Utopia - s/t

Name: Utopia
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Bad Finger, Foreigner, XTC, Squeeze, 10cc, Supertramp, ELO, Jellyfish, Be Bop Delux
"One-Word" Review: Buoyant Harmonic Hook Pop
Based Out Of: NYC, NY, Upper Darby, PA
Label: Elektra, Asylum, Warner, Network

Cover, Sleeve, Records

Back, Sleeves, Records

Utopia (1982)

1. Libertine 2:47
2. Bad Little Actress 2:50
3. Feet Don't Fail Me Now 3:06 (single)
4. Neck On Up 2:53
5. Say Yeah 3:04 / 
6. Call it What You Will 3:48
7. I'm Looking At You, But I'm Talking to Myself 3:38
8. Hammer in my Heart 4:10
9. Burn Three Times 3:15
10. There Goes My Inspiration 3:24 /
11. Princess of the Universe 3:29
12. Infrared and Ultraviolet 2:17
13. Forgotten But Not Gone 2:31
14. Private Heaven 3:12
15. Chapter and Verse 3:40

Album Rating (1-10): 9.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Todd Rundgren - Guitar, Vox, Producer, Engineer (Jean-Yves Labat, Luther Vandross, The New Cars, Doug Legacy & the legends of the West, Money, Nazz, Ringo Starr & His All Star Band, Woody's Truck Stop, James Cotton Blues Band, Runt, Mark Moogy Klingman, Hall & Oates, Bette Midler, Meat Loaf, Rick Derringer, Ian Hunter, Jim Steinman, Robby Krieger, Bonnie Tyler, Dragon, Hunter, Allen Ginsberg, Pandora's Box, The Residents, Celine Dion, Alice Cooper, Bad Religion, Stephen Bishop, Ken Emerson, XTC, NIN, Brent Bourgeois, Donald Fagen, Lemon Twigs, Johnny Winter, New York Dolls, Hello People, Ultra Violet, Grand Funk more)
• Roger Powell - Keys, Vox (David Bowie, Robert Moog, Steve Hillage, Meat Loaf, Born Bluesers, Shaun Cassidy, Ian Hunter, Alice Cooper, Felix Cavaliere, Charlie Rouse Band, Rick Derringer, Randy Vanwarmer, Jim Steinman, Kasim Sulton, Logic System, Barry Manilow, Rubinoos, Sons of Heroes, Joy Ride, Bob James, Todd Rundgren, Lyle Workman, Shelagh McDonald) 
• Kasim Sulton - Bass, Vox (Meat Loaf, Joan Jett & the Blackhearts, Scandal, Hall & Oates, Blue Oyster Cult, The New Cars, Cheap Trick, Yellow Matter Custard, Rick Derringer, Tom Robinson Band, Zoot Money, Jim Steinman, Price, Patty Smyth, David Drew, Johnny Hates Jazz, Celine Dion, Alice Cooper, Bif Naked, Ken Sharp, Steve Hillage, Shaun Cassidy, Frankie Eldorado, Rubinoos, Ronnie Spector, more )
• Willie Wilcox - Drums, Vox (Hall & Oates, Stacey Q, Shaun Cassidy, Brian Briggs, David Lasley, Rubinoos, Gregory Hines, James young, Judson Spence, Bijan, Rory Block, Bardeux, Transvision Vamp)
• Doug Howard - Writer
• Chris Andersen - Engineer
• The Creative Directors, INC - Design, Production
• Len Zabala - Art Director
• John Wagman - Art Director
• Bill Hayward - Photos
• Yonah Schurink - Stylist
• Eric Gardner - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: So I had never heard of the band when I bought the record, nor did i look at the back to see famous Todd Rundgren or Keyboardist Roger Powell (whom I have reviewed a solid solo album of prior). So I'm almost positive this will be catchy powerpop.

Album Review: Harmonies, Powell's swirling 80's synth and power pop chords play throughout the full album. It is jovial, bouncy hook-filled sugary sweet pop. Knowing Rundgren produced XTC's Skylarking, you can really hear his style on "Bad Little Actress." "There Goes My Inspiration" sounds like Be Bop Deluxe.

