Monday, October 31, 2011

Cover Me Impressed: 'I Put a Spell on You'

I'm always amazed the late Screamin' Jay Hawkins' biggest moment on wax, 'I Put a Spell on You,' dates all the way back to 1956. If, by chance, a white-bread kid with a crewcut got a hold of this one when it came out, he must have been shakin' in his penny loafers. The cover from She & Him I'm including here can be found on a hard-to-find 2009 compilation Starbucks put out for Valentine's Day called 'Sweetheart: Our Favorite Artists Sing Their Favorite Love Songs.' You can also get it from Merge as a digital download b/w a radio-session version of the duo's song 'Lingering Still.' M. Ward and Zooey Deschanel have a much jazzier take than Hawkins' wild original, but I think you will enjoy both. Happy Halloween! Stay safe!

Screamin' Jay Hawkins - I Put a Spell on You (mp3)
She & Him - I Put a Spell on You (mp3)

More Cover Me Impressed:
"Johnny, Are You Queer?"
"Superman"
"Voices"
"Almost Saturday Night"
"Too Many Teardrops"
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
"They Don't Know"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"What Goes On"
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
Halloween Edition
"Porpoise Song"
"Prairie Rose"
"Come On Eileen"
"Walking On Thin Ice"
Jason Falkner Edition
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"

Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Will U2 Really Walk Away, Walk Away?

I haven't listened to much Bono has had to say for more than two decades, but he seems to have something important to say now. When referring to their future, the U2 frontman told Rolling Stone, "we'd be very pleased to end on 'No Line on the Horizon.'" Really? Is Team U2, the marketing machine masquerading as a band, ready to pull an R.E.M.? I could almost... almost see them staying out of the studio. Hey, if it's good enough for the Stones. Then again, without a pipeline of new tunes, there will be no U2 iPods or other tie-ins. Let's be honest. Could Bono & Co. ever give up the bloated, soulless arena-rock shows that bring in hundreds of dollars a ticket? No, I'm thinking we're stuck with these blokes. This mini "are we still relevant?" rampage of Bono's has to be part of some sinister plan to separate the lemmings from their wallets.

Still don't believe me? Then forget all of that and simply ask yourself, could Bono actually be "very pleased" to end his career with an album like 'No Line on the Horizon?' U2 fans, you have nothing to worry about. Here's one to remind you of better days.



Oct. 28 Update: Now Bono says the only way U2 survives and stays relevant is with a string of hit singles. What is this, 1986? Bono, in case you haven't noticed, the pop charts are about as relevant as the Grammys. Just make a good record like you and the fellas did in days of yore.

Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Keeping It Peel

As the boards of London's Evening Standard read seven years ago, today was "the day the music died." On Oct. 25, 2004, we lost legendary BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel at the less-than-ripe age of 65. Since then, many in and out of the music world have chosen to mark this day with a celebration of his life and work. Many on this side of the pond know him only from our favorite "Peel Sessions." During his 37 years at the station, more than 2,000 artists participated in 4,000-plus Peel recordings. Peel would (usually) record four tracks from the band and mix it the same day. Most of the bands I liked would sound louder, rougher and faster than they did on my albums, and I always imagined everyone in the room, including Peel, with big smiles on their faces.

Keeping It Peel - October 25thI'm an American that lived abroad for a couple of years nearly two decades ago. In an age before the popularity of the Internet and in a place with very little Western influence, my only English-language connection was the BBC World Service on my tiny shortwave radio. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled upon Peel's show one day. I knew all about him, but I don't think I had ever actually heard him before. He not only introduced me to a bevy of new bands but, more importantly, his warm delivery made me feel like I had a friend during a period when I felt pretty isolated from the rest of the world.

Webbie over at Football and Music has organized Keeping It Peel, a chance for bloggers and social media users to remember the late great Peel, and I'm proud to be a part of it. For my "Peel Sessions" selections, I'm going with an old favorite and my latest acquisition.

