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.
[a fine debut] -- Fine Young Cannibals formed in 1984 and released their debut album a year later (forty years ago this week, on December 9, 1985). The main drivers of Fine Young Cannibals were guitarist Dave Cox and bassist David Steele of The English Beat (or just The Beat in the UK). In 1983, the Beat's vocalists, Ranking Roger and Dave Wakelin, broke away from the band to form General Public. But Cox and Steele didn't know about the split until they both received phone calls from their former band's accountant [per AllMusic]. The duo decided to form a new band as well, one that added jazz and soul stylings to The Beat's ska basis. It took Cox and Steele over a year to find their vocalist, Roland Gift.
Now, when most people recall Fine Young Cannibals, they think of either "She Drives Me Crazy" or "Ever Fallen in Love". However, those songs were on the band's 1989 album, The Raw and the Cooked, not their self-titled 1985 debut.
The singles on Fine Young Cannibals were "Johnny Come Home" and "Suspicious Minds", the latter being a cover of the Elvis Presley 1969 hit. "Johnny Come Home" peaked at #8 on the UK Singles chart and #76 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It also charted in several other countries. "Suspicious Minds" also fared well for the band, reaching #8 on UK Singles, #49 on US 12-inch Singles Sales, and #23 on US Dance/Disco Club Play among other charts. The eponymous debut album itself received critical praise and and commercial success; it peaked at #11 in the UK and #49 in the US.
Personally, I could not stand their debut single, "Johnny Come Home", when it first came out. And I continued disliking it for several years after that. And while it's still not a song I seek out, I don't exactly jump to turn it off or skip to the next track in those rare moments I come across it. I do appreciate their cover of "Suspicious Minds," and I love that their largely monochrome music video is something of an homage to Elvis Presley. Other standout tracks for me are "Don't Ask Me To Choose" and "Move to Work."
And without this debut album, we would not have the outstanding pop gems from their later release.
Flashback: Fine Young Cannibals (December 9, 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.
Day 7: Yesterday, on Day 6, the Bifrost opened. This had the effect of transporting me from familiar waters to ... well, read today's prelude:
...The horizon shimmers into a greying dream, and the bright waters haze and blur into shadow and shade. All is lost... and yet the rough wood of the deck beneath your feet still rocks with the motions of the restless sea. What wearied world is this?
I was directed to ROLL FOR THE REALM using the d6 from Day 7 on the calendar. I rolled a 5.
Brand new d6 for Day 7
So, where in the nine worlds did I end up?
The air hangs thick with the scent of decay. A swirling fog, the color of old bone, obscures the horizon, where the sea churns in a violent, chaotic dance. A biting wind howls, carrying with it a silent promise of oblivion. Yet, beneath your feet, the deck is still. No waves disturb these waters. The silence is heavy.
This is Niflheim—Land of Mist and Ice.
What will happen in Niflheim? Tune in tomorrow when I continue to Day 8.
...suddenly, directly in your path, the horizon tears from the top of the sky to the depths of the seas! A bright multihued waterway falls away at an impossible angle. The Bifrost is opened!
I was directed to roll the d20 from today's calendar (Day 6). After submitting my roll, the result was compared to a secret number (between 1 and 20) representing the task's difficulty. Exceeding that secret number indicates successfully navigating the Bifrost.
I rolled a 15.
The "15" I rolled on the new D20 in the calendar's Day 6 slot
When I submitted my result:
SUCCESS! Your ship dips and wheels as the chromatic waves crash over you, sending salted spray over the bow and nearly foundering in the chaos waters. But she shakes loose and emerges from the waves into altogether different waters...
What I find in those waters will have to wait for Day 7.
Day 5: A stranger meets me at the longboat. Whose favor have I drawn, and what gift have they offered? I open Day 5 on the calendar...
Frigga, the All-Mother herself, stands before you in all her glory! In her hands she holds the Spindle and Distaff, and at her neck are the keys of wood and metal that are her symbol... she places around your neck the runic keys she wore at her neck.
The favor of Frigga is with me. I write her name on my journal sheet. Will her favor be the "key" to my success in this quest?
