Bookended by Cats: two-fer

Showing posts with label two-fer. Show all posts

Friday, October 23, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for October 23, 2026

[Don't Get Me Blah] -- Another two albums offered up this week. Each one turned 40 years old this month, and they were released by music veterans: The Pretenders with Get Close and Iggy Pop with Blah Blah Blah.

Get Close – Released on October 20, 1986, or November 4 in the US, Get Close was The Pretenders' fourth studio album. This record marked a period of transition for the band. The album itself peaked at #6 in the UK and #25 on the US Billboard 200. While not as successful as the band's previous album, 1984's Learning to Crawl, it did boast their highest-charting singles on the Mainstream Rock chart: Both "Don't Get Me Wrong" and "My Baby" were #1 hits there. "Don't Get Me Wrong" was also a top ten hit on the US Billboard Hot 100. Oh, and don't miss "Hymn To Her".

Blah Blah Blah – 40 years ago, Iggy Pop released his seventh solo studio album. AllMusic refers to Blah Blah Blah as "the most calculatedly commercial album of Iggy's career." I think that's a knock on the slick production rather than the songs and performance. But, yeah, this album was Iggy's most commercially successful album, reaching #75 on Billboard's Top 200 Albums chart and reaching Gold status. Iggy also had a successful tour supporting this record. Prior to working on this album, Iggy had been on a four year hiatus from recording and performing. For his new record, he tapped David Bowie as the primary collaborator. "Cry For Love" was the first song I heard from this album, and it remains my favorite. Most people probably know "Real Wild Child"; it was #27 on Billboard's Mainstream Rock chart and a top ten hit in the UK. Maybe the most fun track on here is the title track, "Blah Blah Blah", with lyrics just as applicable now as they were in 1986.

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Get Close (October 20, 1986)

Flashback #2: Blah Blah Blah (October 23, 1986)

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!

Friday, October 16, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for October 16, 2026

[Heavenly Crawl] -- This week, we have two debut albums that were released 40 years ago, both on October 17, 1986. They also kind of represent bookends for the whole 1980s aesthetic: dance-pop on one side and dark drone on the other.

Desert – I don't have much information about the band called I Can Crawl. Their Bandcamp page indicates they were "Formed from school friends circa 1981" in the UK. And they maintain a Facebook presence, notably touting the anniversary re-release of this debut record. But beyond that, there's precious little actual information. The album did not chart, and it had no singles released, at least not as far as I can tell. And that's all a shame, because this is an excellent example of mid-80s post-punk with its shimmering guitars, driving baselines, and a lead singer who is very much in the Peter Murphy school of frontmen. Marvelously mopey. Solidly nocturnal. Check out "And It Rains" and "Instead of Walls".

Better Than Heaven – This was the debut studio album from American singer Stacey Q. It peaked at #59 on the U.S. Billboard 200 and #46 on the U.S. Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. There were three singles from this album, the first of which – "Two of Hearts" – became a top ten single. That tune soared up to #3 on US Billboard Hot 100, #1 on US 12-inch Singles Sales (Billboard), #4 on US Dance/Disco Club Play (Billboard)[32], and #7 on the US Top 100 Singles (Cash Box) charts, to name only a few places where the song did well.

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Desert (October 17, 1986)

Flashback #2: Better Than Heaven (October 17, 1986)

See you in seven!

Friday, October 2, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for October 2, 2026

[The Brotherhood of Tutu's Hotel Muses] -- Well, we raced through September and have entered the first weekend of October 2026. But a bunch of great, or fondly remembered, albums were released in or near the end of September 1986. So, I'm closing out the previous month with a rare double twofer: a total of four albums on this Friday, and all of them turned 40 years old in September.

Sacred Heart Hotel – I have not found a specific release date for this debut album from Dublin-based indie band, The Stars of Heaven. AOTY cites simply September 1986, as do several other sources. Maybe that lack of specificity is related to this album's obscureness. It was one of only two albums released by The Stars of Heaven; they split up in 1990, two years after their sophomore, and last, studio LP. The Stars of Heaven received airplay from John Peel, and Sacred Heart Hotel reached #11 on the UK Indie Chart (but failed to chart in the US). Still, when John Peel is interested in a band, they bear checking out. And listening to this album almost borders on an act of self care. Highlights include "Folksong" and "Talk About It Now".

