[Misplaced Invading Immigrant Lizard] -- As I previously mentioned, there are a whole bunch of great, or fondly remembered, albums that came out in June 1985. And, as we are close to closing out the month of June, I've decided to offer a double twofer. Yes, I'm featuring a total of four albums on this Friday, and all of them turned 40 years old this month. Each record in this Flashback represents a different genre, so I might be betraying more of my brain's musical DNA with this post. I love all these records and have owned them in vinyl or CD.
Misplaced Childhood – Marillion, a (neo-)prog band operating out of the UK, released Misplaced Childhood as their third studio album on June 17, 1985. It was also their first concept album, kinda based on the lead singer's own childhood. Misplaced Childhood turned out to be Marillion's most commercially successful album, making the band one of the biggest prog-rock acts of the 1980s. "Kayleigh" was their most successful single, peaking at #2 in the UK and #74 on the US Billboard Hot 100 while also charting around the world. While "Lavender" did not chart in the US, it is the track that I most recall from this record (maybe because it's the one I learned for an audition back in college).
Big Lizard in My Backyard – Here is the punk rock entry for this Flashback. And, in case the title of this album, or the band's name, didn't tip you off, this also qualifies as comedy rock. Big Lizard (June 16, 1985) was the Dead Milkmen's debut album. No singles were released, but some tracks have achieved notoriety, or infamy, in their own way. "Bitchin' Camaro" is in this vein, and it is possibly the band's most well known track due to regular airplay on college radio. The actual song is just under a minute long, but the recording includes a nearly two-minute, rambling intro in which two characters are having a conversation about going to the shore, seeing a cover band, and the one character's new car. Philly's own WXPN was apparently an early champion of the Dead Milkmen, and they frequently played a demo version of "Bitchin' Camero."
Immigrant – In the mid 1980s, Gene Loves Jezebel was a post-punk band by way of the UK's goth scene. Their second studio album, Immigrant, didn't chart. I guess you could say it was sort of a holding pattern between their successful debut album (1983) and the top 40 success they would achieve in 1986. Still, they did have two singles here that performed moderately well: "Shame" reached #14 and "Cow" peaked at #8 on the UK Indies chart. "Worth Waiting For" is a standout track if only for the humorous spoken word break that occurs midway through the track. Also, don't snooze on the closer, "Coal Porter," which has a lovely arrangement and sentimental lyrics.
Invasion of Your Privacy – On June 13, 1985, US metal band Ratt released their sophomore album, Invasion of Your Privacy. It continued the commercial success of their debut and peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200, eventually going double platinum. And it's the 8th best metal album of 1985, according to Ultimate Classic Rock. The two singles – "Lay It Down" and "You're in Love" – charted in the Billboard Hot 100, with the former even squeaking into the top 40. A third single, "What You Give Is What You Get", was released to popular effect in Japan.
That's enough words. Let's get to the music. 🎶
Flashback #1: Misplaced Childhood (June 17, 1985)
Flashback #2: Big Lizard in My Backyard (June 16, 1985)
Flashback #3: Immigrant (June 22, 1985)
Flashback #4: Invasion of Your Privacy (June 13, 1985)
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.
See you in seven!