There is no preview for Day 6 on the journal sheet. I wonder what awaits!
[Do We Still Care?] -- I know we are ending the first week of December 2025, but I want to pull one more album from November 1985. And this one was released on November 30, 1985, the very end of the month. Forty years ago, that date was on a Saturday. This year, November 30 fell on a Sunday, so it kicked of this week. Therefore, I feel it's a legitimate option as the first flashback of the last month of this year.
And what is that album? We Care A Lot, the debut from California-based Faith No More (or "Faith. No More." as they are credited on the original vinyl). The title track is the best known song from this album, but the one you remember is probably the re-recorded version from the band's 1987 album, Introduce Yourself. But We Care A Lot was the indie release that did not chart and did not have any singles. Still, it's evident that all the pieces for the band you know, the one that later exploded on MTV and some charts, are here: Heavy metal guitar, swirling keyboards, funky bass riffs, and the occasional oddity (such as the short and acoustic "Jim"). It's just not as polished. And maybe that makes it more of a gem.
Notable tracks: "We Care A Lot", "Why Do You Bother", "Pills for Breakfast", and "Arabian Disco".
Flashback: We Care A Lot (November 30, 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.
Day 4: What will be the token of your beloved that you will carry on this journey? Roll the D4 that was today's gift. I rolled a 4 and...
You pick up the small flower you plucked and dried when first you fell in love. Its beauty, preserved from the moment of your union's beginning, reminds you of the lengths you would go to for the preservation of the beauty your union has brought. You place this memento into your tunic near your heart…
I wrote "Dried Flower" on my journal sheet and added the D4 to my Inspiration Pool as instructed.
Day 3: Now that I have my weapon, I must choose from "the wall of armaments, arrayed in orderly rows... There isn’t time to don all - One piece must suffice."
... by rolling the D8 that was today's gift. I rolled a 6 and...
You pull your heavy grey cloak from the wall and fasten it around your shoulders. Your way may be long, and stealth and warmth never go amiss…
I wrote "Heavy Grey Cloak" on my journal sheet and added the D8 to my Inspiration Pool as instructed.
Day 2: I chose to heed the call presented on Day 1. So, I was invited to choose a weapon ... by rolling the D6 that was today's gift. I rolled a 4 and...
You pick up your Atgeir from the corner where it leans. Its sharp hungry blade stands above your head, flickering in the torchlight. Its weight feels familiar in your hand. This will serve you well.
You pick up your shield and turn to the wall of armor...
Per the instructions, I wrote down my weapon on the journal sheet. I also added the D6 to my inspiration pool. (Note: I downloaded and printed a spare sheet from the website so I can leave the included postcard-sized original unscathed).
[An Ideal Spleen] -- Dead Can Dance was an eclectic musical outfit that originated in Australia. The lineup varied over the years, but the duo of Brendan Perry and Lisa Gerrard always remained the core of the band. Their band combined multiple musical elements – European folk music (Middle Ages and Renaissance), ambient pop, world music, Gregorian chant, etc. – and wrapped it all with a darkwave flourish.
Forty years ago this week, Dead Can Dance released the album that would cement their cult following, particularly in Europe: Spleen and Ideal.
Spleen and Ideal was Dead Can Dance's sophomore release. It peaked at #2 on the UK indie charts, but it took nine years before the album received a release in the US, where it failed to chart. I did get to hear Spleen and Ideal in the mid-1980s because I knew someone with an imported copy. Now, there were no singles released from this album. But that is just as well; the best way to experience a full length album from Dead Can Dance is to listen to it from start to finish. Listening to Spleen and Ideal in its entirety calls to mind what it must be to hear a soul's transmission from the physical plane to more ethereal realms. Gerrard sounding very much like the aforementioned soul in transition while Perry's vocals come across as intonations from holy writ.
According to AllMusic critic Ned Raggett, "Calling [Spleen and Ideal] 'haunting' and 'atmospheric' barely scratches even the initial surface of the album's power." do yourself a favor and sit with this album. Those 40 minutes will refresh you during the bombast of this weekend.
