Showing posts with label 1983. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1983. Show all posts

Thursday, January 17, 2019

#81. "Everything Counts" - Depeche Mode (1983)


I'd only 'discovered' Depeche Mode when the "People are People" single charted in summer 1985. So I had some catching up to do with the back catalogue. 

Even early in their career, Depeche had produced a plethora of moody ear worms ranging from the light and poppy "Just Can't Get Enough" to the darker synth of "Lie to Me".

Then there's "Everything Counts", with its pulsating synths, powerful chorus and political lyrics "Grabbing hands, grab all they can" about the state of corporate greed in 80s England. 

The tune also provides musical hints for the future "People are People" single that paved their way for even more success during the mid and late 80s. 

And yes, there will be more from DM in the upcoming weeks...
    
Also from 1983, "Get The Balance Right" showcases a similar sound with a video taking place in an arcade. 

Wednesday, January 16, 2019

#82. "Talking In Your Sleep" - The Romantics (1983)



"Talking In Your Sleep" by The Romantics is vintage 80s and pure ear candy. 

The tune is a fusion of classic rock and the British Invasion. It's both a classic with a slice or two of cheese. A summary of the salient highlights:

- A fantastic 30 second intro. 

- Jangle guitar interplay and catchy bass slide. 

- The echo/reverb effect vocals complement a strong chorus. 

Fun fact: the 2016 single "Secrets" by The Weeknd features samples vocals from "Talking in your Sleep". 

Sunday, January 13, 2019

#85. "Saved By Zero" - The Fixx (1983)

Maybe, someday...I'll get the meaning of "Saved By Zero" by The Fixx.

I'd always been intrigued by the lyrics (was it an homage to algebra?) when released back in 1983, however at the time could only appreciate the haunting yet soothing icy cool guitar/ bass and intricate arrangements. 

The theme seemed to be a desire for a life of less stress but as a 14 year-old I couldn't really get it other than having to wait another week to watch the video.

I finally found out what singer songwriter Cy Curnin had in mind upon reading this extract from an interview in 2008:

"It was about looking at your own life, not so much about amassing material things but about experiences that lend you to be blissful... The song was written from the point of view of the release you get when you have nothing left to lose. It’s sort of a meditation. It clears your head of all fears and panics and illusions and you get back to the basics, which is a Buddhist mantra, which I practiced back then, and which I still do. The idea of the song is how great it is to get back to zero."

Très cool...I knew it was always a great tune to chill to.

The Fixx had a quite few solid songs over the decade, including "One Thing Leads to Another" and "Are We Ourselves?". More recently on satellite radio stations I appreciate the underappreciated "Red Skies".


Thursday, January 3, 2019

#95. "Promises, Promises" - Naked Eyes (1983)

1983 marked the year when electronic music went mainstream, when pop music shifted from the 70s rock stadium sound towards the synthesizers. 

Although 1982 had spawned iconic tunes like "Eye of the Tiger", "I Love Rock and Roll" and "Centrefold", 1983 saw the proliferation of synth-pop. Enter Culture Club, Duran Duran, Eurythmics, Human League and the Thompson Twins. 

And dozens of others.

Like a plethora of tunes that year, "Promises, Promises" by Naked Eyes checked off all the boxes. 

Melancholic lyrics. Check.

Layers of synth. Check.

Funky guitar and bass. Check.

Songs like these were a dime a dozen; a reminder we took it all for granted that the good times were going to last forever.  


Thursday, December 27, 2018

Bubbling under: "Second Skin" - The Chameleons (1983)



Starting in the late 70s U.K. cities best represented by Manchester produced an embarrassment of riches in the post-punk genre (The Buzzcocks, Joy Division) as youth turned to music as an escape from the bleak post-industrial economy. The proliferation of influential artists continued into the 80s with among others, New Order and The Smiths, and 90s with Oasis and the Charlatans. 

Lost in the shuffle is a band called The Chameleons. Never heard of them? Neither did I until recently.

Their 1983 debut album Script of the Bridge offers layered and textured sonic landscapes that combine the sound of early U2, New Order and The Cure. Listen to "Second Skin" on headphones or cranked in the car at night and let the haunting, hypnotic synths and reverb guitar wash over you. Like floating on air.