LT, you know that you have better teeth and better taste than Grampa Simpson. hal's going to be here June 28, although he's awfully beat up. You need to tell us when your work gets you behind the Orange Curtain because I'm sure it would make your week, month, year, decade ( I know that you're like us; you have family and responsibilities, but it's only a little while.)
Let's get some kinda schedule goin. Later, Gator

Hal will be back, mark f? Good news. I've been wondering where he's been.

I'll bet if I pull a string here and apply some pressure there, I can find an excuse to head west sooner rather than later.

Now Playing: "Wonder" Ric Menck _The Ballad of Ric Menck" (Summershine)

I seem to be a bit more mainstream in my fave list but...

1. Dire Straits - Making Movies
2. Michael Jackson - Thriller
3. Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual
4. Peter Gabriel - So
5. Paul Simon - Graceland
6. Genesis - Duke
7. Pat Benatar - Crimes of Passion
8. Steve Winwood - Back in the High Life
9. Squeeze - Argy Bargy
10. Carly Simon - Come Upstairs

Oh yes, LinnTate, I am back and WOW, you have an invite behind the Orange Curtain. We should definitely get together for that. Send me an E-mail at hal2315@yahoo.com and definitely lets arrange a simultaneous Orange County invasion.

I can guarantee you that mark f provides the best company, beer, music and movies.

In keeping with the thread, asc85 did mention Graceland, which is probably not on my list but one hell of a s**t-hot LP.

hal

1- XTC- Black Sea (I don't know a band more under rated and ripped off than XTC they hit harder than the Talking Heads and experimented more and gobs of bands from Hot Hot Heat to Franz Ferdinand to Blur to Dismemberment Plan rip them off!!! Black Sea is essential.

2- Jesus and Marychain - Psychocandy (Essential, noisy, and just perfect)

3- Gang of Four - Solid Gold (The American underground punk/nu punk scene learned the dance punk moves from these masters. It still sounds more current than most bands too.

4- Echo and the Bunnymen - Songs to Learn and Sing (Dramatic, intense, sullen, and just perfect singles from the floppy haired "other" foursome from Liverpool).

5- Duran Duran - debut album OR Rio (Electroclash and dance punk took moves from these boys and this incredible debut or Rio are essential. These boys could play disco pop with energy and sass has anyone ever heard the Faint imitate these boys?)

Your list might be a bit more mainstream, asc85, but a lot of those selections could have easily found their way on to my list.

Peter Gabriel's _So_ was a great album. I think Paul Simon's _Graceland_ was one of the most important albums of the decade. I saw a stop on that tour in St. Louis, which was a tremendous show.

Dire Straits. I damn near wore _Making Movies_ out on vinyl. The only time I saw them was on the _Brothers In Arms Tour_. Another great show. I remember the day _BIA_ was released. A friend called me at the record store and asked about it. I told him it was good and had a kind of a funny song about MTV. Little did I know...

Beer, music, movies AND good company, hal? Oh, yeah. Got to start working on manipulating the work schedule. Welcome back, by the way. We've missed you.

Intellectos, XTC baffles me. At no point, in all of the lists I've put up here, have I mentioned them (outside of quick reference to their appearance in the film "Urgh! A Music War"), but if you asked me, I'd say, "Sure. XTC. One of my favorite bands of all time."

I don't know why I take them for granted. I don't why I think the rest of world takes them for granted. I think All Music got it write when it described "...XTC [as] the great lost pop band."

Now Playing: Aimee Mann on NPR's "Weekend Edition." She's talking about what kinds of books she takes on tour and says she's been taking boxing lessons lately (?!!)

This message has been edited. Last edited by: LinnTate,

LinnTate,

I appreciate your comments regarding my picks. Actually, it sounds like we had a similar "Dire Straits" experience! I was always told to get "Making Movies", but I was never a big Dire Straits fan. I guess I had some extra money one day, and I guess I had all the other albums I could possibly think of. I bought the album, and I think I listened to it over and over again for about 2 years! With the exception of "Les Boys", I think every song is superb. Side 1 is as close to a perfect side on an album as I have ever heard.

And I saw Dire Straits on the Brothers in Arms tour as well! I went with a friend who was skeptical of Dire Straits, but I gave him "Making Movies" as a gift, and he got hooked too! A friend got me Row 2 tickets (better not ask!), and it was an excellent show. Although I was disappointed that they didn't do "Skateaway" when I saw them.

