Gary Myrick and The Figures - She Talks In Stereo (1980)

This song is on two lists of music that were a part of my musical character. The first, the Soundtrack to Valley Girl. What an epic collection of music. Secondly, it's part of the Exposed family, in specific Exposed II.

These two albums opened my ears to music I would not have given a chance and broaden my musical tastes to where it is today. I am forever grateful.

This song is a fine example of something I would have easily ignored because of the rock music I was too focused on.

Give It A Listen!

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Eddie Money - Baby Hold On (1978)

I don't rememer exactly when I heard this but it stood out from many of the other songs in 1978. It's simplistic approach with a fully layered produced song...This is fantastic. He had a unique look at the time too. Longer hair, but not a hippie or a hard rocker, with an open knotted tie with a sport coat. I loved it and mimiced it whenwver I got a chance.

Give It A Listen!

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Madness - It Must Be Love (1981)

What a brilliant song from a brilliant band. So melodic and well produced. One of Madness's best! When this came out I was, meh, okay, I like the two-tone ska stuff better. Madness was a nutty fun band that had that unique sound. When I got older and I embrace more music, this one made the light go on!

Give It A Listen!

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Madness - 7 (1981)

DISCOVERED

I am only familiar with their hits and never dove in their musical arsenal. This isn't as iconic as some of their other recordings after this release but definitely worth a listen. To me it lacks the energy and fun that they we are accustomed to, but Sugg's vocals never fail to deliver. It wasn't until the seventh song on this album named seven that I found something Madness worthy.

GREY DAY

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Machine - Machine (1979)

DISCOVERED

I am wondering how much unheard disco music exists out there... There must be years and years of Disco music that never hit these ears. I found this quite enjoyable and musically sound.

GET YOUR BODY READY

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Michael Schenker Group - MSG (1981)

DISCOVERED

I used to think that Michael Schenker was overrated and distanced myself anything he was involved in. That's what happens there is an over abundance of music. This is good album. I can see how his guitar work gets attention. This is reminiscent of early Judas Priest, Rainbow and Whitesnake. There are some songs that I find mediocre at best, and others that clearly stand out.

READY TO ROCK

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Anne Murray - I'll Always Love You (1979)

MEMORY

Not really a fan of slow soft love songs. Nearly all of the songs on this release are such. Once in a while there is one that is well written and well performed. When you can feel the emotions through music, that's magic.

BROKEN HEARTED ME

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Mötley Crüe ‎– Too Fast For Love (1981)

MEMORY

For me this is the Genesis of my infatuation for Heavy Metal. Punk was just about dying out, and in comes METAL. In comes Mötley Crüe. It's what your parents didn't want you to listen to...Raw, Loud, Rude Evil, it was the Seven Deadly Sins in the form of music. This is a front to back listen, knowing every song, every lyric, every solo, every cowbell, every harmonic. 

LIVE WIRE

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G-Force - G-Force (1980)

DISCOVERED

If you like 80s Hard Rock, this is for you. Gary Moore and G-Force it's like Journey meets Night Ranger, but better. Gary Moore's amazing guitar work is on here and I never knew the even existed until Victims Of The Future came out, and my mortis operandi was not to go back and listen to what he had done prior. This is very very good, even though there are some slower stuff on here. The reason Gary Moore is my favorite guitar player, it's because you can feel and hear the emotion trough his guitar.

YOU

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Kelly Marie - Do You Like It Like That? (1981)

DISCOVERED

I am sure there is so much more disco than anyone every thought existed.

FEELS LIKE I'M IN LOVE

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Teena Marie - It Must Be Magic (1981)

DISCOVERED

Before there was Lovergirl, there was this release from Teena Marie. Sad to find out she passed away in 2010 from a massive seizure at the age of 54.

This is pretty good, and you definitely can that iconic Teena Marie vocal.

SQUARE BIZ

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Johnny Moped - Cycledelic (1978)

DISCOVERED

This definitely has all the ingredients of what I consider the Post Punk music to be. At times there is some variance to that but as a whole if I would have known of these guys they would have been on THE TAPE.

WEE WEE

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Steve Miller Band - Circle Of Love (1981)

MEMORY

Not much of a Steve Miller fan, and this album is one of those reasons, I mean the B side is one long song. Makes sense for Steve Miller since nearly all his songs sound the same and repeat the song title over and over and over and over in the chorus. Giving this a listen, I found that I do remember the featured song and its the only track that worth listening to.

HEART LIKE A WHEEL

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Mondo Rock - Chemistry (1981)

DISCOVERED

This stuff is fairly soft but the melodies are catchy as are the lyrics. I love the organ, it gives it that European sound, but these are are from Australia.

COOL WORLD

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Manfred Mann's Earth Band - Chance (1980)

MEMORY

There is some decent stuff on here. But there is one song that I absolutely love. I'm not much of a Springsteen fan. He is kinda like Dylan, the man can write, but the man can't sing. After hearing the original, Manfred Mann's version is FAR superior in every way. Don't call for your surgeon, even he says it's late, it's not your lungs this time, but your heart holds your fate.

FOR YOU

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Carolyne Mas - Carolyne Mas (1979)

DISCOVERED

I don't know how this release flew under the radar. Female Pop singer with decent vocal ability. There are some ballads on here but there are some fairly good tunes on here. I found this video that has three of the songs I believe are are good representation of this album.

STILL SANE, QUOTE GOODBYE QUOTE, NEVER TWO WITHOUT THREE

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The Motels - Careful (1980)

DISCOVERED

It wouldn't be until All Four One came out until I would go back and listen to early Martha Davis and The Motels. Quick bit of trivia for you...The iconic song from Top Gun, "Take My Breath Away" by Berlin, The Motels original submitted their version and it was rejected. There are some songs on here that are VERY New Wave, and other that I consider rock. My favorite on this release would be this.

DANGER

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Steve Miller Band - Book Of Dreams (1977)

MEMORY

This album was huge, Steve Miller and his Pegasus stole the air play and airwaves in that summer of '77. Whether it was funky kicks or funky shit that was going down in the city, it was going...It marked their must successful album at that time, until in 1982 when the Abracadabra single went to number 1. Steve Miller was a local guy, but all in all, I never thought too much of his music. I enjoyed the hits, but I never liked anything else on his albums. There are songs in musical history that seem incomplete unless played in sequence. "Light In The Tunnel" and "Human Race" by Red Rider, "Eruption" and "You Really Got Me" by Van Halen, "Bringin' On The Heartbreak" and "Switch 625" by Def Leppard, "This Beat Goes On" and "Switchin' To Glide" by The Kings, and this....

THRESHOLD/JET AIRLINER

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Misfits - Beware EP - (1979)

MEMORY

This was Punk, this was energy, this was angst, this was loud, this was raw this was.. Attitude

ATTITUDE

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Meat Loaf - Bat Out of Hell (1977)

MEMORY

This, regardless of what anyone says, is one of the most overated albums of all time. There are some great songs on here, don't get me wrong. 

But I can name 50 albums better than this that never got half the recognition that Bat Out Of Hell got. Enough, it still belongs on here...In fact I bought the single Paradise By The Dashboard Lights and played it continuously. The song captured energy, and seemed real. Not just words in a song, but as if you were a witness, to a discussion between a man and a woman.

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YOU TOOK THE WORDS RIGHT OUT OF MY MOUTH (HOT SUMMER NIGHT)

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TWO OUT OF THREE AIN'T BAD

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PARADISE BY THE DASH BOARD LIGHT

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