter Holidays." I have since re-shared the Week 2 post -- dated 12/10/2010 -- on two other occasions (during the second week of December in 2011 and 2014). So, as long as I am currently trying to wrap up assignments before this Fall term ends (have I mentioned I'm in grad school these days?), and because I did not find a December 1981 album for this week, why not re-run that prior Seasons Greetings kind of playlist again? I mean, if you think about it, reruns are kind of what I do with these posts. 

To rediscover those stocking stuffers I first shared eleven years ago this week, read and hear more after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback for December 3, 2021

 

[An Experimental Homosapien] -- Intro. Released 12/1/1981, Pete Shelley's second solo album, Homosapien, found the musician departing from the punk stylings of his previous band, The Buzzcocks, in favor of programmed synths and drum machines. But it wasn't solely synthpop; Shelley also used his guitar to good effect on these songs. Or at least most of them -- check out "Just One Of Those Affairs," for example.

And just look at that album cover. Who among us didn't want a desk/table setup like that 40 years ago? So gloriously future-modern for the early 1980s! (Also, I had that red phone; used it during the latter half of my college tenure through my first several post-college years). 

Flashback: Homosapien (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for November 26, 2021

[Christmas with Boney M.] -- Forty years ago this week, R&B and Euro-Caribbean vocal group Boney M. released Christmas Album, their sixth studio album. Anchored by "Mary's Boy Child – Oh My Lord," Boney M.'s 1978 #1 Christmas single in the UK, this collection featured a mix of holiday favorites and newer pieces, such as the instrumental, "Winter Fairy-Tale." In some areas, Christmas Album had the alternate title of Christmas with Boney M., which can get confusing as there was a 1984 compilation with that same title. I have vague recollections of hearing Boney M.'s version of "Little Drummer Boy" on the radio, but I'm not certain if it was during Christmas Eves of my youth or during my early 1990s drives across PA to visit my family for the holidays. I am certain, however, that those radio broadcasts did not pair "Little Drummer Boy" with "Jingle Bells" as this YouTube playlist does. 

Flashback: Boney M. -- Christmas Album (November 1981)

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And that's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings - Disney +

Dangrdafne review:

Stunningly beautiful and gorgeously choreographed. Perfect music, well written, great casting and acting. This movie stands on its own without an issue BUT if you have watched the full Marvel Universe prior to seeing this movie, there are so many pieces that make the movie even better!

The character of Shang-Chi is perfectly cast and Simu Liu is incredible in the role. Awkwafina is definitely the comedic relief but she is integral to the story and I adore her in this role. I think everyone else is exactly perfect even if the casting of the sister kind of gave away the ending to me but not in the ways you would think. Sorry, no spoilers here :)

Ironically I was spoiled about something when the movie first came out but completely forgot about it until we watched the movie and I was surprised, LOL. 

I loved that I felt like I was watching all the Oriental art I have seen in my life come to life on the screen in the front of me. I was completely enthralled watching this movie. Such amazing eye candy. The choreography was perfection and the music matched every scene perfectly. I can't wait to watch this again to see things I am sure I missed the first time.

I loved all the tie ins to the MCU and appreciated how it all worked. We even wondered which part of the story came first in regards to how this story fits into the rest of the MCU. 

4 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for November 19, 2021

[Still Loving Rock 'n Roll] -- Forty years ago yesterday, 11/18/1981, Joan Jett released her second studio album, I Love Rock 'n Roll. Although it was her second record, this LP was her first with The Blackhearts, the backing band she still fronts (and with whom her career has been intrinsically linked). I Love Rock 'n Roll is Joan Jett's biggest commercial success. It peaked at #2 on the Billboard 200 and sold over one million copies in the US. The album's title track, and first single, is probably her best known hit, but she didn't write it. It's a cover of The Arrows' original 1975 song. Jett's 1981 version of "I Love Rock 'n Roll" reached #1 on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Mainstream Rock, and US Cash Box Top 100 charts, making it her highest charting hit in her career. The second single was another cover: Tommy James & The Shondells' 1968 hit, "Crimson and Clover." Jett's version of that tune was a top 10 hit on the US Billboard Hot 100, US Mainstream Rock, and US Cash Box Top 100 charts, as well as a top 40 hit in several other countries. It remains her second-highest charting single to date. As a whole, this is a tough and loud record that covers quite a bit of musical territory over the course of ten tracks (or up to 15 tracks on later remastered editions): for example, there's glam rock, psychedelia, and holiday ("Little Drummer Boy"). 

