[Psycho Radio Astra Prevention] -- Forty years ago, the week of November 18-22 was packed with good music releases. I could have chosen one for each day of the week. Instead, I limited myself to just four albums, each from a different genre. We have post-punk, hip-hop, prog, and experimental in this week's double two-fer of 80s music selections for your enjoyment.
Psychocandy – The Scottish rock band the Jesus and Mary Chain released their debut album, Psychocandy, on November 18, 1985. This gem of post-punk and shoegaze proved fairly popular in the UK. It peaked at #31 on the UK Albums Chart and all three of its singles –"Never Understand", "You Trip Me Up", and "Just Like Honey" – charted. AllMusic called the album "Beach Boys melodies meet Velvet Underground feedback and beats." In other words, it pummels you, but in a reassuring way, especially "Just Like Honey", at least in my estimation. The album received favorable reviews and sold well, earning Gold certification in the UK. Regarding the album's legacy, Q Magazine, Pitchfork, Rolling Stone, Paste and others have all listed Psychocandy, on various best-of lists (best debut, best of the 80s, greatest British albums, etc.). So, it's not just me telling you this is a must-listen from the 1980s.
Radio – Another debut album released on November 18, 1985, was Radio by LL Cool J. This hip-hop classic was a critical and commercial success, reaching Gold status within its first five months on its way to reaching Platinum status in 1989. It peaked at #71 on the UK Albums Chart, #46 on the US Billboard 200, and #6 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. The first single, "I Can't Live Without My Radio", a love song to the boombox, was a top ten hit on the Billboard R&B singles chart. The last of four singles, "Rock the Bells", peaked at #17 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. Check either of those singles to hear why LL was praised for his lyrics and rhymes back in the day.
Astra – British supergroup Asia released their third studio album, Astra, on November 20, 1985. This was the band's first album without original guitarist Steve Howe; he was replaced by Mandy Meyer, formerly of Krokus. Meanwhile, founding member John Wetton was back on bass and lead vocals. The first single, "Go", peaked at #46 and #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Mainstream Rock charts respectively. "Wishing", an Asia ballad that I love unironically, was the second single and it didn't chart at all. "Too Late" was a promo only release, but it managed to reach #30 on the Mainstream Rock chart. While the singles had fair success, Astra performed poorly, especially in comparison with their self-titled debut of 1982. It peaked at #67 on the Billboard 200 and #68 in their native UK. The band blamed their record label's lack of support for this drop in success, and their canceled tour, though it's not impossible that the updated lineup pushed the band into a musical direction their fans were not ready to embrace. In retrospect, it's a solid prog-rock album with great production and some killer guitar licks. Check out "Hard On Me" and "Countdown to Zero" to hear what this lineup can do. Definitely under-appreciated in its time.
Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention – Released on November 21, 1985, this album's title was a nod to the PMRC (Parents Music Resource Center), a lobby group that campaigned on forcing record companies to put warning labels on "offensive" albums. The title was also a nod to Zappa's former band, the Mothers of Invention. Frank Zappa Meets Mothers of Prevention was interesting in two regards. First, it was largely composed on, though not necessarily recorded with, Synclavier. Second, there are only two songs directly dealing with the so-called Mothers of Prevention, and each one appears on a different release. The US album had "Porn Wars", a collage of instrumental music mixed with soundbites from the PMRC Congressional hearings. The UK release had "H.R. 2911", a watered down version of "Porn Wars" with all soundbites and dialog cut. Oh, and this latter tune was named after a copyright bill that was passed in 1985. The best cut on the US release might have been "We're Turning Again", a weird jazz composition featuring synthesizers and xylophone. The UK release's best track, in my opinion, was "I Don't Even Care", a groovy little rocker featuring Johnny "Guitar" Watson. But don't sleep on "What's New In Baltimore?" or "One Man, One Vote". Frank Zappa Meets Mothers of Prevention barely charted on the Billboard 200, peaking at #153. But Zappa was never concerned with such trifling matters as popularity. So, considering the album's merits as a mix of (computer) instrumental and classical Zappa ethos, I feel he succeeded in what he wanted to accomplish: Compose boldly, and call out the powers that be while doing so.
You've read my words. Now listen to the music. 🎶
Flashback #1: Psychocandy (November 18, 1985)
Flashback #2: Radio (November 18, 1985)
Flashback #3: Astra (November 20, 1985)
Flashback #4: Frank Zappa Meets the Mothers of Prevention (November 21, 1985) -- As mentioned above, the US and UK releases differed. This playlist includes all 10 potential tracks, making it a trans-Atlantic endeavor similar to the 1995 CD re-release. But this track numbering follows the original US release and then slaps the extra UK songs at the end.
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!