Throwing Muses – The eponymous debut album from Throwing Muses, released on September 20, 1986, was a powerful collision of punk energy and mercurial mood swings. Critically lauded – well, except for a C rating from The Village Voice – the album had one single, "Soul Soldier", but no real chart activity. Still, it did get traction on college campuses and it launched a relatively successful, or at least productive, career for the band on UK label 4AD. Definitely check out "Hate My Way", the third track on this record.

Tutu – A tribute to Archbishop Desmond Tutu, this was around the 59th or so studio album that the legendary Miles Davis released. It was near the end of his life (he passed in September 1991), but not the end of his career. He still had a few albums left in him. Tutu has been called one of the worst albums by Davis. That might be due to Davis' heavy use of synths, sequencers, and drum machines. And he even played most of the instruments on the album, even the digital ones. Despite early critical reviews, Tutu went on to be considered a pivotal and defining jazz album of the 1980s. Whatever one thinks of the accompaniment, which might sound dated today, these pieces provided space in which Miles Davis could really improvise. Check out "Tomass" and "Backyard Ritual" and make your own decision.

Brotherhood – The fourth studio album from New Order, Brotherhood cemented the band's standing as post-punk and dance floor giants. The songs are a mix of post-punk and electronic styles that received largely positive reviews. The album reached #9 pm the UK Albums, #1 on UK Independent Albums, and #117 on the US Billboard 200 charts. "Bizarre Love Triangle" turned out to be the band's breakout single, even though it didn't crack the top 40 of either the UK Singles Chart or the US Billboard Hot 100; at least, not until after a new mix was released in 1994. "State of the Nation" – a CD only track – was the band's 12th single, and it peaked at #30 on UK Singles Chart, #1 on UK Indie Singles, #4 on US Billboard Hot Dance Club Play, and #18 on US Billboard Hot Dance Singles Sales.

That's enough words. Let's get to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Sacred Heart Hotel (September 1986)

Flashback #2: Throwing Muses (September 20, 1986)

Flashback #3: Tutu (September 29, 1986)

Flashback #4: Brotherhood (September 29, 1986)

See you in seven!

Friday, September 25, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for September 25, 2026

[Friendly Coil] -- I'm ending the fourth week of September 2026 with a pair of albums that were not commercially successful, but are critical and cult darlings.

Filigree & Shadow – This double LP was the second release from the 4AD collective known as This Mortal Coil. They are considered a collective rather than a band because it was a loose grouping of the label's guest musicians and vocalists. Of the 25 tracks on this release, a full 13 are instrumental. And most of the tracks are obscure covers. Supposedly, the four sides are intended to flow together, each side being a whole and complete offering. (Note: If that is true, and I can find no citation for it, listening to either the YouTube playlist or the CD will not create that experience. For the former, advertisements will interrupt the flow; in the latter case, the whole album fits on a single CD so it's all one, sonic entity.) Filigree & Shadow peaked at #2 on the UK Independent Music chart. The album was not released in the US, so stateside fans had to snag import copies. I was fortunate because one of my colleagues in Holmes Hall at PSU did just that. At least, I count myself fortunate, because I'm a fan of experimental dream pop, especially when it's kind of pretentious, or comes across as trying to be.