In addition to the better known tracks, I have a fondness for "Bits and Pieces" and "Love is Pain." How about you? 

Flashback: Joan Jett and the Blackhearts -- I Love Rock 'n Roll (1981)

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And that's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

 Dangrdafne review: 

“Men tell stories, … Women get on with it.”

I’m so grateful that in this case Kristin Hannah told a story. And what a story it is! An intense story of love, grief, war, family and survival at all costs. 

My sister wanted to be sure I read this book especially after my review of WandaVision. I was more than curious but it turns out that this book is just another way of conveying how grief can inspire and spur on humans. And it was mostly definitely about superheroes. Super human women who changed the world. Who did the impossible and showed just how women “…get on with it.”

This is a long, tough read but one I don’t regret and encourage you to do also. While there is the typical you will laugh and you will cry, there is also cheering, terror, blood pressure raising sections and moments of pure elation and joy. And lots of tears, both happy and sad. 

I think after this book, though, I need to take a break from World War II stories. I’m not sure my heart can read any more for now. 

I just started to type up what the story was about but fear I will give something away that would hurt your pleasure of reading the book. Basically it is the story of two sisters and how they deal with living during WWII. I do like Kristin Hannah's clever storytelling and her way of choosing to lay out the story. 

I don't usually like large books but the writing is so good and "simple" that I read through the book in 2 days. An amazing story about amazing characters from an amazing author.

4 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for November 12, 2021

[From the Cut-Out Bin] -- This week, we are celebrating an underrated gem of broody, soul-searching music. Forty years ago this month, English post-punkers The Sound released their second studio album, From the Lion's Mouth. Like their previous LP, Jeopardy (1980), From the Lion's Mouth was roundly praised by critics, but received little commercial notice. Andy Kellman of AllMusic believes this album "should have shot [The Sound] directly between spots occupied by the like-minded Joy Division and Echo & the Bunnymen as post-punk legends, but the Fates had something else in mind." And, so, The Sound was relegated to cult status, just another band probably deserved better. In this case, it was a band with a charged sound and philosophically tinged lyrics.

Flashback: The Sound - From the Lion's Mouth (November 1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Sip Sip Bang Bang by Danika Stone

 Dangrdafne review:

 

A fast paced thriller with a love story brewing underneath it all. I was literally exhausted after reading this book. Soooo good.

I LOVE Danika Stone's writing. She always creates incredible characters that go against the norm and surprise you at every turn. She also creates wonderful scenes and tales that intrigue and excite.

I truly don’t want to tell you about this book because you have to read it to feel it all. I literally was out of breath at certain points because the writing and story were so thrilling and one part was verrry claustrophobic!

I love how the book is set in real time and uses the perfect pop culture references to move the story along and add just the right extra insight into the story. Danika knows her pop culture and I often wonder which cane first: the reference or the story. Whichever it is, I’m just glad it’s there 🙂

The ironic part of the book, that I will say, is that I kept thinking about what a good movie this will make and it turns out to be part of the book too. I could really see the book in my mind and I definitely would LOVE to meet the main characters in real life. I feel that way about all Danika’s books. She just has a way of writing her characters and making them real and plausible. Even if the story is winding around like crazy, her people are realistic and I want to know them more.

4 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for November 5, 2021

[Forty Shakes] -- On 11/6/1981, forty years ago tomorrow, The Cars released their fourth studio album, Shake It Up. Co-lead vocalist and primary songwriter, Ric Ocasek, heralded the record as "a big return to pop" though he apparently was not proud of the title track's lyrics. That title track is probably one of the band's most popular songs, it's certainly one of my faves by them, and it hit #4 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #2 on the Billboard Top Tracks chart, marking The Cars' first trip to the Billboard Top 10. The second single, "Since You're Gone," peaked at #41 and #24 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and the US Mainstream Rock charts respectively. The third single, "Victim of Love," got within the top 40 of the US Mainstream Rock chart while the final single failed to chart in the US. 

I think "I'm Not the One," with its gloomy lyrics and pop melody, should have been a single. Its inclusion on the 1985 Greatest Hits album is, I believe, supporting evidence of the song's ... greatness. 

