Gen X-er living in a time machine, high on nostalgia. Flashbacks is the debut album by Peach on a beach, a tribute to growing up in Dartmouth, NS during the 80s. Available on streaming and CD. Check out YouTube videos for "Beeping and Bleeping", "Pizza Corner", "Before Call Display", "Anticipation Street" and "Boogeyman Trail". Released on Feb. 16, "Rabbit Hole", is a tribute to alternative artists The Cure and Skinny Puppy. Official website: https://www.peachonabeach.ca/
The top track for 1992, the year I moved to Vancouver, was ultimately going to be an electronic one. "Halcyon On and On" by Orbital is classified by the internet as dream trance. This mid-tempo club classic fits somewhere between techno rave and chill-out. You may vaguely recall it from the Hackersfilm.
A longtime favourite running track that I equally enjoy on headphones while writing. The mind blowing melody guarantees a shot of dopamine.
REM's "Losing My Religion" would have been the top track back in the day. I also wore out the Nirvana album like everyone else. But years later I stumbled on this almost indescribable song. It's the sound of flying through cartoon cumulus clouds and the soundtrack to driving by scenic landscapes. While North America was embracing grunge, Britain created shoegaze. A wall of reverb guitar and violin glide in and out creating dizzying layers of melody. An addictive dance beat sends it into an extra dimension. It doesn't matter that the lyrics are hard to follow without looking them up, the euphoric vocals jive perfectly with the music. A favourite song for zoning out on flights and runs.
Other favourites from 1991: "I Wanna Be Adored" – The Stone Roses
"Losing My Religion" – REM "Get the Message" – Electronic "Smells Like Teen Spirit" – Nirvana
Released in early 1990, I remember this tune sounding so futuristic.
Adapting 80s production and polishing it up a notch, it's hard to believe this track is 30 years old. Seal's strong vocals and existential musings add up to one spiritual groove.
I think "Crazy" could be released today and still sound fresh. I expected to hear more of this soulful synth vibe throughout the decade. I was wrong.
I'll always remember 1989 as when the holy trinity of alternative rock, The Cure, New Order and Depeche Mode, released amazing albums. Think back to the early 80s for minute. Hands up if you thought back these guys would be sporting cowboy hats and playing guitars at the end of the decade?
The evolution of Depeche Mode from a quirky synth-pop act to filling stadiums in North America was impressive. Like U2 with the The Joshua Tree, Depeche Mode stormed North America with an amped up, somewhat industrial form of dance music typifying the Violator album in 1989.
"Personal Jesus" is a club classic with an unstoppable beat, atmospheric guitars and menacing vocals. The badass video is a bonus. Well done boys, you've come a long way.
Other favourites from 1989: "Fascination Street" - The Cure
"Monkey Gone to Heaven" – Pixies "Bust A Move" - Young MC "Round and Round" - New Order
"Under the Milky Way" by Australia's The Church is the last great new wave single. It's also one of the most beautiful songs ever made. In terms of atmosphere and production, it's hard to top.
The acoustic strumming sets the tone, the keys are melodic and the vocals and lyrics are perfect. The layers of jangle guitars and synth are extraordinary.
It also makes you think about the big stuff like the universe and why they don't make tracks like this any longer. The song is also highly addictive: I recall playing it 10 times straight after losing my job in Vancouver back in 1996.
It would place even higher if it wasn't for the bloody 'bagpipe' solo in the bridge. I don't hate it, but it slightly ruins the ambiance. Fortunately, the tune reverts to the moody strumming and ends well with some nice reverb.
And I totally missed it back in 1988 when released. Was I too busy wrapped up listening to the back collection of The Cure, Depeche Mode and New Order to notice?
Was it even released in Canada? (Wikipedia states it reached no. 69 on the Canadian RPM 100). When the dust settles, it's by far the highest ranking song of my top 100 80s singles that I don't recall enjoying during the 80s.
Other favourites from 1988:
"Smooth Criminal" - Michael Jackson
"Dreamworld" – Midnight Oil "What's On Your Mind" – Information Society