Here is the LP track listing for sides A, B, C, and D:

A1 Velvet Belly
A2 The Jeweller
A3 Ivy And Neet
A4 Meniscus
A5 Tears
A6 Tarantula
B1 My Father
B2 Come Here My Love
B3 At First, And Then
B4 Strength Of Strings
B5 Morning Glory
C1 Inch-Blue
C2 I Want To Live
C3 Mama K(1)
C4 Filigree & Shadow
C5 Firebrothers
C6 Thaïs(1)
C7 I Must Have Been Blind
C8 A Heart Of Glass
D1 Alone
D2 Mama K(2)
D3 The Horizon Bleeds And Sucks Its Thumb
D4 Drugs
D5 Red Rain
D6 Thaïs(2)

Friends – The debut album from London-based The Bolshoi, Friends hit record shops in late September 1986. This record boasts The Bolshoi's two best-known songs: "Sunday Morning" and "A Way" (alternatively written as "Away" on some releases). That latter song got buried on the UK Singles chart at #100, but it did chart, so that's something. Friends did get a US release, and the band expanded their touring to include the states, but it seems that neither the album nor the singles charted here. It is kind of difficult to nail down the style of The Bolshoi. They are usually categorized as post-punk or gothic rock, and sometimes lumped in generally as new wave. Think ... The Cure, but with a sneer. (I recently read that, if this album came out today, streaming algorithms would basically add it to your queue if you liked The Cure).

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Filigree & Shadow (September 22, 1986)

Flashback #2: Friends (September 22, 1986)

See you in seven!

Friday, July 31, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for July 31, 2026

[Loud Pageant] -- I'm sliding in very close to the wire for the final Flashback of July 2026. But I have two albums that were both released 40 years ago these past two weeks.

Lightning Strikes – Japan's premiere heavy metal band, Loudness, initially released their sixth album only in Japan on March 24, 1986. But just four months later, on July 25, 1986, Lightning Strikes was released to the US market (the earlier release was known as Shadows of War). The sole single from this album was "Let It Go", and as far as I can tell, it did not chart in the states, though the album did peak at #64 on the Billboard 200. I remember "Let It Go", and a few other tracks, from the various metal shows I could pick up on the radio, and from a friend who was a Loudness fanatic. I'm showcasing this album because there's just something about summer that puts me in the mood for 1980s heavy metal. Can any of you out there relate?

Life's Rich Pageant – R.E.M. released their fourth studio album, Life's Rich Pageant, on July 28, 1986. I'm pretty sure I did not know about the album until September of that year, which is basically when I learned about R.E.M. and their first four albums. But other people, many in the record buying public, definitely took notice of this release in late July and early August. It peaked at #21 on the US Billboard 200 and #43 in the UK. It was also R.E.M.'s first gold record in the US. This album had two singles – "Fall on Me" and "Superman" – both of which charted well on the Billboard Hot 100 and the Billboard Mainstream Rock Tracks charts. Several other tracks got radio play and are also quite well known to fans. This album was jangly college rock at its best ... until R.E.M.'s next release.

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Lightning Strikes (July 25, 1986)

Flashback #2: Life's Rich Pageant (July 28, 2026)

See you in seven!

Friday, June 19, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for June 19, 2026

[Queen Jamboree] -- Forty years ago, in June 1986, two bands released new albums into their respective catalogs. Although both are critically lauded, one has become an undisputed classic while the other tends to languish as an under appreciated gem. I'm talking about The Queen Is Dead by The Smiths and Jamboree by Guadalcanal Diary.

The Queen Is Dead – After their sophomore album, Meat Is Murder (1985), The Smiths went into retreat to write songs for their next release. And so, forty years ago this week, The Smiths released their third studio LP, The Queen Is Dead, with songs written mostly by guitarist Johnny Marr and vocalist Morrissey at Marr's home. Morrissey and Marr also co-produced the album under the auspices of Stephen Street's engineering. In a retrospective review, Gavin Edwards wrote, "Whereas previously Morrissey had sourly lectured his listeners that meat was murder, on The Queen Is Dead he made one of the funniest rock albums ever" [Rolling Stone 920, April 17, 2003]. The Queen Is Dead peaked at #2 on the UK Albums Chart, where it spent over five months, and it climbed to #70 on the US Billboard Top Pop Albums chart.