Flashback: Shake It Up -- The Cars (1981)

1. "Since You're Gone"

2. "Shake It Up"

3. "I'm Not the One"

4. "Victim of Love"

5. "Cruiser"

6. "A Dream Away"

7. "This Could Be Love"

8. "Think It Over"

9. "Maybe Baby"

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And that's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for October 29, 2021

 

[Halloween!] -- Though not quite as rare as a full moon falling on Halloween, this year the spooky holiday also occurs very close to Friday. That means it's time for a very special Halloween edition of the Friday 80s Flashback. Now, I'm sure you've all been good little ghouls and ghosts. So, to ensure you get the most 80s goodness possible, and that you receive it in a timely manner, I'm revisiting the mega-Flashback I originally posted for Halloween 2011. I thoroughly checked it and updated any video or text links that were broken over the last several years. And, just like in 2011, and 2020, you can check out all the tunes featured in this week's flashback as a single video playlist! And it's six tracks, twice the content of my standard themed weekly offerings! Of course, you can still check out the songs one at a time, the option which includes my comments and recollections. But either way, you're getting great 80s music for the Halloween weekend! So, if you are opting for your flashbacks one-at-a-time, you can read and hear more after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback for October 22, 2021

[Goodbye Mom - Redux] -- By Friday, October 20, 2017, I was more than two thirds of the way through writing a Flashback post, but I no longer wanted to use it. My sister had called me around 5pm the prior day and told me that our mother was gone, that she had unexpectedly died overnight. Sis had gone over to Mom's house to check on her, as per usual, but instead found ... well, she found that Mom never made it out of bed that day. Her memorial service was the following Wednesday, 10/25/2017. 

So, my one and only flashback song for that -- and this -- weekend is in memory of our mother, gone too soon at age 71. I'm cribbing both the tune and the write-up from a previous Flashback post, but so be it. 

It is probably no surprise that I could reliably turn to Disney for a song that honors the very heart of motherhood. Well, I sort of turned to Disney. I turned to Hal Willner, an American music producer with several tribute albums and live events listed among his many credits. In 1988, Willner released his fourth tribute album, Stay Awake: Various Interpretations of Music from Vintage Disney Films. Stay Awake featured new recordings of Disney tunes by a whole range of performing artists, from Sun Ra to Michael Stipe, and from Buster Poindexter to Ringo Starr. This is still one of my favorite CDs from the 80s. At the time, I loved it because it made a somewhat adult soundtrack out of songs originally created for kids. Over 30 years later, I still love it for the milestone in my life that it represents. The second track on Stay Awake pairs Bonnie Raitt with Was (Not Was) on "Baby Mine" from the 1941 film Dumbo. And it never fails to make me think of my own mother. 

R.I.P. Mom (August 1946 - October 2017).

"You're so precious to me | Cute as can be | Baby, you're mine." 

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Just one song, but that's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for 10/15/2021

[October at 40] -- 40 years ago this week, on 10/12/1981, U2 released their sophomore album, October. Much of the album's lyrical content is spiritual in nature as three of the four bandmates were in a Christian group, called the "Shalom Fellowship," although the three were not necessarily similar in devotion. In fact, Bono (vocals) and Edge (guitar) were unsure whether rock and roll was at all compatible with a professing Christian lifestyle, and they both exited the band, albeit temporarily. Perhaps their return indicated a cessation of doubt, hence the album's references to exultant rejoicing ... and the Latin liturgical chorus on the lone hit, "Gloria." And while "Gloria" is not the only standout track, the album's lack of cohesion makes it suffer and seem more like a stumble after their much more confident debut, Boy (1980). October received mixed reviews, although Dave McCullough of Sounds gave it high praise, concluding his review with, "This October will last forever." And, perhaps, this album is best appreciated in retrospect, as tiny glimpses of what was yet to come from the Dublin Ireland quartet. Even Bono said during this time, “I don’t really feel U2 has been born yet." They were still learning, and still developing. What a journey it has been. 