For at least the second time (the first being in 1977), XTC had an appearance on Peel's show. It was broadcast on Oct. 15, 1979. It can be found on the out-of-print 'Drums and Wireless'. Incidentally, I bought this one in 1994 at Import Yamachiku in Kanazawa, Japan, during the very same spell I was a regular listener of Peel's show. Yes, when it comes to record purchases, I'm a savant. As for my second selection, a couple of weeks ago I finally picked up the deluxe edition of one of my all-time favorite albums. The 22-track bonus disc of The Housemartins' 'London 0 Hull 4' was completely worth the $30 I shelled out for it. Enjoy two songs from John Peel's program, circa June 4, 1986.

XTC - Opening Speech (mp3) (Impersonation by Andy Partridge)
XTC - Real by Reel (mp3)
XTC - Ten Feet Tall (mp3)
XTC - Roads Girdle the Globe (mp3)

The Housemartins - Happy Hour (mp3)
The Housemartins - Get Up Off Our Knees (mp3)

Friday, October 21, 2011

As the Tape Turns

When it comes to format, obviously, I live and die by the vinyl album, but I do have a soft spot for the cassette, too. I estimate about half of my music purchases from 1982 until I started buying CDs in 1988 were tapes, and there weren't many days during my teen years that I wasn't hard at work on the next ultimate mix tape. I have a Volkswagen Jetta Wagon with a CD player and tape deck, and the tape deck still gets quite a bit of use. In fact, I just listened to fIREHOSE's 'fROM OHIO' on cassette during a trip to the grocery store this week.

I have noticed a growing interest in the format. From Rob Sheffield's lovely book 'Love Is a Mix Tape' to Joyful Noise reissuing Dinosaur Jr.'s 'Bug' on tape, the cassette is making a mini comeback. You can even get a box set of 10 of Montreal records on tape. Since the records included in the box are from the years 1997 to 2010, I can't help but wonder if any these titles were ever released this way, but I digress.

All of this tape talk is the long way to me recommending a "reel" fun article I read today in the Wall Street Journal on the mini cassette revolution. I found it particularly interesting that there is an Oakland-based label called Sanity Muffin that only distributes cassettes. Feeling nostalgic?

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Download New Song From the dB's

The dB's continue to take their sweet time with a comeback album, their first since 1987, but at least a few songs have trickled out in 2011. As you may recall, they released a 7" in conjunction with Record Store Day, and the A-side, "Picture Sleeve," was No. 2 on my list of the best songs released during the first half of the year. All we knew at that point was that the band planned to release a new album sometime in 2012. Now we know it will have 12 tracks and be called 'Falling Off the Sky.' There is still no release date, cover art or tracklist, but now we know it's being produced by the band with help from Scott Litt and jangle-pop god Mitch Easter. We also know there will be a tour. The band released another song this week, a free one for download to boot, and you can get it below. Enjoy "Revolution of the Mind." Yesterday I wrote about my apathy with the reunion of the Stone Roses. Hearing Chris Stamey and Peter Holsapple together again takes me to the other end of the spectrum.




Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Third Coming of the Stone Roses

I seem to be in the minority here, but I'm not all that excited about the Stones Roses reuniting. Because I'm older than the hills, this is the kind of nostalgia trip I usually dig, and the band was huge during some pretty formative years for me, at least musically, but the truth of the matter is these blokes made one stellar album (although it didn't even make my Top 40 albums of the 1980s), a less interesting followup several years later ('Second Coming'), and then called it quits. Am I the only one that felt yesterday's press conference and the subsequent coverage has been way over the top? This is like nominating Guns 'N Roses for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. There's just not enough material here for all of the pomp and circumstance. I would have respected the band more if they had quietly made a new record and let the fans decide whether this media circus is warranted.

On the other hand, NME (perhaps the biggest culprit in this frenzy) is reporting sales of the Stone Roses back catalog is through the roof this week. If the reunion gets young lads to check out their self-titled debut, I'm all for that. Here is a live take of what I think is the highlight of that album.