In case you're not sure, this album is the one I referenced as an undisputed classic in the opening paragraph. For more about the album, go track-by-track with the band in NME's 2016 post, "The Full Story Behind The Smith's The Queen Is Dead". Their quips about the singles – "The Boy with the Thorn in His Side", "Bigmouth Strikes Again", and "There Is a Light That Never Goes Out" (all of which were top 40 hits in the UK) – are brief but worth it.

Jamboree – Guadalcanal Diary released their sophomore album, Jamboree, 40 years ago this week. Or, maybe, at some point between May and the end of June. So, it has turned, or will turn, 40 years old as of June 2026. The album debuted to decent reviews, with the Chicago Tribune saying it was "low on flash and affectation" and "a thoughtfully crafted, guitar-based effort" [Wikipedia, Chicago Tribune]. Good reviews, however, did not translate to sales. Neither the album nor its two singles – "Lonely Street" and "Spirit Train / Cattle Prod" – charted.

I'm not sure if Guadalcanal Diary's oft-cited similarity to early R.E.M. hurt them, but they should have had at least as much success as their jangle pop contemporaries, even if just on college radio. And I agree with David Cleary of AllMusic who ended his review of Jamboree by writing, "This is an excellent, if sometimes bewildering album very much worth hearing".

My favorite song is the opening track, "Pray For Rain." Go check it out and I'll bet you'll be lured into the rest of this all but forgotten gem.

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: The Queen is Dead (June 16, 1986)

Flashback #2: Jamboree (June 15, 1986)

See you in seven!

Friday, February 27, 2026

Friday 80s Flashback for February 27, 2026

[Rhythm and New Wave] -- It has been some months since I offered up a two-fer of 80s goodness. So, why not close out the shortest month of the year with a bit of extra music? Forty years ago, the end of this short month was long on new music. Of the two albums I have chosen to highlight, one is an R&B debut and the other features a collection of various new wave artists.

Shirley Murdock! – This exclamatory eponymous album was the studio debut release by American soul singer, Shirley Murdock. She was initially a gospel singer, but then she got the opportunity to record background vocals for Roger Troutman before beginning a solo career in 1985/1986. All told, she has 154 credits spanning 1984 through 2025. Shirley Murdock!, which came out February 24, 1986, was certified gold and it peaked at #44 on the US Billboard 200. It also reached #9 on the US Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. Her debut launched three singles: "Be Free", "As We Lay" and "Go on Without You". "As We Lay" peaked at #23 on the Billboard Hot 100. The other two singles charted on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Vocal-wise, Murdock has a kind of timeless quality. However, I should warn you, or remind you, that R&B was something else in the 1980s, so the instrumentation might not be what you expect when you think of Rhythm and Blues. And that might be a get-up-and-dance good thing. You tell me.

Pretty In Pink (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) – Premiering on February 28, 1986, and earning over six million dollars during its opening weekend, Pretty In Pink was John Hughes' third contribution to the growing canon of "Brat Pack" movies. And, like his previous coming-of-age films, it featured an incredible soundtrack, which also came out on February 28, 1986. The soundtrack album featured four knockout singles: "Shellshock" by New Order, "If You Leave" by Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, "Left of Center" by Suzanne Vega, and "Pretty in Pink" by The Psychedelic Furs. Interestingly, only one of these songs was written specifically for the film, and it was not the title track (though the Furs' song was something of an inspiration for the film). OMD was tapped to write an original song for the film, but their initial offering no longer worked once the plot changed (with Andie ending up with Blane instead of her BFF Duckie). But with adrenalin and inspiration, OMD went into the recording studio and quickly cooked up "If You Leave", an early soundtrack single and a huge hit for the band, hitting #4 on the Billboard Hot 100. There have been multiple releases of the Pretty In Pink soundtrack, but this post uses the original 10-track release from the end of February 1986. That's the soundtrack that reached the top 10 of several charts around the world, including a stint at #5 on the US Billboard 200.

Now, on to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: "Shirley Murdock! – February 24, 1986

Flashback #2: "Pretty In Pink (OST) – February 28, 1986

See you in seven!

Friday, November 21, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for November 21, 2025

[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.

See you in seven!

