Bookended by Cats: twofer

Showing posts with label twofer. Show all posts

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

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, 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)

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)

See you in seven!

Friday, June 13, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for June 13, 2025

[Fabled Underground] -- There are a whole bunch of great albums that came out in June 1985. Well, maybe some of them are not so much great as fondly remembered, at least by me. So, as you might expect, I'm pulling another twofer this week, and the next few weeks will likely feature multiple releases as well. And while I did find a record that was released on June 13, 1985, I decided to focus on two releases from earlier in the week. One jazz and the other college rock. And what stellar records they are!

Black Codes – 40 years ago this week (June 9, 1985), Wynton Marsalis released Black Codes (From the Underground). This was Marsalis' fourth studio album as a band leader, and it might be his best recording from this period of his catalog. Black Codes won two Grammy Awards: Best Instrumental Jazz Performance and Individual or Group and Best Jazz Instrumental Performance, Soloist. Wynton Marsalis wrote all but one of the tracks, with many of them influenced by his engagement in injustice and American race relations. And the record is something of a family affair with Wynton's brother, Branford, pulling double duty by contributing both tenor and soprano saxophone. Whatever verb you like to use for classic jazz applies to Wynton's band on this outing: they cook, they swing, and they grab you by your lapels and shake you thoroughly before letting you down somewhat gently. "Black Codes marks the time in young Wynton’s career when he moved from being a Blakey/Hancock prodigy and started to stake out his own ground" (Jazzwise, 100 Albums That Shook the World).

Fables of the Reconstruction – Also 40 years ago this week (June 10, 1985), Athens, GA, darlings R.E.M. dropped their third studio album, Fables of the Reconstruction. Packaging, particularly as far as the LP is concerned, is unclear as to whether the album is actually titled Fables of the Reconstruction or Reconstruction of the Fables. Perhaps, side A is Fables of the Reconstruction and side two, which is labeled "another side," is Reconstruction of the Fables (per the display on each side). Anyway, both contemporary and retrospective reviews of Fables are largely favorable. And while there is an impression that the band members dislike the record, that does not necessarily appear to be the case. There were three singles – "Can't Get There from Here", "Driver 8", and "Wendell Gee" – to varying, but not stunning, chart success. Fables peaked at #28 on the Billboard 200, and #35 on the UK Albums Chart, the band's first time breaking the top 40 in the UK.

Which album will you be spinning on this NO KINGS weekend?

Flashback #1: Black Codes (From the Underground) (June 9, 1985)

Flashback #2: Fables of the Reconstruction (June 10, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, May 30, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for May 30, 2025

[Nervous Brothers] -- I'm ending the last week of May with another two-fer flashback. Both of these albums were released, as best I can tell, earlier in the month.

Nervous Night – Released on May 6, 1985, this was the sophomore record by Philadelphia's own 80s rock band, The Hooters. It was a highly successful album featuring three hit singles: "And We Danced", "Day by Day", and "All You Zombies". Those three tracks are among The Hooters' biggest and best-known hits, with "And We Danced" nearly cracking the top 20 of the US Billboard Hot 100. "Hanging on a Heartbeat" (a non single and one of my favorites on this record) and "Where Do The Children Go" also got significant airplay, especially on college radio; at least that was my experience while attending Penn State.

Brothers in Arms – On May 16, 1985, Dire Straits released their fifth studio LP, Brothers in Arms. It was the first CD album to break one million sales, and audiophiles still use its tracks for testing speakers and other hi-fi equipment [Source: whathifi.com]. I would, of course, be remiss if I did not mention "Money For Nothing," a #1 hit in the US, as well as top 40 around the world, plus a bonafide music video sensation. You're probably hearing Sting's cameo performance of "I want my, I want my, I want my MTV" in your head right now, aren't you? Oh, and two other singles – "So Far Away" and "Walk of Life" – also performed well on the charts. Brothers in Arms peaked at #1 on the US Billboard 200, and it topped the charts in a few other countries, too. While the album initially received not-so-favorable reviews, it went on to be one of Dire Straits' most successful records, and it has even appeared on several best albums lists, including Rolling Stones' 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

What are your favorite tracks from either of these records?

Flashback #1: Nervous Night (May 6, 1985)

Flashback #2: Brothers in Arms (May 16, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, May 23, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for May 23, 2025

[Low Wishes] -- I apologize for not posting a flashback last week. To make up for that omission, I'm sharing a two-fer flashback this week. In both cases, the album was the third studio release from its respective band. And, aside from the month/year combo, that's the end of any similarities between the two.