Flashback: October (10/12/1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for October 8, 2021

 

[Scoundrel Years] -- 35 years ago this week, Norwegian new wavers A-ha released their sophomore record, Scoundrel Days. This studio album featured the huge hit ... well ... um ... if you were part of the casual US record buying market in 1986, you probably don't recall any hits from this album. Of course, you might not recall any A-ha songs beyond "Take On Me" and "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." from their 1985 debut, Hunting High and Low. And maybe you've heard their 1987 Bond theme, "The Living Daylights." But you probably gave a pass to Scoundrel Days which peaked at a mere #74 on the US Billboard 200 and had one top 50 track in the states. 

Let's back up. You see, after the success of A-ha's debut album, their record company was hungry for a cookie-cutter follow up. But the band was ready to move on, and they basically responded with, "No, we don't want to record another 'Take on Me,' we're doing our own thing" (Rolling Stone, 2010). And that was a good decision. While the US largely ignored Scoundrel Days, it turned out to be an international hit. The record racked up Platinum sales as it hit #2 in the UK and #4 in Belgium, Germany, and New Zealand; it even broke into the top 10 in Austria, the Netherlands, France, Japan, and Switzerland. Three of the singles -- "I’ve Been Losing You," "Cry Wolf," and "Manhattan Skyline" -- were top 40 hits in the UK and many other countries. "Cry Wolf" was the only single released in the US and it performed admirably (if still disappointing for record execs) on several US charts; it peaked at #14 on US Dance Club Songs, #30 on US Dance Singles Sales, #51 on US Cash Box Top 100 Singles, and #50 on the US Billboard Hot 100. 

It's a solid record, and you owe it to your 1980s-loving heart to give it a listen. And, uh, let me know what you think of "We're Looking For The Whales" and "The Weight of the Wind," would ya? You'll find them as tracks #7 and #8 on the CD (or the YouTube playlist), or the second and third tracks on side B of the vinyl or cassette. 

   

Flashback: Scoundrel Days (1986)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80 Flashback for October 1, 2021

 

[Ghost in the Month] -- I'm kicking off October 2021 with an album that was released 40 years ago on Saturday. I'm talking about Ghost in the Machine, the fourth studio album by The Police, which was released on October 2, 1981. After their first three records, The Police were legit stars. And while they had already been rather clever in their lyrics as well as their hooks, Ghost in the Machine found the trio going to another level as both visionary and, if truth be told, pretentious songsmiths. For starters, the album title was based on Arthur Koestler's 1967 philosophical book, The Ghost in the Machine, about the mind-body relationship. Second, bassist/vocalist -- and primary songwriter -- Sting worked many of the book's theories (such as the notion that humans should not be too machine-like) into his latest songs. "Spirits in the Material World," the album opener, is pretty much a three-minute musical summation of Koestler's work (according to Ultimate Classic Rock). Musically, this album found the band making heavy use of keyboards and horns for the first time. Andy Summers (guitarist) is on record as not being a fan of this change in the band's musical direction:

"I have to say I was getting disappointed with the musical direction around the time of 'Ghost In The Machine'. With the horns and synth coming in, the fantastic raw-trio feel - all the really creative and dynamic stuff - was being lost. We were ending up backing a singer doing his pop songs. But there were still great moments when Sting was able to loosen up enough, where we could really go for it in concert." ~Andy Summers: Guitar Player, 1/94 

Still, accusations of pretension and Summers' complaints aside, the shift was successful. Ghost in the Machine peaked at #1 and #2 on the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200 respectively. And all three US singles ("Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic," "Spirits in the Material World," and "Secret Journey") charted on the US Billboard Hot 100. The first UK single, "Invisible Sun," peaked at #2 on that nation's chart. 

Ghost in the Machine is a darker outing for The Police, both in terms of theme and band dynamics, but it's also a masterpiece. And it was possibly a bit ahead of its time. 

Flashback: Ghost in the Machine (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Maleficent - Mistress of Evil

 Dangrdafne review

Beautiful to watch. Absolute full on eye candy for everything. Incredible costuming, amazing scenery and Angelina Jolie was glorious. Simply beautiful. 

That said, I preferred the first movie over this one. The story was just too harsh for me. Perhaps if I saw this before the pandemic I would feel differently but it just didn’t hit me right. Too much carnage when real life has too much right now. 

It was a traditional fairy tale though and I won’t deny them that. Traditional fairy tales are not pretty and this story certainly wasn’t. 

But again I could look at the costuming all day every day. 