Friday, October 17, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for October 17, 2025

[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)

See you in seven!

Friday, September 12, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for September 12, 2025

[Flip Your Alibi Knee Deep in Arrest] -- I'm featuring a total of four albums on this second Friday of September, 2025. That's a two-fer of a two-fer, right? Or maybe a double two-fer? Anyway, all four of these albums are from 1985, so they turned 40 years old this year.

Flip Your Wig – On September 1, 1985, Hüsker Dü released their fourth studio album, Flip Your Wig. I did not purchase my vinyl copy of Flip Your Wig until 1986, but I did experience the record's one and only single, "Makes No Sense At All", back in 1985 as my introduction to this band. The B-side for this single was a cover of "Love Is All Around", the theme song to The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Music videos were made for both songs, and I caught the one for "Makes No Sense At All" one late night while watching MTV. I never saw the second video until years later, though I do have a mini-CD of the single and B-side. You can now see the videos for "Makes No Sense At All" / "Love Is All Around" back to back. "Makes No Sense At All" reached #2 on the UK Indie Chart, while the album Flip Your Wig peaked at #1 on the UK Indie Album Chart. This wasn't stellar success, but it showed that higher quality production and an emphasis on more melodic songs could broaden the band's audience for their music. It remains one of my fave records from this year.

Alibi – In the 80s, Vandenberg was a Dutch band striving for international success. Named for founder and guitarist Ad "Adje" van den Berg (a.k.a. Adrian Vandenberg), Vandenberg was active from 1981 to 1987. Depending on the source, this band released their third studio album, Alibi, on September 6, 1985, or before the end of August 1985. So, it is 40 years old by now! Alibi was Vandenberg's final studio album until the band reunited in 2020. And it peaked at #18 ... on the Dutch Albums (Album Top 100) chart. The album's two singles – "Once in a Lifetime" and "How Long" – were both ballads, and they may have done well in the band's home country, but they did not chart here in the states. If I recall correctly, I only have their first three albums because I did much of my habit to search for albums in cut-out bins. Oh, and the title track from this record definitely made an appearance on my old mix tapes.

You're Under Arrest – This Miles Davis album was released sometime between April and early September of 1985, 40 years ago. Now, Miles has an extensive catalog, particularly as a solo or lead artist, so I'm not certain how to number this album among his releases. I've counted at least 50 albums prior to You're Under Arrest, all released between 1951 and 1984. Anyway, this album is a collection of pop covers (including Cyndi Lauper's "Time After Time" and Michael Jackson's "Human Nature"), and original material, with both categories leaning toward the pop end of the jazz spectrum. The covers also include a spirited recording of D-Train's "Something's on Your Mind", and the originals include a John Scofield composition, the title track, "You're Under Arrest" (sandwiched in this July 1985 clip of a Miles Davis Septet performance). Both of those pieces are highlights on this album. So, while this record is not exactly a milestone recording, Miles Davis' playing is still pretty strong.

Knee Deep in the Hoopla – Jefferson Starship had all but crashed and burned in the wake of their 1984 album, Nuclear Furniture. After dealing with a loss of personnel and a lawsuit, singer Grace Slick and manager Bill Thompson took up the new name of Starship. Now a streamlined quintet, the band changed their musical direction and went into the recording studio with Peter Wolf on production duties. On September 12, 1985, they released their debut album, Knee Deep in the Hoopla. Their first single, the inescapable "We Built This City", topped the Billboard Hot 100 as well as charts around the globe. Their second single, the ballad "Sara", was also a huge hit. Knee Deep in the Hoopla peaked at #7 on the Billboard 200, and was an immense commercial success. Some critics lamented the end of the Jefferson Airplane/Starship eras, while others recognized Starship for the pop juggernaut they were, at least through the end of the 1980s.