As for your picks, I'm embarrassed to say that I'm not too familiar with many of them. Was never much of a Springsteen fan (even though I've lived in Jersey most of my life!), so I can't comment on Nebraska. As for "Purple Rain", I was very disappointed in it, and felt he went too mainstream on that album. With the exception of "Baby I'm a Star", there's not too much that I REALLY like on that album. And I can't stand "When Doves Cry". Actually, I came very close to putting "1999" on my Top Ten list. I especially like the little heard, "Let's Pretend We're Married."

no galaxie 500?

XTC are a band that have undeniable influence I only have their first five albums from 1977 to 1982 ... XTC were quite a fierce post-punk band and at times they made some super frenetic art punk plus there is one experimental dub collection that sounds like electronic music or IDM you hear today too. I know Blur Dismemberment Plan and even big bands like Primus sing their praises but they never had the right image plus they stop playing out too plus they were from Swindon not London or New York too. The music press likes to make a band tangible like the Talking Heads their music outside of a few great songs has dated badly but they studied at Rhode Island, played CBGB's, and lived in New York plus David Byrne is much more media savvy than any member of XTC too.

If you want to start with a mad almost math rock early XTC album get Black Sea or Drums and Wires the songs are all dazzling and you will say to yourself how alot of new bands especially Franz Ferdinand stole their art punk moves.

"Skateaway" would have made my night as well, asc85. That track's a gem.

It's a shame you're not more into Springsteen because I have a funny observation about Dire Straits and Springsteen's album Born to Run. It's no secret Knopfler admired Springsteen a great deal, up to an including working with E-Street Band members when he could. Have you ever, however, listened to Dire Straits' "Romeo and Juliet" side by side with Springsteen's "Jungleland?" There's more than Roy Bittan in common between those tracks!

As for the rest of my list, there's nothing to be embarassed about. A lot of my favorites from the 80s reflect the fact that I was handling jazz for both a record store and radio station for half the decade, which really influenced my listening a lot. That's why I was glad to topic was favorites of the 80s rather than best of the 80s, 'cause the latter would probably have to be a different list for me. Paul Simon, for instance, would have to be included.

For that matter, even given the impact Purple Rain helping to keep the record industry struggling along at that time and promoting the "Minneapolis Sound" (like that was the only good style going on in Minneapolis at the time), I won't disagree with how great 1999 is. In fact, it's probably aging far better than Purple Rain (and certainly better than the movie). I just like Purple Rain more for no reason I can really explain.

Now Playing: "Falling In Love With Love" Clifford Brown Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (EmArcy)

I came to XTC relatively late with English Settlement, Intellectos. My friend Geoff was a maniac for them and made me listen to EVERYTHING they had recorded up to that point, for which I am eternally grateful. If you've not ventured past 1982, you're in for a treat. I remember in 1986 when Skylarking came out. Rundgren's superior production didn't disappointment and word that the band hated working with him didn't surprise, but it was still a high point in their career to that point. The Dukes of the Stratosphear further confirmed their increasing sophistication, Oranges and Lemons was a pop masterpiece, and Nonsuch a crowning acheivement. The rest of the 90s were a bit uneven, but I still look forward to everthing they do.

I don't agree with you completely vis a vis Talking Heads, but you're right about Andy's relative lack of media savvy and the fact that not touring has been a terrible blow. Outside of The Beatles (who had quite a head of steam when they abandoned the road) and Glenn Gould, I can't think of many artists who can sustain considerable esteem out of the public eye.

Now Playing: "You Go To My Head" Clifford Brown Brownie: The Complete EmArcy Recordings of Clifford Brown (EmArcy)

I pretty much love the "white" album and the "black" album, the two last XTC. I assume , LT, that you're including those two. I have all of them, so, of course, I reasonably accept their genius, just as you do. I just wish that Partridge would pay me back for that 1982 non-concert.

quote:

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Originally posted by LinnTate:
I came to XTC relatively late with _English Settlement_, Intellectos. My friend Geoff was a maniac for them and made me listen to EVERYTHING they had recorded up to that point, for which I am eternally grateful. If you've not ventured past 1982, you're in for a treat. I remember in 1986 when _Skylarking_ came out. Rundgren's superior production didn't disappointment and word that the band hated working with him didn't surprise, but it was still a high point in their career to that point. The Dukes of the Stratosphear further confirmed their increasing sophistication, _Oranges and Lemons_ was a pop masterpiece, and _Nonsuch_ a crowning acheivement. The rest of the 90s were a bit uneven, but I still look forward to everthing they do.

