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From the Vault...
11/19/2017
#1595 |
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info
Various Artists
"Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s Volume 2"
© Rhino Records
Year of Release: 1994
Rating:
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track listing
Pop Muzik
M
Hit Me With Your
Rhythm Stick
Ian Dury &
The Blockheads
Love Will Tear Us Apart
Joy Division
What Does Sex
Mean To Me
Human Sexual
Response
My Mistake
The Kingbees
The Funky Western
Civilization
Tonio K.
You Won't Be Happy
The Beat
I Don't Like Mondays
The Boomtown Rats
I Got You
Split Enz
Danger
The Motels
Echo Beach
Martha &
The Muffins
Whip It
Devo
Vienna
Ultravox
So Long
Fischer-Z
Away From Home
Klark Kent
Turning Japanese
The Vapors
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Various Artists
"Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s Volume 2"
We travel back in time, for another set of New Wave music from the 1980s. Rhino's Just Can't Get Enough: New Wave Hits Of The '80s, Volume 2.
Like many songs from collections of these, are well-known songs heard on the radio, and, in the 1980s, MTV television. For some, these hits were one-hit
wonders, and if they had any other songs, there would be practically that "one song" they did, that everyone remembered.
For most of these compilations, there are the songs you have always known, and the others is either "Oh, I remember that one..." or you just may never
have heard. Most of the New Wave groups and artists were from England. Most British music fans would remember most or all of those from the UK, where U.S.
fans may or may not have heard of them.
So, let's look at the songs I do remember... And I'm sure some of you remembered these too...
"Pop Muzik" by M -- This song was a U.S. #1 hit, with its catchy phrase of its title. The artist named M was a new wave/synthpop
project led by English musician Robin Scott for a brief period in the late 1970s and early 1980s.
Recently, a best of M/Robin Scott was reviewed here on this website.
"Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick" by Ian Dury & The Blockheads -- This particular track I first heard from the Concerts For The
People Of Kampuchea. Dury was from England, and this track being a live recording, I was eager to listen to the original studio recording, likewise
more of his music. From that, another well-known hit by Dury and the Blockheads was the famous song, "Sex And Drugs And Rock And Roll," which was
played heavily on FM radio.
"I Don't Like Mondays" by The Boomtown Rats -- Bob Geldof was the lead singer of this band, and I remember them from their
appearance on The Mike Douglas Show. Douglas was a well-known talk show host, and the Boomtown Rats were referred to as "the next Rolling Stones."
Watching them perform was very unique. Geldof's appearance was different than your normal rock and roll artist (just as Mick Jagger was). Geldof would
become more famous in his involvement with charities: He would be a part of USA For Africa, as an all-star lineup of musical giants would record
"We Are The World" written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. The result of that song would be Live Aid -- an all-star charity concert,
with all the monies donated for African hunger.
"I Got You" by Split Enz -- Split Enz was another one of those songs that received heavy airplay on FM radio. They were from New
Zealand, and were popular throughout the late 1970s and early 1980s. Formed in 1973, by Tim Finn and Phil Judd, they acheived a many band members throughout
their existence. They would have ten albums of which seven were studio albums. Their albums would reach the top ten on the New Zealand Music Chart. In the
early 1980s, four of their albums reached #1 on the New Zealand albums chart, and three #1 albums in Australia. Two of their albums reached the Top Ten in
Canada, two reached the top fifty in the U.S., and one top fifty album in the UK. "I Got You" topped the chart in New Zealand and AUstralia.
"Whip It" by Devo -- This one everyone remembered, for those who were around when it was a huge hit. What was also best rememembered
was their stage appearance, wearing red, terraced Energy dome hats (empty potted plants as some would say). These hats were first worn when they released
their 1980 album Freedom of Choice, which featured "Whip It." Other mentions of Devo was their unique cover of the Rolling Stones' "(I
Can't Get No) Satisfaction" (which they performed on Saturday Night Live, and the mentioning of the title of their first album Q: Are We
Not Men? A: We Are Devo! (1978)
"Vienna" by Ultravox -- Ultravox was introduced (to my knowledge) from the Live Aid concert. Led by lead singer Midge Ure,
"Vienna" is a very powerful song, as this band performed it extremely well at Live Aid. The other song they performed there, was "Dancing
With Tears In My Eyes." Midge Ure would help produce and he co-wrote another all-star song for charity, "Do They Know It's Christmas," as this
song, like "We Are The World," included an all-star musical lineup of artists from the UK.