Flashback: Spleen and Ideal (November 25, 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.
[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.
[40 Years Deep] -- Forty years ago this week, The Outfield released their hugely successful debut album, Play Deep. The debut single, "Say It Isn't So," reached #18 on the Mainstream Rock chart. The second single, "Your Love," was a huge hit for them, peaking at #6 on both the Billboard Hot 100 and the Mainstream Rock charts. Single number three, "All the Love," peaked at #19 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and #14 on US Mainstream Rock charts. That's two of three singles peaking in Billboard's Top 20 list. And all three songs also charted in the UK and several other countries.
Buoyed by these hits, Play Deep went double platinum. And because this album was so well crafted in terms of songwriting and recording, I think these songs have hardly aged. In particular, "Your Love" is a perfect tune for blaring on the stereo while driving down the road. It's even better if the weather is warm enough that you can roll down the windows and have your left hand on the car door tapping along.
The Outfield was active as a band from 1984 through 2014. They officially disbanded in 2014 after the death of John Spinks, the band's songwriter, lead guitarist, and backing vocalist. Six years later, Tony Lewis passed; he had been The Outfield's lead singer and bassist.
But their music lives on.
Flashback #1: "Play Deep (November 12, 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.
[40 Year Addiction] -- Forty years ago this week, Robert Palmer (1949 – 2003) released his eighth solo studio album, Riptide. While not exactly critically acclaimed back in the day, Riptide is now considered a perfect packaging of 80s commercial sensibilities with Palmer's persuasive R&B stylings. And that's not to say it wasn't a successful release. The album peaked at #5 in the UK and at #8 on the US Billboard 200. It also achieved double Platinum sales in the US.
This album launched five singles. Of those five, "Addicted to Love" and "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" were quite successful. "Addicted to Love" reached the #1 position on the US Billboard Hot 100, the US Billboard Top Rock Tracks, and the US Cash Box charts while also climbing charts globally. The song's distinctive music video was part of the driving force behind that chart success. That music video's style also pretty much became his trademark. "I Didn't Mean to Turn You On" reached merely #79 on the Billboard Hot 100, but it did climb much higher on some other charts and was in steady rotation on the radio and MTV (remember those music outlets, folks?).
All told, Riptide mainly hews to the terrain traveled by The Power Station, the supergroup with whom Palmer released an album earlier in 1985, but there are worse roads to follow.
Flashback: Riptide (November 4, 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.
[Halloween!] -- Though not as rare as a full moon on Halloween, this year the spooky holiday falls on a 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 and goblins and whatever. 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. All embedded videos and text links have been thoroughly checked, and updated if necessary. And, just like in 2011 (and a few other years), 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 previous standard of three 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!
Flashback #1: "I don't want to live my life again."
In 1989, we were presented with yet another film adaptation of a Stephen King novel. This time around, it was the bestselling Pet Semetary (Side note #1: it is redundant to include "bestselling" when introducing a Stephen King novel? I mean, aren't they all bestsellers? I'll Google that later). (Side note #2: Pet Semetary received another film adaptation in 2019). Pet Semetary won the 1984 World Fantasy Award for Best Novel. The movie adaptation, however, fared less well as it has about a 50% rating on Rotten Tomatoes (and the reboot's rating currently hovers around 58%). Dale Midkiff, who plays the head of the tragic Creed family in the film, later went on to do many forgettable TV movies. But I'll always remember him for Elvis and Me (1988) and Time Trax (1993-1994). Anyway, back to Pet Semetary, there were two truly great treasures to come out of that movie. (1) Herman Munster -- er, Fred Gwynne -- as the homespun neighbor who knows way too much about the local burial grounds, and (2) The Ramones performing the movie's theme song.
Flashback #2: "Freaks come in all shapes, sizes and colors."