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I run hot and cold on XTC. When I play the "Fossil Fuel" singles collection, I get really excited. When I play "Oranges and Lemons" or "Skylarking" I get really excited. When I play the Dukes record, I get REALLY excited. Then I try the older stuff and lose interest. Maybe I'm just not arty enough. But I like some of the early singles.

For those who haven't checked them out yet, Andy's up to Volume 4 of his demos collection now. Good stuff on there. Where's the "bubblegum album" long promised to us?

XTC, are one of those bands that have fans that adore their early art punk sound or their classic pop sound from Skylarking onward ...

I love both I prefer the art punk of 1978 to 1981 I mean it is obvious that their early stuff is inspiring alot of new bands like Hot Hot Heat, Franz Ferdinand, Winterbrief, and more ...

I can't argue with Skylarking or Oranges and Lemons though GREAT stuff! We need a mag to do a good run through of XTC I am thinking Rolling Stone or Spin if they have the guts!

quote:

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Originally posted by philosopherEric:
Where's the "bubblegum album" long promised to us?

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Probably in the same drawer as mark's refund for the concert in '82.

As much as I love the early XTC albums, I'm more likely to reach for Fossil Fuel than listen to the albums in their entirety, at least up until English Settlement. That's the point at which I sit down with the albums as a whole. As much as I've liked Apple Venus and Wasp Star, though, I find myself wanting to pick through them in the same manner I do the early albums.

I can't see one of the big magazines getting behind XTC, I fear. They're just not going to sell magazines. I expect that every year they'll become more and more the province of a select minority of listeners, which is why I feel so evangelical about them.

Now Playing: "Monday Morning in Lagos" Fela Kuti Expensive Shit/He Miss Road (MCA)

Foreigner - records

Originally posted by LinnTate:
After making a revision to my list of favorites in the 90s thread, I find I'm having to do the same thing to my 80s list.

I'm afraid The Traveling Wilburys will have to take a powder in favor of Stan Ridgway's _The Big Heat_. His career has been so sporadic over the years that I'm afraid he occasionally drops off the radar for me, which is sad. The sadness, however is tempered every time I rediscover him.

Any other fans?

Now Playing: "Toto Dies" Nellie McKay _Get Away From Me_ (Sony)

I'll have to mention "The Indestructible Beat of Soweto", a mbaqanga collection from South Africa. The music seems like a combination of local folk, rock, reggae and unique vocals, but its just an entity unto itself. The one band included that many may have heard of is Ladysmith Black Mombazo, but the entire thing is very enjoyable, no matter which way your musical tastes run. I mean it; check it out.

My $0.02, adjusted for 80s value....

Midnight Oil, Diesel and Dust. The strongest set of songs by the best live band since The Clash.

Bruce Cockburn, Stealing Fire. More political rock, this one based on Cockburn's trip to Nicaragua. A major influence on U2, Midnight Oil, and other 80s political-rockers.

Rush, Permanent Waves. The first of Rush's essential trilogy. The very first album released in the decade; stars the underrated Alex Lifeson. Some of the best instrumental work you'll hear in rock music.

Rush, Moving Pictures. Their best album sees them moving away from the overtly progressive aspects of their music. One of the greatest drumming performances in all of rock; Neil Peart's detractors are simply jealous.

King Crimson, Beat. Crimson's most accessible album, but brilliant anyway. Guitar heaven.

Dead Can Dance, The Serpent's Egg. Would be vital for the lead-off track ("The Host of Seraphim") alone, but features many other classic DCD tracks. Their best album. Lisa Gerrard's voice was hand-crafted by God.

Marillion, Misplaced Childhood. Go ahead and laugh. The last great prog-rock album, from a band that was never as good before or since.

The Police, Synchronicity. Swan song of the most important band of the decade. Not their best, but maybe their most enjoyable.

Todd Rundgren, A Cappella. Just Todd and his Emulator. One of the most spectacular examples of what the human voice can do; Rundgren's vocals blow away all competitors.

Steve Tibbetts, YR. Phenomenal guitar album by an unknown artist who's a genre unto himself. Once described as "the soundtrack to a boat trip down the Ganges with Jimi Hendrix and Robert Fripp." JoeBob says, "Checkitout."

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