Your last listen

[Fretless]

Husker Du 'Warehouse Songs and Stories' (1986)



The importance of Husker Du to America's Punk scene cannot be underestimated, after a series of blistering records for indie-label SST they had switched to Warner and seemed poised for a breakthrough. However, songwriters Bob Mould and Grant Hart had increasing problems with each other (not entirely undue to Hart's increasing drug reliance). Still, along with bassist Greg Norton, they were able to shape this monumental, final album of buzzsaw guitars and anthemic songs.

The Beach Boys meet The Ramones!

Love it.

[CN211276]

Barclay James Harvest - Gone to earth

[Fretless]

Propaganda 'A Secret Wish ' (1985)



In an 80's synthpop phase, mainly Depeche Mode, at the moment. Then gravitating towards the various albums produced by Trevor Horn in that period.

German act Propaganda were one of ZTT' s early signings and their debut followed the success of FGTH with a similarly sophisticated production and a drier, theatrical, less hedonistic approach.

An album to savour.

[CN211276]

Deep Purple - Turning to crime

[savvypaul]

Ween were the ultimate cosmic goof of the alternative rock era, a prodigiously talented and deliriously odd duo whose work travelled far beyond the constraints of parody and novelty into the heart of surrealist ecstasy.​

According to someone...

[Fretless]

ABC 'The Lexicon of Love' (1982)



Sheffield's ABC stormed in on the back of the New Romantic wave and brought memorably dramatic songs to the upper regions of the charts.

Production was from Trevor Horn, fresh from successes with The Buggles and Yes. You can hear him developing his wide-screen, everything-and-the-kitchen-sink approach here with Frankie's 'Relax' being around the next corner.

I have never really paid sufficient attention to Horn's more pop-orientated albums and intend to put this to rights with (2nd hand) CDs from Seal, Grace Jones and Art Of Noise on order.

Shoot that poison arrow through my heart....

[CN211276]

Porcupine Tree - Deadwing

[Fretless]

The Jam 'Setting Sons' (1979)



Another record that I couldn't get into way back when, despite being an admirer of the previous 'All Mod Cons' and following 'Sound Affects'.

The Jam got ambitious with 'Setting Sons' and it is a concept album about 3 childhood friends who lose touch as life pulls them to different fates. It's a rather dark and bitter ride but the playing and performance of the band is quite extraordinary. Bruce Foxton's Rickenbacker bass is what really drove the group and it has never sounded better than on this LP.

As an artistic statement, this is the pinnacle of The Jam's short but explosive career.

Essential.

[Fretless]

The Jam 'Dig the New Breed' (1982)



A posthumus selection of live tracks released on the day of their final gig.

I never got to see The Jam in concert. Hell, I wish I had !

[CN211276]

I never got to see The Jam in concert. Hell, I wish I had !

Saw Bruce Foxtons From The Jam four years ago and they were good.

Currently playng Girlschool - WTFortyfive?