"Turning Japanese" by The Vapors -- More of a novelty song, I remembered this song from the Dr. Demento shows. This band was
together from 1978 to 1981. Novelty or not, this song was believed to have been about masturbation. Bandmember David Fenton (who wrote the song) denied
the rumor, yet he did say that he would have liked to thank whoever first came up with that interpretation, as he felt that the rumour about what the song
"really" meant may have been what made this song a hit.
Now let's look at the songs that I did not know... (And for some, you may know, or not know...)
"Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Joy Division -- An English rock band, formed in 1976, Led by singer Ian Curtis, the band would
develop a sound and style making them one of the most popular bands from the late-1970s post-punk movement. As they become more popular, Curtis would
develop personal programs, such as depression, a failing marriage, and epilepsy. Performing live was difficult, as he suffered seizures. He committed
suicide in 1980, age 23. As Joy Division, they only released two studio albums. Afterwards, the remaining bandmembers continued as New Order, and became
very successful. Their most popular song (as New Order) is the classic "Blue Monday." Joy Division today is just as popular, as an influence and
fan favorite.
"What Does Sex Mean To Me" by Human Sexual Response -- An American band formed in 1978, they remained together until 1982.
Named after the classic Masters and Johnson best-seller, the band started out as an a cappella country band, called Honey Bea & The Meadow Muffins.
They decided to form a rock band, and posted ads for members to join. Human Sexual Response was born. They recorded two studio albums in 1980 and 1981,
and an EP, in 1981. "What Does Sex Mean To Me" and other songs received airplay on college radio, and became a cult success.
"My Mistake" by The Kingbees -- Formed in Canada, led by Jamie James. The Kingbees recorded two album with producer David J.
Holman, from RSO. Their first album, self-titled, received critical acclaim with the "My Mistake." Their second album included touring, and an
appearance on Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and a cameo appearance in the movie The Idolmaker. The band broke up in 1983, and James pursued
a solo career, including forming bands with celebrities such as Harry Dean Stanton, and another band with actor Dennis Quaid. He continues to record.
"The Funky Western Civilization" by Tonio K. -- An American singer/songwriter, whose real name is Steven M. Krikorian. He has
released eight albums. His songs have been recorded by such artists as Al Green, Aaron Neville, Burt Bacharach, Bonnie Raitt, Chicago, Wynonna Judd and
Vanessa Williams. His credits include a written song ("16 Tons Of Monkeys") featured in the 1992 short film, Session Man, which won an Academy
Award. He worked with on Burt Bacharach's album At This Time. Hip-Hop artist Dr. Dre was also involved with this album. It won a Grammy for Best
Pop Instrumental recording, in 2005. He has been in the music business since 1966. By 1978, he was solo, as he took on the name "Tonio K."; referencing
to the writings of Kafka and Thomas Mann. He would be hailed as America's answer to Britian's Angry Young Men (Elvis COstello, Joe Jackson, Graham Parker).
"You Won't Be Happy" by The Beat -- Paul Collins was the originator of The Beat (soon renamed to Paul Collins' Beat). They were
an American rock and power pop band from Los Angeles. formed in 1979. Paul Collins' Beat resurfaced in the 1990s and continues to tour and record new
material. Collins has released several projects with his alternative country group The Paul Collins Band, who plays Americana music inspired by country
rock and folk rock. They began in 1976, as the name The Nerves. One of their songs, "Hangin On The Telephone" would be covered by Blondie from
their Parallel Lines album. After leaving the group, he formed the Breakaways, and afterwards, The Plimsouls. Members of that band would become
The Beat. In 1979, the Nerves' music was reissued on Columbia/CBS, with the help of their friend, Eddie Money. Guests appearances were on shows such as
Dick Clark's American Bandstand, and the Merv Griffin Show. They also were part of the soundtrack to the movie Caddyshack. Despite their
promotion, radio airplay on college radio, and touring, the band found little success. By 1982, they renamed themselves as "Paul Collins' Beat," which
they changed, due another British ska group of the same name, The Beat. In the U.S. would release an album, forcing the Brisith group to use the name
"The English Beat," as the British group was threatened with a lawsuit, by Columbia, Collins' record label.
Information on the this volume and its artists can be found
here.
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Review or any portion may not be reproduced
without written permission. Cover art is the
intellectual property of
Rhino Records
and is used for reference purposes only.
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