2 paws overall 

4 paws for costumes and scenery 

Friday 80s Flashback for September 24, 2021

[Something Kool] -- 40 years ago today, Kool & the Gang released their 13th studio album, Something Special. Although lead singer James “J.T.” Taylor and co-founder Ronald Bell performed the main writing duties on this record, the whole group contributed as composers. That kind of teamwork would continue, particularly as the band took more control of their recordings. But for Something Special and its follow-up, Brazilian jazz-dance producer, and artist in his own right, Eumir Deodato helmed the production duties just as he had for the prior two releases, Ladies Night (1979) and Celebrate! (1980). Kool & the Gang were definitely responsible for carrying disco's torch into the early 1980s! 

Something Kool  became the band's third Platinum album, following in the footsteps of the two prior Deodato-helmed records, and it was their first top ten record in the UK. In the US, the album peaked at #12 on the Billboard Pop Albums chart and #1 on the Billboard Top Soul Albums chart. As far as singles went, "Take My Heart" was a #1 hit on the R&B chart while peaking at #17 on the Pop chart, and the infectious "Get Down On It" reached #4 on the R&B chart and #10 on the Pop chart. "Stepping Out," the first single, reached #12 (R&B) and #89 (Pop). Additionally, "Stand Up and Sing" found its way onto the soundtrack for The Pirate Movie (1982).

I've embedded KoolandthegangShow's video playlist. They compiled the album's original eight tracks plus a bonus track ("Stop!") from the 1998 CD reissue. Enjoy!

Flashback: Something Special (Kool & the Gang, 1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for September 17, 2021

 

[A-B-A-C-A-B] -- Genesis has been in the news lately, primarily because they have a reunion tour in the works. But drummer/frontman Phil Collins' recent comments have also drawn attention: This tour is likely his swan song due to his ongoing health problems. 

So, this might be a good time to revisit a record from when he was in his prime. And, in September 1981, 40 years ago this week, Genesis released their 11th studio album, Abacab. The title track took its name from how an early version of the song was structured (i.e., the order of sections assigned a letter of the alphabet). According to guitarist Mike Ruthorford, however, the final version was more like ACACACUCUBUBUGA than ABACAB (see Genesis In the Studio, YouTube, 2006). 

Abacab marked a shift from Genesis' progressive roots into a more pop-oriented sound, but those roots are still somewhat evident. And it was a big success; it was the band's second #1 album on the UK Albums Chart as well as their first to peak in the top ten of the US Billboard 200. Of the four singles, "Abacab" and "No Reply At All" were the most successful. "Abacab" peaked at #26 while "No Reply At All" peaked at #29 on the Billboard Hot 100. "No Reply At All" also reached the #2 position on the U.S. Top Rock Tracks chart. Back in the day, my favorite track was probably the fourth single, "Man on the Corner," but these days I gravitate more to an unreleased track, "Dodo/Lurker." Though I still have quite a bit of love for "No Reply At All." Feel free to share your favorite Genesis track in the comments!

Flashback: Abacab (September 18, 1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for September 10, 2021

 

[Rage in 40] -- Forty years ago this week -- on Friday, September 11, 1981 -- Ultravox released their fifth studio album, Rage in Eden. It reached #4 on the UK album charts, and #144 in the US, while also peaking within the top 50 albums for a few other European countries and Australia. Rage in Eden produced two hits: "The Thin Wall," which kicked off side B, and "The Voice," the album opener on side A. "The Thin Wall" peaked at #14 in the UK Single Charts, while the much stronger (in my opinion, anyway) "The Voice" peaked at #16. None of the singles charted in the US. But all told, Rage in Eden was a finely crafted piece of New Romantic, synth-driven rock. The lyrics are more introspective, even mysterious, than those on previous releases, but perhaps the band felt they had reached a point where they could stretch a bit and experiment lyrically given that their previous record, Vienna (1980), was such a commercial breakthrough. Also, Midge Ure, who had previously worked with Ultravox keyboardist Billy Currie before joining the band on Vienna, now had over a year of experience with his new bandmates. 

Whatever the case, Ultravox continued to mine the sound of their third and fourth releases while going a bit more surreal with their lyrics. And it works. Even if the record wasn't terribly popular at the time, I say this is a recording that has aged well, perhaps even being a masterpiece of 1980s synth-rock. 

Rage in Eden received a 2008 remaster with 13 extra tracks (live recordings and extended versions).

