Let's start with Rough Trade 122T, released in January of 1983. This is a 12" that included the bonus B-side "Haywire". All of the flip sides from the 'High Land, Hard Rain' era were far from throwaways and seemed to these ears to be works from a much more mature artist. Inexplicably, "Oblivious" wasn't an instant hit, peaking at a modest No. 47 on the on the UK Singles Chart, but this gorgeous piece of pop was re-released late in the year and did much better, reaching No. 18. It didn't sniff the Billboard Hot 100 on this side of the pond, but I vividly recall the video of a very young Roddy Frame hanging out in a treehouse receiving plenty of plays on MTV. Back with another 12" of "Oblivious" tomorrow.
"Oblivious"
"Orchid Girl"
"Haywire"
10 comments:
Great way to start the year Brian.
I can think of a lot worse ways to start the year!
Yessss. Result. Orchid Girl just as good. And every year I look at my AED Christmas card signed by RF himself and the boy (no longer) wonders. Thanks Brian. Look forward to the live double 7 inch long lost from my collection.
Kinggangsta, You know your stuff. That will be on Thursday. AED does such a nice job taking care of their customers. Mrs LTL got me something from them as a Christmas gift that I’ll show off in a post soon.
thanks Brian. just changed my ridiculous name and avatar previously chosen by my 11 year old.
By the beginning of '83, pop music seemed to be back in the hands of the major labels and glossy teen mags. But the sounds coming from Scotland were a welcome respite from every Culture Club and Wham! song that would be released. Thank goodness for Oblivious and Rip It Up by Orange Juice which followed a month later - even if the band had moved to Polydor.
Such a joyous song. I remember seeing them do this on Pebble Mill, god how much did I want that fringed suede jacket.
Ah, yes, the jacket. I love that shadowy photo of Frame wearing it on the inner sleeve of High Land, Hard Rain.
A timeless record. Be interesting to see the various guises....I have this 12" and the double pack 7....
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