[Pleasure Felt] -- I know we have just entered November, but I want to highlight two more releases from October 1984. One is for all of you who need something a bit gentle today, and the other is for everyone else who wants to be a bit raucous.
The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short Stories – Released on October 26, 1984, this was the third album from the UK based band, Felt. It is a wonderful example of jangle pop, and I wish the lone single, "Sunlight Bathed the Golden Glow," got more attention. It kind of fell into a void when released in the summer of 1984, and didn't chart at all. This album also has three short, but in my opinion lovely, instrumentals: "Sempiternal Darkness," "Imprint," and "Crucifix Heaven." If you need a gentle and sort of uplifting listen this weekend, give The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short Stories a spin.
Welcome to the Pleasuredome – Released on October 29, 1984, Pleasuredome was Frankie Goes to Hollywood's debut album. The English synth-poppers originally issued Pleasuredome as a vinyl double album with some ... controversial ... sleeve art, which you can peruse over here. The record was commercially, but not always critically, successful. The band hit big with two singles – "Relax" and "Two Tribes" – but reviews were mixed at best. Still, it's one of the more fun releases from the 1980s, and "Two Tribes" has, perhaps, even more relevance today.
YouTube playlists for both albums are embedded below. Let us know your fave tracks!
Flashback #1: The Strange Idols Pattern and Other Short Stories (October 26, 1984)
Flashback #2: Welcome to the Pleasuredome (October 29, 1984)
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!
