X - Los Angeles (1980)

For me, Punk Rock doesn't get any better than this. This entire album is a masterpeice. I had the priledge to see X perform in Milwaukee at The Starship in 1981. X is both iconic, and legenday, and to see them in a small imitimate club on North 5th street. We were no more than 5 feet away. They played two nights and we went to both of them.

Give It A Listen!

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$27 Snap On Face – Heterodyne State Hospital (1977)

DISCOVERED

I am once again updating this blog. I have another that is similar but spans all years, and I started to come across releases that should be included on here. I just stumbled across this one going through the list of releases that I had not listened to yet. At first I was going to dismiss this, but stuck with it, and I am glad I did. This is very reminiscent of the band X. The garage type raw sound, and the haunting female harmonies, and also from California. Here is one of the tracks from this album that aurally includes the smiliarites to the band X.

Kicking Around

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The Cichlids - Be True to Your School (1980)

DISCOVERED

This has to be the result of the cacophony of music that erupted as this was something that I clearly missed when it came out. Female New Wave was one of my dominant genres. Some of the songs are funny and campy but still done very well. I appreciate the Male/Female vocal lead trade off, it gives them a little more depth. And what is this... a cover? NICE!!

THESE BOOT WERE MADE FOR WALKIN'

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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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Fingerprintz - Beat Noir (1981)

DISCOVERED

New Wave from the 80s was abundant and everywhere you looked and listened. This release never hit my radar. This isn't too bad utilizing Male and Female vocals. It's about as minimal and experimental as I get. It's not anything I would put in musical rotation, but worthy of a post. 

GOING, GOING, GONE

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Boney M. - Children of Paradise (1980)

DISCOVERED

Now this a single and not an album, but the featured track was never released on their next album in 1981. It's a 70s Disco cover song of a late 60s classic from Iron Butteryfly.

GADDA-DA-VIDA

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Bucks Fizz - Bucks Fizz (1981)

DISCOVERED

Here is an ABBA wannabe band that's not too bad. Their music is poppy, happy and melodic. Unlike ABBA, the vocals are more male centric. The only thing I can say is that their music after a while loses it's luster as there aren't enough hooks and stand out moments.

PIECE OF THE ACTION

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Roberta Flack - Blue Lights in the Basement (1977)

MEMORY

Skaters....Couples only, ladies choice, Music from Wisconsin Skate University, I remember this song extensively. If there was a slow song that always got played, it was this one. This song reminds me the spot hitting the disco ball, and me sitting down and making sure my laces were tight on my skates. I couldn't skate backwards, so even if it was guys choice, for me it was no choice.

THE CLOSER I GET TO YOU

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Shalamar - Big Fun (1979)

MEMORY

Time for some Roller Skating Disco, light, airy, a slow groove, who couldn't remember those electronic Disco Drums

SECOND TIME AROUND

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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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Jim Steinman - Bad for Good (1981)

DISCOVERED

 This is an answer to Bat Out Of Hell that Epic wanted from Jim Steinman. There is only one reason this is on here, Karla DeVito. I love her voice and her attitude when she sings. Karla owns this and carries this and makes it the bright spot on a over the top collection of songs that Meatloaf eventually releases.

DANCE IN MY PANTS

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The B-52s - The B-52's (1979)

MEMORY

There is only one reason I like The B-52s and that is Kate Pierson voice. I don't enjoy their silly goofy experimental antics. Noise and weirdness, not for me. It's not creative, it's not artsy, it's crap. If you like, that is quite alright...it's fine..you just happen to like crap. I am glad they were able to hone their craft and evolved. They do deserve to be on this as Planet Claire with it's Peter Gunn melody is an exception I will make.

PLANET CLAIRE

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Earth and Fire - Andromeda Girl (1981)

DISCOVERED

Sometimes you find a band and an album that jumped on a bandwagon or formula that is popular. This group from the Netherlands jumped on the ABBA bandwagon, sort of, these guys added a Disco twist to their pop sound. It's nothing to rave about, but it's not awful.

WHAT MORE COULD YOU DESIRE

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Kleenex - Ain't You (1978)

DISCOVERED

Never heard of this until looking at this era's music..A new Wave/Punkish Duet. Enjoy!

AIN'T YOU

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Southroad Connection - Ain't No Time to Sit Down (1981)

DISCOVERED

It's 1981,.. Disco still lives!... barely... Funky Upbeat Disco...If you love the genre, you will love this.

TAKE ME BACK FOR MORE

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Dynasty - Adventures in the Land of Music (1980)

DISCOVERED

Very similar to Earth Wind & Fire with more of a Disco vibe.

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Peaches & Herb - 2 Hot! (1978)

MEMORY

At the time, Disco and dance music never appealed to me. I was into the Plasmatics and jumped on the 'Disco Sucks' Steve Dahl bandwagon. Again my older brother loved the stuff...as did my mom. Now it reminds me of Roller Skating at WSU, yeah roller skating...that where the chicks were ;)

So...some times you had to bend, The part that I enjoy is in the midpoint, when the song changes a little bit...'Shake it High, Shake it Low, etc...

Shake Your Groove Thing

This album also featured the hit song, Reunited

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