That's enough words. Let's get to the music. 🎶

Flashback #1: Flip Your Wig (September 1, 1985)

Flashback #2: Alibi (September 6, 1985)

Flashback #3: You're Under Arrest (September, 1985)

Flashback #4: Knee Deep in the Hoopla (September 10, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, July 11, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for July 11, 2025

[Heart Zooming] -- I'm here with another 1980s two-fer for your weekend. With both albums this week, we see artists well into their careers, but making a shift. And both of these albums feature outstanding female vocalists.

Heart – With a self-titled album released in 1985, somewhere between mid-June and July 6, Heart not only revitalized their career with their eighth studio album, but also glammed up their look. They embraced corsets, fluffy shirts, and a few other pirate/glam touches. Just look at their album cover. While I'm not sure who influenced Heart's wardrobe change, I do know they had outside influences for the music. Heart saw the band working with several well-known songwriters such as Jim Vallance, Holly Knight, Mark Mueller, and Bernie Taupin. Heart's first three singles from this album – "What About Love", "Never", and "These Dreams" – were all top 40 hits in the US, and they also charted globally. Also, the music video for "Never" featured the band in their very best pirate glam finery. Heart peaked at the #1 slot on the Billboard 200, and was in the top 100 or better in several other countries. Heart was now a pop band, playing powerful hooks supported by polished songwriting, and the Wilson sisters' wore their tight corsets all the way to the most popular album they ever released.

Who's Zoomin' Who? – On July 9, 1985, Aretha Franklin released, Who's Zoomin' Who?, her 30th studio album. This marked a shift away from the adult contemporary sounds of her prior records and toward 1980s themes such as dance-pop, synths, and the then contemporary R&B styles. She got rave reviews and the lead single, "Freeway of Love", was a commercial success which not only peaked at #1 on Billboard's Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs, but also earned Ms. Franklin a Grammy Award [see notes on TV80s.com]. This album also features "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves", a fantastic collab with Eurythmics. Who's Zoomin' Who? is considered Franklin's comeback album, and it even established her as a music video star. The album peaked at #13 on the US Billboard 200, #3 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums, and #49 on the UK Albums chart, as well as zooming into the top 40 of charts around the world.

What's on your turntable this weekend?

Flashback #1: Heart (July 6, 1985)

Flashback #2: Who's Zoomin' Who? (July 9, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, July 4, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for July 4, 2025

[Damned Progaganda] -- I wasn't certain what to highlight for this fourth of July weekend. Well, not until after the middle of the week and its deflating news. Still, I was able to select two albums that, depending on the source, were both released on July 1, 1985, and are, therefore, 40 years old as of this weekend! We have one artist from the UK, and another from Germany. So, if you were looking for patriotic tunes this week, you'll have to click elsewhere. But, if you want another glimpse into my musical tastes, read on!

Phantasmagoria – 40 years ago this week, depending on the source, The Damned released this album in either June or July of 1985. I'm splitting the difference, and following at least two sites that point to July 1, 1985, as the release date for The Damned's sixth studio album, Phantasmagoria. This was the band's first release without original member Captain Sensible, and it also marked a shift from punk to a more gothic rock sound. Of the three singles, only "Grimly Fiendish" charted, peaking at #21 on the UK charts. And it joins "The Eighth Day" and "There'll Come A Day" as my fave tracks on the album.

A Secret Wish – German synthpop band Propaganda released their debut album, A Secret Wish, on July 1, 1985. Do you remember it? Probably not, as that is the way of some propaganda, heh. Anyway, Trevor Horn, David Sylvian, and other 80s music luminaries were involved in the creation of this record which reached the top 25 of multiple countries' charts. Two of the singles – "Duel" and "The Nine Lives of Dr. Mabuse" (often referenced simply as "Dr. Mabuse") – both peaked within the Top 30 of UK's charts. I'm a little surprised that "Duel" didn't do well on MTV in the US. I mean, that chessboard stage set and other visuals should have launched the video into steady rotation! As far as non-singles, I'm partial to "The Murder of Love".

What are you spinning this weekend?

Flashback #1: Phantasmagoria (July 1, 1985, or so)

Flashback #2: A Secret Wish (July 1, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, June 27, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for June 27, 2025

[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)