The Rock-and-Roll Marriage Isn't Dead

What a bummer. First, the marriage of Ivan Howard and Kelly Crisp from the Rosebuds dissolved. Now comes word Thurston Moore and Kim Gordon of Sonic Youth are separating after 27 years as husband and wife. When I just asked myself whether there is a rock-and-roll couple to respect, I was reminded of a great show I saw back in 1996. Marti Jones opened for Marshall Crenshaw at the 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., and her husband, producer extraordinaire Don Dixon, was in her band that night. I'll never forget the pure joy on their faces as they made eyes at each other on that stage. They have been playing together as husband and wife for more than a quarter century, and I'm happy to report they released another album together earlier this year. Point is, you can still believe in the sanctity of rock-and-roll marriages.

Here's a song I really like that Jones and Dixon wrote together. You can find it on her '96 album 'My Long-Haired Life,' produced by her hubby. Like a good marriage, Jones and Dixon know how to mix things up. It's a fine record filled with jangly originals and inspired covers. Give it a go.

As for Moore and Gordon, they only need to look as far as the Rosebuds to see the show can go on after the marriage ends.
'Loud Planes Fly Low' is one of this year's best albums.

Marti Jones - It's Not What I Want (mp3)
The Rosebuds - Woods (mp3)

Friday, October 14, 2011

Big Country Remembers Classic Debut

Grrr. As if I needed another reason to be jealous of Big Country fans in the United Kingdom. First, I can't seem to get my hands on the import CD single of "Another Country," the new song from the reunited Big Country with Mike Peters of the Alarm at the mic. On this side of the pond, all I can get is the video for the song on iTunes, but that's not enough for me (although I did get it). I probably want the three live in-studio songs that are included on the CD even more than the single itself. One of them is "Just a Shadow," perhaps my all-time favorite from the band.

Now I read that to celebrate the 30th anniversary of 'The Crossing,' Big Country will tour the UK and Germany in 2012 and play their brilliant debut album in its entirety. The dates are already out (see below), and it may coincide with the planned reissue of the record. Then let's not forget Big Country will release a new album with producer Steve Lillywhite sometime next year as well. If "Another Country" is any indication of things to come, this should be a highly anticipated release for us fans.

As for the reissue of 'The Crossing,' I can't help but feel pessimism that there will be any extras on it that I don't already own. I have every 12" single, B-side, BBC session and demo that's been released from the era, as well as live albums like the famous New Year's Eve show at Barrowland. I'll cross my fingers the fellas have unearthed something new. In the meantime, here's a mini mix of possibilities for the reissue. Oh, and one more thing. C'mon, lads, help me get over this jealousy thing. Bring 'The Crossing' tour to America. To keep up with what's happening on that front, I suggest you check out the revamped Big Country Web site. If you haven't been there lately, it's a huge upgrade.

Big Country - Fields of Fire (demo) (mp3) -- from 'Rarities IV'
Big Country - Tracks of My Tears (live) (mp3) -- from "Chance" 12" single
Big Country - Balcony (mp3) -- from "Harvest Home" 12" single
Big Country - Heart & Soul (mp3) -- from 'Radio One Sessions'

'The Crossing' 2012 Tour
Feb. 3: Academy, Manchester, UK
Feb. 4: O2 Academy, Liverpool, UK
Feb. 6: Barrowland, Glasgow, UK
Feb. 7: Alhambra, Dunfermline, UK
Feb. 8: O2 Academy, Newcastle, UK
Feb. 9: O2 Academy, Leeds, UK
Feb. 11: O2 Shepherds Bush Empire, London, UK
Feb. 12: Hexagon, Reading, UK
Feb. 13: UEA, Norwich, UK
Feb. 15: O2 Academy, Bristol, UK
Feb. 16: Rock City, Nottingham, UK
Feb. 17: O2 Academy, Birmingham, UK
Feb. 18: O2 Academy, Sheffield, UK
March 9: Postbahnhof, Berlin, Germany
March 10: Zeche, Bochum, Germany

Cover Me Impressed: 'Johnny, Are You Queer?'

