Friday, March 8, 2019

#28. "Echo Beach" - Martha & the Muffins (1980)

Coming in at an economical 3 minutes and 23 seconds, "Echo Beach" is over far too soon.

Toronto's Martha & the Muffins not only created one of Canada's best new wave songs, it was among the best made period. 

It was also the first 45 single I ever bought, inspired to purchase with my allowance after wearing out the track from the classic K-tel High Voltage album (see the bottom of this post for a complete tracklist of songs).

The song starts with a catchy guitar riff before the synths kick in. 

And does it get any better than that sax bridge? 

The fun, energetic vibe, especially visible in the final chorus between the two Marthas reminds me a bit of the B52s's dynamic between Kate and Cindy. As a pre-teen, I had a crush on the Martha dressed in red playing the keys and backup vocals. 

A nostalgic song about nostalgia, turns out that the mythical Echo Beach that beckoned ‘far away in time’ became my future: I couldn't help but hum the tune from the first moment I saw Mavillette Beach the day of my interview for Clare tourism, 20 years ago this April. 

It's been on my playlist ever since. Because I can't help it, I'm a romantic fool...

Tracklist
A1 –Martha And The Muffins - Echo Beach
A2 –Split Enz - I Got You
A3 –The Police - Don't Stand So Close To Me
A4 –Babys - Turn And Walk Away
A5 –XTC - Making Plans For Nigel
A6 –Outlaws - (Ghost) Riders In The Sky
A7 –Michael Stanley Band - He Can't Love You
A8 –Pat Benatar - Hit Me With Your Best Shot
B1 –Blondie - The Tide Is High
B2 –Cliff Richard - Dreaming
B3 –Anne Murray - Could I Have This Dance
B4 –Kim Carnes - Cry Like A Baby
B5 –Prism - Cover Girl
B6 –Nielsen Pearson Band - If You Should Sail
B7 –The Alan Parsons Project - Games People Play
B8 –Air Supply - All Out Of Love

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