I never heard of our second flashback artist until my college roommate played their 1984 album, Escape, in our dorm room. I guess he was familiar with hip-hop and rap because he grew up outside of Philadelphia, whereas I grew up ... well, I grew up in the middle of nowhere. Pittsburgh was the closest city to my hometown, and it was still several hours away. And it was not exactly a hot bed for hip hop (as far as I can recall). Anyway, our second flashback isn't technically a Halloween song, but with its chorus of "The freaks come out at night," it certainly fits with the general theme. And 30+ years ago, Whodini's Escape was considered a groundbreaking hip-hop album, with each song telling a specific story from a decidedly urban perspective. It was certified platinum, and it sold over one million copies on its release. So, get dressed up in your best leather jacket, chains and spikes, and get ready to party after midnight with Whodini and "The Freaks Come Out at Night."
Flashback #3: "I'm your DJ now, Princey!"
In 1996, Kevin Williamson turned the horror genre on its ear with the slasher film, Scream. About eight years before that, DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince turned their rap skills on the Nightmare on Elm Street franchise, delighting the ears and funny bones of the music-buying public. Showcasing the charm and savvy that would later serve him well on his own TV series, the Fresh Prince (whom we now all know as mega-movie star Will Smith) tells the story of "A Nightmare on My Street" in which he has a terrifying encounter with Fred. Fred is obviously Freddy Kruger from the Nightmare films, but the song is not an official part of the series' soundtracks. It was considered for inclusion in A Nightmare on Elm Street 4: The Dream Master, but was (ahem) slashed from the playlist. Subsequently, some original pressings of of He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper (1988) included a disclaimer sticker stating that the song had zero affiliation with the films. But, even without the licensing or approval of Freddy and the gang, "A Nightmare on My Street" reached #15 on Billboard Charts and He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper was eventually certified triple platinum.
Flashback #4: "I'm gonna get you, get you after midnight."
The 80s are riddled with horror films with brilliant soundtracks. But not all of them can be considered rock horror films. Trick or Treat (1986) is a classic example of a rock horror movie ... at least a hard rock/heavy metal horror movie. With a dead rock star as the villain, cameos by Gene Simmons (as local radio DJ "Nuke") and Ozzy Osbourne (as a televangelist!), and Skippy from Family Ties as the main protagonist, Trick or Treat had all the ingredients ... for cult movie fandom! That's a shame, really, but if you look back on it as a product of the times, you can appreciate its stand against the assertion that rock music had backwards Satanic messages hidden in them. But this flashback is about music, and the Trick or Treat soundtrack, completely written and performed by glam metal band Fastway, was probably more successful than the movie. And if you're a fan of 80s metal, the soundtrack has aged much better than the movie, too. Check out "After Midnight" from the soundtrack. And remember, 80s rocker is always an acceptable Halloween costume.
Flashback #5: "Lock your doors and windows tight | Soon you'll all believe I'm right."
One of my favorite horror flicks from the 80s was Fright Night (1985). You might recognize the name because it recently got the full remake treatment (Colin Farrell! Toni Collette! David Tennant! Vampires in 3D!). While we have yet to see if the remake will reach the same merchandising heights as the original (comics, video games, etc.), but it did receive three stars from Roger Ebert. Still, at the time the 2011 reboot was coming out, we already know its soundtrack suffered from a severe lack of of 80s panache. For example, the title track for the original film is performed by Rock and Roll Hall of Fame nominees, the J. Geils Band. Now, you might not recognize them from this song because it was recorded after long time lead vocalist Peter Wolf left the band. But it is a solid tune and its lyrics actually provide a synopsis of the movie's plot from the protagonist's point of view! It was also the band's swan song as they broke up shortly after contributing to the Fright Night soundtrack. The music video combines movie scenes and band performances in that montage format that was popular in that decade. (Our more sensitive 80s-philes might have a difficult time watching this music video).
Flashback #6: "It's close to midnight and something's evil lurking in the dark."