There has always been a debate about whose song this really is. Most give the credit to Josie Cotton, and I understand that. She released it as an indie single in 1981. It became a minor hit and helped get her signed to Elektra. The song really blew up in 1983 when Cotton performed the song during the prom scene of the film 'Valley Girl.' Quite a few in-the-know music fans, especially in the L.A. area, however, already knew this song well years before because it was a live staple of the then all-girl punk band the Go-Go's. Then there was the little-known studio version from the punk band Fear that popped up on bootlegs. So, whose song is it? Actually, it's the property of two songwriting brothers that had relationships with all three of these acts.

In the late '70s, the Paine brothers, Bobby and Larson, wrote the song and had begun working with and representing the Go-Go's. They gave the song to the band to use in their shows, and it became a showstopper. Unfortunately, the Paines and the Go-Go's had a falling out in 1980 when the band went against management wishes and toured England with Madness. The relationship was severed, and the band wasn't allowed to use the song.

A short time later, Cotton began dating Larson and got permission from him to use the song one time on a demo. Finally, the Paines just let her have it. When it appeared on her major-label debut album, it should have been a smash, but Elektra was a mess at the time and dropped the ball. Still, Cotton got the song on wax. So, I feel like the song should be most associated with her. L.A. fans of the Go-Go's from their earliest days may not necessarily agree.

Throwing another wrinkle in this whole timeline, however, is that the hardcore-punk band Fear had a working relationship with the Paines too, and Cotton told Magnet in 2006 that Fear was performing the song before either her or the Go-Go's. They did record a studio version too, and you can find it on bootlegs like 'Living With Fear.' Although I consider myself a fan, I have never heard Fear do this song. If you have, let me know if I'm missing something.

So which band did the original? Does it matter? All I know is both Cotton and the Go-Go's are great. The Go-Go's take below is from a live show at the Mabuhay in San Francisco, circa August 1979. It can be found on 'Return to the Valley of the Go-Go's.' In case you were wondering, since reuniting, the Go-Go's do pull this song out from time to time. As for Cotton, you can find her first two albums on one disc here. This one approaches must-buy territory.

The Go-Go's - Johnny, Are You Queer? (Live, 1979) (mp3)
Josie Cotton - Johnny, Are You Queer? (mp3)



More Cover Me Impressed:
"Superman"
"Voices"
"Almost Saturday Night"
"Too Many Teardrops"
"Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me"
"They Don't Know"
"Everybody's Talkin'"
"What Goes On"
"There Is A Light That Never Goes Out"
Halloween Edition
"Porpoise Song"
"Prairie Rose"
"Come On Eileen"
"Walking On Thin Ice"
Jason Falkner Edition
"True Love Will Find You In The End"
"This Will Be Our Year"
"You're My Favorite Waste of Time"
"Nightime/Thirteen"
"The End Of The World"
"(Don't Go Back To)Rockville"
"God Only Knows"
"And Your Bird Can Sing"
"So Sad About Us"
"Everywhere"
"Walking The Cow"

'SMiLE' of the Day

Just a quick note in case you didn't know... You can stream some songs from the impending release of 'The SMiLE Sessions' on the Beach Boys' Facebook page. Capitol is still promising a Nov. 1 release date. Here are your purchase options once again.

Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Paul Simon to Take 'Graceland' on the Road

While Paul Simon is busy preparing to tour America again (beginning this weekend) in support of the well-done 2011 album 'So Beautiful or So What,' he's already looking ahead to 2012 and the 25th anniversary of his most acclaimed solo album (and one of my all-time favorites), 'Graceland.' We already knew there would be a blowout box set in late spring to commemorate the Grammy-award winning record, but now comes news of a tour at around the same time. Simon will reunite the musicians he used on the album and 1987 tour, including South African vocal group Ladysmith Black Mambazo. I saw Simon in 2001, and it would surely be near the top of any best-show list, but to witness 'Graceland' in its entirety would be a real dream come true. Stay tuned for more on this one.



Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Robyn Hitchcock Curates Hits Collection

Yep Roc, one of the great indie labels and a huge proponent of vinyl, is about to do something slightly odd... release a best-of collection from Robyn Hitchcock that will be available only as a digital download. The 16-track 'Chronology,' chosen by Hitchcock himself, spans his days with the Soft Boys through the Venus 3-backed 'Goodnight Oslo.' So, don't expect anything from the excellent 2011 release 'Tromsø, Kaptein,' but just about anything else goes. I'm a little disappointed the folks at Yep Roc chose to go the download-only route, but I guess this one is really a small sampler for the uninitiated anyway. The selections are tough to criticize (although I would have gone with "I'm Falling" or "Up to Our Nex" over Goodnight Oslo,"), and this looks like a great place for newbies to start. Enjoy a few clips -- including one from 'Late Night With David Letterman' circa 1989 and another where the show's host introduces him as "Robert Hitchcock" -- to get you in the mood.

'Chronology' Tracklist:
1. I Wanna Destroy You
2. Kingdom of Love
3. Only the Stones Remain
4. The Man Who Invented Himself
5. I Often Dream Of Trains
6. My Wife and My Dead Wife
7. If You Were a Priest
8. Balloon Man
9. Madonna of the Wasps
10. So You Think You're in Love
11. Queen Elvis
12. I Feel Beautiful
13. Mr. Kennedy
14. Full Moon in My Soul
15. Adventure Rocket Ship
16. Goodnight Oslo





Stream a Holiday Tune From She & Him

I know. I know. I always go overboard with the She & Him news. Tough. Since the announcement of 'A Very She & Him Christmas,' we've seen the cover and learned there are lots of extra goody options for your stocking if you preorder the CD or (my choice) red vinyl directly from Merge. Be the first on your block with a She & Him stocking cap, mittens and even wrapping paper. Best of all, today the label has given us a little listen. Check out a stream of "The Christmas Waltz," and be a good boy or girl while you wait for the Oct. 24 release.

She & Him - The Christmas Waltz by MergeRecords

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (Postscript)

My pivotal teen years occurred in the 1980s. That made constructing my top-albums list tougher than it would be if I tackled any other decade. When I started thinking about candidates, it took only a few minutes to come up with about 100 worthy albums. I also had to think about the rules. Do I pick records that were important to me in the '80s, or does an album still have to be on my turntable with regularity in 2011? How many albums will I allow an artist to have on such a short list? (In case you're interested, I capped it at two). Should I include soundtracks and live albums? (I didn't. Thus, no 'Repo Man.') That's just the tip of the iceberg. Point is, a countdown that should have filled me with pure joy had me feeling pretty anxious.

There were so many albums worthy of inclusion that didn't make the cut. I have mentioned a few of these albums during the course of presenting the countdown, such as Tom Waits' 'Rain Dogs,' Squeeze's 'East Side Story,' David Bowie's 'Scary Monsters' and at least a couple by Elvis Costello.

Then there were some bands and artists I consider all-time favorites -- that were pretty prolific during the decade -- that ended up not even sniffing the Top 40. A few examples are OMD, New Order, Nick Lowe, Crowded House and ex-Beatles. I also thought there would be more punk albums. Bands like Dead Kennedys, Black Flag, and Husker Du got me through the angst-filled years.

With all of this in mind, I wanted to post a very quick list of the records that just missed the list. These are in no particular order. This has to end sometime. So, I'm going to try to limit the comments. If you haven't heard some of these, I ask you to give them a try.

