Tag: New Wave
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Armed Forces, 1979 on Columbia
Costello’s third LP and second with The Attractions (but the first to credit them on the cover). My favorites here are “Oliver’s Army” and of course “(What’s So Funny ‘Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding” (forgiving the lack of an Oxford comma). Produced by Nick Lowe, who famously wrote the latter. My copy—via Vinyl Vault in…
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The Cars, Panorama, 1980 on Elektra
This was the third studio LP from Boston band The Cars, situated between Candy-O and Shake It Up. Includes “Touch and Go.” An underappreciated album in The Cars’ discography: seen by critics as a let down and not as commercial successful as the one before or after. I like it though – more experimental, more…
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Elvis Costello, My Aim Is True, 1977 on Columbia
Costello’s debut album, coming roaring out of the gate with a new mix of punk, rockabilly, new wave, and British pub rock. Produced by Nick Lowe and recorded in Islington, London. Out on Stiff Records originally in the UK, then Columbia in the US. The original US version added “Watching the Detectives” but this version…
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Elvis Costello and The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom, 1982 on Columbia
Seventh studio LP from Costello and the sixth with The Attractions, out of F-Beat in the UK and Columbia in the US. A must have for collectors of Costello or indeed the whole new wave / alternative era of the late seventies to mid eighties. My copy – direct from the artist at a show…
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Rockpile, Seconds of Pleasure, 1980 on Columbia
This is Rockpile’s one and only studio album released under their name in 1980. The band includes Dave Edmunds, Nick Lowe, Billy Bremner and Terry Williams – though other material from Rockpile’s repertoire would come out under the name of Dave Edmunds or Nick Lowe solo albums. The whole constellation of Nick Lowe / Dave…
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Haircut One Hundred, Pelican West, 1982 on Arista
The debut album for UK New Wave band Haircut One Hundred, founded by Nick Heyward, Les Nemes, and Graham Jones, joined here by Blair Cunningham on drums. Lead single “Love Plus One” was a top 10 hit in the UK and a top 40 hit in the US. The LP was produced by Bob Sargeant…
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Heaven 17, The Luxury Gap, 1983 on Virgin
Heaven 17 included Martyn Ware and Ian Criag Marsh who had been founding members of The Human League – Glenn Gregory took the place of Philip Oakey to make Heaven 17. This was their second studio album (and best selling album) – with the single “Temptation” being the best known hit. My copy, via Pitchfork…
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JoBoxers, Like Gangbusters, 1983 on RCA
I had not actually heard of JoBoxers but took a flyer on this one just based on the sheer 80s new-waveness of the cover – the hair, the braces, the hats: vaguely Depeche Mode, vaguely Dexy’s Midnight Runners. They were a UK new wave band, who toured opening for Madness – their debut single “Boxerbeat”…
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The Police, Outlandos D’Amour, 1978 on A&M
Outlandos D’Amour was the debut album by The Police, released on A&M in 1978. You’ll find cover variations with red, yellow, and green lettering – I don’t think there’s any logic to that, just variety. Love this whole album from the jump: “Next To You” / “So Lonely” / Roxanne” And “Hole in My Life”…
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Depeche Mode, Some Great Reward, 1984 on Sire
I’ve not shared many Depeche Mode records here, mostly because I’m sharing new additions to my collection and I don’t find many DM records I don’t already have, but also because my collection is very 80s heavy, and I’m trying to rotate through decades. That said, I have been a massive Depeche Mode fan from…
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The Romantics, The Romantics, 1980 on Nemperor / Epic
“What I like about you, you hold me tight / tell me I’m the only one / wanna come over tonight” The Romantics were a Detroit power-pop / new wave band formed in the late 70s: Wally Palmer, Rich Cole, Mike Skill, and Jimmy Marinos. “That’s What I Like About You” made a top 50…
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Taco, After Eight, 1982 on RCA Victor
Taco is one of those bands/artists which fell into a trap after their first single from their debut album becomes a massive hit – Puttin’ on the Ritz in this case. Taco Ockerse put out three or four more albums, but most folks know him for that one hit, which maybe verges on a kind…
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Peter Schilling, Error in the System, 1983 on Elektra
Most well known for “Major Tom (Coming Home)” which was a top 20 hit in the US. Unfortunately the runaway success of that single relegated Schilling to something of a one-hit wonder – too bad, as it is really an interesting album and suggests he might have had a more interesting career. My copy had…
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Null and Void, Happiness and Contempt, 1980 on M.A.O. Records.
Null and Void were a self-described “early 80s SoCal synth wave band.” This was their debut EP, recorded at Devon Sound – it’s been reissued by Medical Records along with Montage Morte, their second LP from 1982. This may have been MAO Records’ first releases – catalog number MAO 1001 and 1980 release suggests so.…
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Thomas Dolby, The Golden Age of Wireless, 1983 on Capitol
Thomas Dolby, The Golden Age of Wireless, 1983 on Capitol The album originally came out in 1982, but was reissued a number of times – this is a 1983 version with “She Blinded Me With Science” as the lead track Miscredit to T. Kerr for cowriting She Blinded Me With Science – should have been…
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Nouvelle Vague on World Cafe
B(oot)log posted Mp3’s this weekend of a session Nouvelle Vague did on World Cafe last November. If you haven’t heard Nouvelle Vague you should definitely check it out. Their latest album, Bande à Part, is due out June 12th. On that album, they cover (among others) New Order’s “Blue Monday.” While I like all of…