Flashback: Rage in Eden (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

The Suicide Squad

 Dangrdafne review 

From my photo choice, you can see what or rather who was my favorite part of The Suicide Squad. Followed closely by Ratcatcher 2 and Bloodsport … oh and I can’t forget Rick Flag. 

What an insane and wild ride this movie was. It was ultra violent and gory and while I didn’t watch most of that, it wasn’t actually gratuitous, it is exactly what I would expect from a movie called The Suicide Squad and based on the source material.  

I was not spoiled at all even though it took us quite some time to see this movie. I also didn't watch any trailers or any coverage of the movie before we saw it and I am so grateful. I didn't know what was going to happen or who would die and while I am not happy about only one of the deaths, I am glad I didn't know anything before seeing it for myself. I get why it all happened but it doesn't mean I have to like it (and I don't).

The story was typical for the most part but James Gunn always finds humor to break the tension and to add to the crazy. I loved that I felt like I was watching a comic book and I loved how each song matched the scene it was in and added to the story. I also loved the scene and title breaks, they were very clever and added to the comic book feel.

Margot Robbie as Harley Quinn is just glorious to me and she shined so brightly in this movie. Her story was exactly what was needed for her and I appreciate it. I found myself literally cheering and clapping on my couch for her.

Overall I liked the movie and I would watch it again, mostly for Harley and Sebastian but I still wouldn't be able to stomach all the violence and gore to watch those parts just as I didn't the first time.

3 paws

Friday 80s Flashback for September 3, 2021 (Flashbackiversary!)

[Flashbackiversary!] -- I started posting the Friday 80s Flashback on September 3, 2010. That makes today my 11 year Flashbackiversary! (I missed celebrating the 10-year milestone, but it was 2020, so it's kind of par for the proverbial course). To celebrate, let's turn back the clock -- er, calendar -- 11 years and revisit that very first flashback which appeared on Prophet or Madman (I moved the weekly Flashbacks to Bookended by Cats on 6/24/2016). I'm struck by the sparsity and simplicity of my initial foray into weekly pop-culture ruminations. In fact, that very first flashback has no commentary whatsoever! There isn't even a theme! The weekly theme didn't become part and parcel of the flashback until the fourth entry, on September 24, 2010 (a two-fer: Angry Edition and Uplifting Edition). Sample lyrics first appeared in the November 5, 2010, flashback (Politics Schmolotics). On December 10, 2010, we saw my first attempt at incorporating a header image with the Flashback (Winter Holidays: Week 2). 

For the text and videos shared in my 9/3/2010 Flashback, read and hear more after the break.

Friday 80s Flashback for August 27, 2021

[Sorry Ma!] -- This week, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of The Replacements' beautifully messy 1981 debut, Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash. If you are not familiar with The Replacements, here's the intro for a previous flashback that served as a brief retrospective of their 12+ year career (over on Prophet or Madman): 

The Replacements formed in Minneapolis in the late 70s. According to drummer Chris Mars, the band's name reflected their sense of a secondary status: "Like maybe the main act doesn't show, and instead the crowd has to settle for an earful of us dirtbags" [Azerrad, Michael. Our Band Could Be Your Life. 2001. p. 199]. They were never commercially successful, but they did receive critical accolades and have been cited as a major influence for many bands.

The Replacements (or, simply, The 'Mats to their fans) are probably my favorite of what I call the "sloppy" American rock & roll bands. Their sound was informed by a combination of the arena blues-rock of their collective youth and the post-punk that was in vogue when they took up their own instruments. Now, they never achieved a high level of proficiency as musicians during their time together, but they did evolve from garden variety garage band to a genuinely tight if oft-times shabby outfit. Their songs touched upon the pains of growing up, hating your job, and relationship issues, and they did so in their own loud but tuneful manner. 

And they released their debut 40 years ago this week. With only one track exceeding three minutes, they were able to pack a total of 18 tracks onto this record. The lone single was "I'm In Trouble," released on August 7, 1981. An outtake track, "If Only You Were Lonely," was the B-Side; it was included as one of the 13 bonus tracks on the 2008 reissue. "I Hate Music" is the only song on this record to receive the music video treatment, and then only recently as something of an advert for RHINO's 40th anniversary deluxe edition of Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash. The new video, even as part of an obvious (obnoxious?) cash grab, does nothing to diminish my love for "I Hate Music." My other fave tracks include "Shiftless When Idle," "Shutup," "Something to Dü," "I Bought a Headache," and "Careless." Feel free to mention your faves in the comments ... after you reacquaint yourself with this hardcore classic. This post's embedded YouTube playlist has all the tracks included on the 1981 release. 