In 2010, I thought this song was too obvious a choice for the Halloween flashback. Plus, it was only a year after King Michael's death. And after another year passed, the Jackson estate was embroiled in a trial over the cause of his death. So, in 2011 and now, I think Halloween is indeed time to break out "Michael Jackson's Thriller." This 14-minute music video for "Thriller," the title track of Michael Jackson's masterpiece 1982 album, has won a host of awards and it was the first music video to be selected for the National Film Registry. It is considered a watershed moment for the music industry due to its groundbreaking use of filmmaking techniques and music. It continues to be highly influential (just do a search on "Michael Jackson Thriller Flashmob" to see what I mean). But the true secret to the enduring legacy of "Thriller" has nothing to do with MJ or the video: I'm convinced all the success is due to Vincent Price reciting the closing lyrics, punctuating the song with his trademark laugh.
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.
[Simple Time] -- Forty years ago this week, Simple Minds released their seventh studio album, Once Upon a Time. The band was riding a high due to the huge success of "Don't You (Forget about Me)", featured in the closing credits of The Breakfast Club (February 1985). That song does not appear on Once Upon a Time, but its impact on the band's popularity cannot be ignored, and later rereleases do include it.
"Alive and Kicking" was the first single off this album, and it was another monster success for the band. It peaked at #3 and #2 in the US, on the US Billboard Hot 100 and US Mainstream Rock charts respectively; it also peaked at #7 in the UK and was a top 40 hit in multiple other countries. The next two singles – "Sanctify Yourself" and "All the Things She Said" – charted well in both the US and around the globe.
Ultimately, Once Upon a Time landed at #1 on the UK Albums Chart and #10 on the US Billboard 200. In addition to chart success, the album was also reviewed favorably. In Spin magazine, Armond White wrote: "Every cut is neat and punchy pomp... The album sucks up love, politics, and religion into a swirling vacuum of show-off musicianship" [Spin. No. 9. p. 28.]. Well said. Songwriting, musicianship, and production all combined to make for a solid 1980s album.
Flashback: Once Upon a Time (October 21, 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.
[Jetting Like Thieves in Love with Falco] -- I'm doing something I haven't done since the middle of last month: Four albums in one Flashback. I'm still keeping with this year's overall theme, so all of them are, of course, from 1985, and they are all 40 years old by now. So, sit back, check that your volume it set to an appropriate level, and enjoy this double two-fer.
Listen Like Thieves – On October 14, 1985, INXS released their fifth studio album, Listen Like Thieves. This one was the band's international breakthrough. Driven by singles like "What You Need", "This Time", and the title track, Listen Like Thieves peaked at #11 on the US Billboard 200, #48 in the UK, and #24 on the Canadian Albums chart. In addition to being commercially successful, the album was largely a hit with critics as well, both in 1985 and retroactively. AllMusic, for example, stated that this album helped INXS complete "its transition into an excellent rock & roll singles band."
The Jets – The Jets released their self-titled debut on October 14, 1985. This Tongan-American family band of eight siblings from Minnesota started performing together in 1977, and they have performed together as recently as 2015. Thanks to MTV playing their videos in 1985 and 1986, "Curiosity" reached #8 on the Billboard R&B singles chart while "Crush on You" peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Falco 3 – The Austrian singer and rapper, Falco, had his biggest hit record in the United States with the release of his third album. Falco 3 hit stores worldwide on October 15, 1985. It peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and at #18 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. The album's success was largely propelled by the singles "Rock Me Amadeus" (with the music video channeling looks from the 1984 movie) and "Vienna Calling". The former was a top ten hit globally, including a stint at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 and in the UK. The latter was also successful, reaching the top 20 in many countries including peaking at #18 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also covered Bob Dylan by recording the 1965 song, "It's All Over Now, Baby Blue", and he used the Cars's "Looking For Love" as the basis for "Munich Girls".
Love – The Cult released their second album, Love, on October 18, 1985. No sophomore slump here. This record was the band's breakthrough, fusing psychedelic rock and new wave goth with a shimmer of hard rock guitar. One would be forgiven for regarding two of the singles – "She Sells Sanctuary" and "Rain" – as the best tracks. And few songs have as great an opening as "She Sells Sanctuary." But I truly fell that "Brother Wolf, Sister Moon" and "Hollow Man" deserve some of your love, too. Love came in at #87 on the Billboard 200, and the singles did so-so in the US. But college radio really embraced The Cult with this release ... and their next two.