Low-Life – Released 40 years ago last week week (May 13, 1985), this record was the third studio album from New Order. Bernard Sumner (vocals and guitar), Peter Hook (bass), and Stephen Morris (drums) had formed New Order in the ashes of Joy Division. And Low-Life marked probably the highpoint of the band's blending of post-punk, synth, and dance pop. While the album peaked at only #94 on the Billboard 200, it was top 40 or better in several other countries, including hitting #7 on the UK Albums and #1 on the UK Independent Albums charts respectively. There were only two official singles from this album – "The Perfect Kiss" (the single was over 10min long while an edited version appears on the album) and "Sub-culture" – both of which charted well here in the US and across the pond. Low-Life received positive reviews in 1985, and it continues to receive critical praise, which you can read here.

7 Wishes – Dropping just before the summer of 1985 – 40 years ago this week on May 20, 1985 – 7 Wishes continued Night Ranger's hard-rocking path in the vein of 1982's Dawn Patrol and 1983's Midnight Madness. 7 Wishes peaked at #10 on the Billboard 200, and it went platinum. In addition to the three hit singles, this album included "Interstate Love Affair," a tune that appeared on the soundtrack for the 1984 film, Teachers. Speaking of Billboard Hot 100 hits, 7 Wishes included: "Sentimental Street" (#8), "Four in the Morning" (#19), and "Goodbye" (#17). Of course, with the latest Flashback date occurring one day after my late father's birthday, I had to find a way to include "Goodbye," the song that concluded my Flashback post for May 3, 2013, the day of his death.

Which album do you recall, or still listen to: Low-Life or 7 Wishes? Maybe both?

Flashback #1: Low-Life (May 13, 1985)

Flashback #2: 7 Wishes (May 20, 1985)

See you in seven!

Friday, May 2, 2025

Friday 80s Flashback for May 2, 2025

[Be Your Bad Guy] -- I have not featured a two-fer flashback since the end of February, so I think I'm due. And even though we've just entered the month of May, I'm still not finished featuring April releases. So, both of this week's albums are from the end of April. We have a duo and a solo act this week. And both records were successful, though you might be more familiar with one than the other. I'm just guessing.

Be Yourself Tonight – Released 40 years ago this week (April 29, 1985), Be Yourself Tonight is Eurythmics' fourth studio album. It was their most commercially successful album. So, of the two albums featured this week, this is the one that most 80sphiles recall, at least when compared against this week's other album. That's my guess and I'm sticking with it. And I'm sticking with that guess because, in addition to that commercial success, Be Yourself Tonight is "one of the best rock/pop albums from the 1980s and one of the grandest, most creative albums delivered by the ever-appealing and innovative" duo known as Eurythmics [per Jose F. Promis on AllMusic]. This album was nominated for two Billboard Music Awards and the Brit Award for British Album of the Year. And two singles were nominated for Grammy Awards in 1986. Speaking of singles, there were a total of four released singles – "Would I Lie to You?", "There Must Be an Angel (Playing with My Heart)", "Sisters Are Doin' It for Themselves" (a duet with Aretha Franklin) and "It's Alright (Baby's Coming Back)" – and three of the four did really well on the charts. In fact, I'll bet you're singing one of them, probably "Would I Lie to You?", in your head as you read this, right? Oh, and as I recall, "I Love You Like a Ball and Chain" was not a single, but it did get some airplay, and rightfully so.

Mr. Bad Guy – During a proposed break from band activities starting in 1983, Queen's frontman Freddie Mercury started dabbling in recording sessions. Or, perhaps, he did more than merely dabble, depending on how much free time there was as other Queen activities did pop up (The Works and The Works Tour in 1984, for example). Anyway, Mercury's recording sessions stretched from early 1983 through January 1985. After Mercury completed 11 tracks, all of which written solely by himself, he was ready to release his first solo studio album. So, after 15 years of fronting Queen, Freddie Mercury released Mr. Bad Guy. The UK release occurred 40 years ago this week – on April 29, 1985 – while the US release occurred about a week later, on May 7, 1985. As Mercury's voice is instantly recognizable, and he had been working with Queen for 15 years, some aspects of Queen's sound do slip through. Mercury also worked with synth-pop, dance music, and disco influences, making this a decidedly post-disco record (in my estimation, YMMV). And a good one at that. Mr. Bad Guy barely made it into the Billboard 200, peaking at #159. But it peaked at #6 on the UK Albums chart, and it also made it into the top 40 of several other countries. Mr. Bad Guy was by no means a chart-topper, and even the four singles had middling chart success. Still, I think it's always a pleasure to listen to a singular vocal talent like the late Freddy Mercury. Fave tracks of mine include "Let's Turn It On", "I Was Born to Love You", "Made In Heaven", "Living On My Own", and "Love Me Like There’s No Tomorrow".

Did you have either Be Yourself Tonight or Mr. Bad Guy? Or both?

Flashback #1: Be Yourself Tonight (April 29, 1985)

Flashback #2: Mr. Bad Guy (April 29, 1985)

See you in seven!