Flashback: Sorry Ma, Forgot to Take Out the Trash (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for August 20, 2021

[Pretenders, Too] -- Back around the middle of July, I was looking for records released in the summer of 1981. I thought I had a great one for that week, but just as I was applying the basic details here, I noticed the record had been released in August, not July. So, I put it on the back-burner and waited a month. And now it's finally time to publish this post! 

40 years ago this month, this very week in fact, The Pretenders released their sophomore effort, Pretenders II. Unlike most sophomore records, this album featured only a few previously unreleased tracks. That was due to a lack of new materialTwo of the songs had been released as singles in the UK, and/or placed on a US released EP -- appropriately titled Extended Play (March 1981). Those same songs were the first singles released off Pretenders II: "Message of Love" and "Talk of the Town." Singles from this album also included "I Go to Sleep," a song by Ray Davies of The Kinks (but not recorded by the Kinks). Pretenders II received a lukewarm reaction upon release, as it was not considered as groundbreaking as their 1979 debut, but appreciation for the album has grown over time. Perhaps this weekend is a good time to revisit it and update your own notions. 

UPDATE 8/21/2021: I noticed the previous playlist video was missing two of the tracks from Pretenders II, so I made my own playlist based on available videos. Now you should be able to hear all 12 songs on this album! 

Flashback: Pretenders II (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for August 13, 2021

[On the Level] -- I know today is Friday the 13th. But it's your lucky day because: (1) No stabbing here, and (2) I'm bringing you some tunes from a possibly overlooked gem of the 1980s. 

You probably remember Level 42 from their 1985 hit, "Something About You." And plenty of people probably thought Level 42 was a brand new band when that song hit the airwaves and MTV. However, Level 42 formed in 1979 and they released their eponymous debut album in August 1981 -- 40 years ago this month! While this record enjoyed some success in their native UK, it didn't garner much attention on this side of the Atlantic. Well, their third single, "Starchild," did hit #60 on the Club Play Singles chart, so they had that going for them. My guess is that, for many of you 80sphiles out there, this week's Flashback is a bit of audio-archeology, digging into the jazz-pop-funk roots that would fuel the band's later success in the late 1980s and early 1990s. 

At least, I hope you enjoy this look into Level 42's earlier work.  

Flashback: Level 42 (1981)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!

Friday 80s Flashback for 8/6/2021

[A Precious 40 Years] -- In July of 1981, Pat Benatar released her third studio album, Precious Time. That means we're celebrating that record's 40th anniversary! As I've written before, I love Pat Benatar. In my opinion, she is one of the all-time great rock and roll singers. No one will ever budge my position on that. But this third outing for her didn't get the same love as her prior releases. Sales dipped a bit, though the album was certified Double Platinum in the US. It even peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200, her only record to do so. I don't specifically know why Precious Time underperformed, but 1981 was a pretty crowded field for music. Even so, I think Precious Time's singles are at least as strong as any she's released in her career. I mean, "Fire and Ice" and "Promises in the Dark" are absolute scorchers, and they were both top 40 hits on the US Billboard Hot 100 (and top 20 on the US Mainstream Rock chart). And her cover of the Beatles' "Helter Skelter" probably should have garnered more attention, too. Anyway, Benatar's voice is in fine form and her band, fueled by her husband Neil Giraldo's blistering guitar work, cooks along nicely. If you haven't listened to this album in a while, or ever, this weekend is a great time to give it a spin (or a click).

Flashback: Precious Time – Pat Benatar (1981)

"And so you put up your guard | And you try to be hard | But your heart says try again."

Track list: 

Side one

1. "Promises in the Dark"

2. "Fire and Ice"

3. "Just Like Me" (Paul Revere & the Raiders cover)

4. "Precious Time"

Side two

5. "It's a Tuff Life"

6. "Take It Anyway You Want It"

7. "Evil Genius"

8. "Hard to Believe"

9. "Helter Skelter" (The Beatles cover)

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That's all till next week. 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.

I'll see you in seven!