That's enough words. Let's get to the music. 🎶
Flashback #1: Listen Like Thieves (October 14, 1985)
Flashback #2: The Jets (October 14, 1985)
Flashback #3: Falco 3 (October 15, 1985)
Flashback #4: Love (October 18, 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.
[7th Dream, 40 Years] -- Forty years ago this week – on October 11, 1985 – the trio called Love And Rockets burst onto the scene with their debut album, Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven. This trio took their name from a popular comic series, and while they were a new entity debuting in 1985, they did have previous experience performing and even recording together. You see, these three musicians had been the guitarist (Daniel Ash), drummer (Kevin Haskins), and bassist (David J) for gloomy gothic rockers, Bauhaus (1978-1983). For simplicity's sake, I'm overlooking both Ash's and Haskins' pre-Love And Rockets involvement in another Bauhaus side project, Tones On Tail. Anyway, as the new trio gelled, Ash took on lead vocals with support from David J. And, while this new band carried on some of the darkness of their former outfit, they did so with more of a pop sensibility.
Now, if you remember Love And Rockets, but not their debut, you are forgiven. Neither this album nor its lone single, "If There's a Heaven Above", charted in any appreciable manner, though college radio did its level best to help. Still, along with a cover of "Ball of Confusion", released earlier in 1985 as a non-album single, the band could boast a pair of singles that served as their strong introduction to the record-buying public. At the very least, Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven piqued interest among the nascent 80s-psychedelic fans. And even without a long resume of hit singles, this record is far from filler. In particular, "The Dog-End of a Day Gone By", "Haunted When the Minutes Drag", and the title track all shine.
Was this record your first experience of Love And Rockets?
Flashback: Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (October 11, 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.
[Basically Chameleons] -- 40 years ago this week, English post-punk rockers The Chameleons released their sophomore studio album, What Does Anything mean? Basically. With only one single, "Singing Rule Britannia (While the Walls Close In)," this album was well liked by many critics. However, its wall of sound – featuring digital delays, pedals, and other studio wizardry – was a bit too much production for some fans and critics. One such critic, Chris Jenkins, called this album "as half-baked as its title" in the 2003 book, The Rough Guide to Rock (page 182). I find What Does Anything mean? Basically to be a great record. It's perfect to have spinning in the background, but it also reveals additional layers (particularly of existentialism and introspection) upon a close track-by-track listen. Definitely a gem.
Neither the album nor its lone single charted, at least not as far as I can tell. The Chameleons didn't release a music video either. So, even with some positive reviews, What Does Anything mean? Basically never gained much traction with the larger record buying public. And I think that's a shame because there's plenty of "Looking Inwardly" that would have lyrically resonated with music fans in the mid-1980s, particularly those of us who were in college at the time. Other excellent tracks on this album include "Intrigue In Tangiers," "Return Of The Roughnecks" (I love the slight guitar growl of the intro, just before the bass and drums kick in), and "Home Is Where The Heart Is."
I don't know the precise date I found my copy of this record, but I do know it was a few years after the actual release. And while the "when" is hazy, the "where" is more solid: I'm pretty sure I found the record in the discount bin at a record shop that used to be on College Avenue in downtown State College, PA (National Record Mart? Maybe). Yes, I bought it on vinyl! And, yes, I still have the LP record (and it's not scratched).
So, to celebrate this album's 40th anniversary, let's spin the whole thing! Use the embedded video below, or click a track's start time to access it directly on YouTube.
Flashback: What Does Anything mean? Basically (October 2, 1985)
01. 00:00 Silence, Sea and Sky
02. 02:01 Perfume Garden
03. 06:41 Intrigue in Tangiers
04. 11:59 Return of the Roughnecks
05. 15:27 Singing Rule Britannia
06. 19:47 On the Beach
07. 24:01 Looking Inwardly
08. 28:35 One Flesh
09. 33:02 Home Is Where the Heart Is
10. 38:57 P.S. Goodbye
Bonus Track
11. 42:02 In Shreds
12. 46:14 Nostalgia
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.