Scraps From Top 40 Albums of the 1980s

Tom Waits - 'Swordfishtrombones' (1983)
This one and 'Rain Dogs' (also from the '80s) are his his best works.

fIREHOSE - 'Ragin', Full On' (1986)
After the death of D. Boon, Mike Watt and George Hurley from Minutemen start a new band with this one.
fIREHOSE - Brave Captain (mp3)

Klark Kent - 'Klark Kent' (1980)
Solo album from Police drummer Stewart Copeland
Klark Kent - Away from Home (mp3)

Let's Active - 'Cypress' (1984)
Jangle pop from Mitch Easter
Let's Active - Waters Part (mp3)

The Crucifucks - 'The Crucifucks' (1984)
If side two was just a little stronger, this one makes the list.
The Crucifucks - Hinkley Had a Vision (mp3)

Everything But the Girl - 'Everything But the Girl' (1984)
Got this one after hearing Tracey Thorn's angelic voice on the Style Council's "Paris Match."

Carlene Carter - 'Blue Nun' (1981)
You can't go wrong with Paul Carrack, Nick Lowe, Martin Belmont, Billy Bremner and Bobby Irwin backing you.
Carlene Carter - Me and My .38 (mp3)

X - 'Los Angeles' (1980)
Pride of the Slash Records stable. Punk rockers separate themselves with powerful vocals from John Doe and Exene Cervenka.

The Jesus and Mary Chain - 'Psychocandy' (1985)
Landmark album continues to influence score of bands with fuzzy guitars.

U2 - 'War' (1983)
Yes, there was a brief period early on when Bono didn't bug me.

I could go on and on. Apologies to NRBQ, Roxy Music, Orange Juice and scores of others.

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#10-#1)

Previous:
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#40-#31)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#30-#21)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (#20-#11)
Top 40 Albums of the 1980s (Postscript)

10. 'Doolittle'

The Pixies
1989
(Buy)



The Pixies sure have milked this classic. They have been on a 20th anniversary tour of 'Doolittle' for more than two years now, but I can't really blame them... especially since I was one of the sheep that showed up for the nostalgia trip. When I saw them, at one point Kim Deal laughingly told the crowd it was time to go deep into the album. I hate to disagree with her, but there is no filler here. 'Doolittle' was truly a beacon during a dark time in the industry.

9. 'London 0 Hull 4'

The Housemartins
1986
(Buy)
The Housemartins - Happy Hour (mp3)


Housemartins, we hardly knew ye. This is one of my favorite jangle-pop albums of all time. As I gave in to technology, it was also the first compact disc I ever bought. The band had only one other full-length album after this, and some of the members went on to form the wildly successful (at least in the UK) Beautiful South, but no other piece of music matched this one from the self-proclaimed "fourth-best band from Hull."

8. 'The Gift'

The Jam
1982
(Buy)



This may not seem like an inspired choice. Most die-hard fans would name earlier, edgier and less commercial work. I can respect that, but the bottom line is my three favorite Jam songs are on this record ("Carnation," "Running on the Spot" and "Just Who Is the 5 O'Clock Hero?"), and I completely fell for the R&B, soul and funk influences. The trio disbanded at their peak, and "The Gift" was a great transition into Paul Weller's next band, the Style Council.

7. 'The Pretenders'

Pretenders
1980
(Buy)



I was too young to buy this one when it came out, but I imagine those who did must have thought, "whoa, who is this chick?" Chrissie Hynde's first album is best known for the ballad "Brass in Pocket," but believe me, most of the rest of the album is raw, raucous and pretty damn punk rock. Skeptical? Just give "The Wait" or "Tattooed Love Boys" a listen. For obvious reasons, the band had a big drop off after this record, but I'm happy Hynde was able to regroup with the satisfying 'Learning to Crawl' four years later.

6. 'High Land, Hard Rain'

Aztec Camera
1983
(Buy)
Aztec Camera - Lost Outside the Tunnel (mp3)

I have a real soft spot for Scottish bands, and this album is my favorite from a nation filled with memorable records. I still can't get over that frontman Roddy Frame made this record as a teenager. "Oblivious" is the song everyone remembers, and rightly so, but "We Could Send Letters," "Pillar to Post" and "Walk Out to Winter" remind us this is a perfectly crafted piece of pop. That this one peaked at No. 154 here in America is an absolute embarrassment.

5. 'Field Day'

Marshall Crenshaw
1983
(Buy)
Marshall Crenshaw - One Day With You (mp3)

Marshall Crenshaw will always be remembered for his 1982 debut album, but I liked this follow-up even better. Some believe the sub-par production of Steve Lillywhite is what separates 'Field Day' from its predecessor, but I'm not in that camp. (Although I have to admit the U.S. Remix of "For Her Love", sans Lillywhite, sounds cleaner and crisper than the album version.) I think this is another example of me loving an album because this is the place where (and time when) I discovered an artist that went on to become one of my all-time favorites. In other words, if you like his debut better, I won't argue. Both are great albums.

4. 'The Queen is Dead'

The Smiths
1986
(Buy)



Most of the kids I knew growing up in the '80s felt U2 was the voice of our generation, but I think it was the Smiths. Every album from the Smiths is a must have, but this is the best of the bunch. It brought the 'Meat is Murder' haters back into the fold, satisfied those that stuck with them from the beginning and, most importantly, brought many new fans to the altar. This is another example of an album that meant so much to me that I know exactly where I was when I got my first listen back in '86. Incidentally, it was the same time I got my first listen to Big Country's 'The Seer...' big day! I will put up "There is a Light That Never Goes Out" against just about any song in this decade. It was an anthem for the ages.

3. 'London Calling'

The Clash
1980
(Buy)



First, let's set the record straight. 'London Calling' was released in December 1979 in the UK, but it didn't make it to these shores until January 1980. So, in my world, this classic double album qualifies for the list. The Clash were already a big deal in the UK before 'London Calling,' but this, their third album, made them a global force. By now the band was wearing all of their influences on their sleeves. The cover was very punk rock, but the wax illustrated a myriad of genres, including ska and jazz. The Clash always seemed political, but their messages on issues like nuclear power, unemployment and war were on the front lines here. 'London Calling' has received about as many accolades (then and now) as an album can get. I'll get in the back of the line.

2. 'Murmur'

R.E.M.
1983
(Buy)



The band just broke up after 31 years together. For me, they might as well have disbanded a quarter century ago. I gave up on them long before their move to arena rock and a major label. Sounds like the remark of someone who hates R.E.M., but nothing could be further from the truth. I really love their first four albums and, in 1983 and 1984, R.E.M. was one of my favorite bands. As I have written on this blog many times, R.E.M's first two albums are just about perfect. If you only know R.E.M. from their big hits of the late '80s and early '90s, I implore you to give this a listen. Back then the band was not about hit singles and filler. Every note is a pure jangly delight.

1. 'Get Happy!!'

Elvis Costello and the Attractions
1980
(Buy)



I discovered Elvis Costello at the age of 13. I saw the video for his latest single, "Everyday I Write the Book." I liked it a lot and started saving paper-route pennies for 'Punch the Clock.' In the meantime, one Saturday night I saw the video for 'Oliver's Army' on the TBS show 'Night Tracks.' I'll never forget it. Days later I bought my first Costello record. 'Punch the Clock' would have to wait. I got a cassette copy of 'Armed Forces' instead. Thus began a love affair with Costello that lives on to this day. 'Get Happy!!' came into my life about a year later. It's not only my favorite Costello album from the '80s, it's my favorite album from his entire discography. The record is 20 short songs of snappy pop, R&B and soul right out of the vaults of Stax and Motown. This is the first Costello album where you realize he's not just an angry young man. Much like Joe Jackson, he's a renaissance man capable of any musical genre. Within two years he would tackle country ('Almost Blue') and chamber pop ('Imperial Bedroom'). Either one of these records (as well as a couple of others) could and should be on this list, but I didn't want this to become the Costello Show.