The band was started by Rundgren as an outlet to explore synth and prog music, but the band paralleled his own solo endeavors as it evolved from Prog Rock to straightforward ELO+Big Star power pop. They only lasted 4 more years after this (and had been together 10 years before). The spiral downward seemed to happen by no fault of their own, a matter of two labels folding (Network, then Passport). A few revivals happened in 1992, 2011 & 2018. 

Stand Out Track: Princess of the Universe, Libertine

Links:
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Allmusic

Prog Archive
Best Classic Bands Kasim's 2020 tour
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Translator - Heartbeats and Triggers

Name: Translator
Album: Heartbeats & Triggers
Year: 1982
Style: Post Punk, New Wave
Similar Bands: Alarm, Jonathan Richman, Clash, Jam, Rifles, The dB's, Wire Train
"One-Word" Review: Solid Punky Art Rock
Based Out Of: San Francisco, Los Angeles
Label: 415 Records, Columbia, CBS

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Heartbeats and Triggers (1982)

1. Everywhere That I'm Not 4:03 (single)
2. Necessary Spinning 3:41
3. Everything You See 3:35
4. When I Am With You 3:06 (single b-side)
5. Nothing is Saving Me 5:16 /
6. Sleeping Snakes 3:37
7. Favorite Drug 3:32
8. Everywhere 3:19
9. Dark Region 2:31
10. My Heart, Your Hear 3:43

Album Rating (1-10): 10.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Steve Barton - Guitar, Vox (The Oblivion Click, Present Tense, Blow Up, Waking Bartonomous)
• Robert Darlington - Guitar, Vox (The Lies)
• David Scheff - Drums (Teatro ZinZanni, Dead Kennedys, Bang Bang Men, Half True, Winter Hours, Wilma, Bounty, Slow Children, American Music Club, Sachiko, Ramona The Pest, Flying Color, Billy & Dolly)
• Larry Dekker - Bass (Bang Bang Men, Map of Wyoming, Sachiko)
• David Kahne - Producer, Engineer
• Philip De Lancie - Remote Assistant
• Paul Stubblebine - Mastering
• Robin A. Spear - Cover Concept & Design
• Trudy Fisher - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. While the date is 1982, the cover looks like a millennial angular pop-punk offering. The bleak two tone color scheme give them a darkness to the music, potentially. But i really don't know what's going to be on here...based on their pics, they look like a new wave band, so let's go with that.

Album Review: This record is really great. Two vocal styles from two vocalists round out the good with a Jonathan Richmond style voice, and a Peter Weller style vocal, with music to complement both styles. The songs can be a little jangly like the Alarm, but a good recent comparison would be to the UK band, the Rifles. It feels like the third or fourth catalogue offering of a previously raucous punk band who has aged well and lost a bit of their driving, angsty edge, yet this is their debut.

This record received substantial airplay for college and underground radio stations via the record label's connection to CBS/Columbia, particularly their anthem "Everywhere That I'm Not." They release 4 albums in the 80's then quit, and reformed 26 years later to release another album, two best-ofs and a handful of new singles. One of their biggest inspirations was the Beatles, and they sounded so much like them, that many Beatles fan thought their 1983 cover of "Cry for a Shadow" was a new recording by the living members in time for the Beatles Anthology release in 1995.

Stand Out Track: Everywhere That I'm Not, Necessary Spinning, Everywhere

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Steve Barton Music
Music Alternatives
Facebook Friends & Fans
Furious: Darlington Interview
Washington Times
Unrated Magazine 2018 Barton's solo albums interview
Cryptic Rock Barton Interview 2018
Alchetron
Stereo Embers Barton's 2018 release review/stream
Songfacts 2012 Barton Interview

Taxxi - States of Emergency

Name: Taxxi
Album: States of Emergency
Year: 1982
Style: Hard Rock, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Foreigner, Cheap Trick, Bad Co., Loverboy, Night Ranger
"One-Word" Review: Back Alley Power Rock
Based Out Of: London, England
Label: Fantasy Records 

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

States of Emergency (1982)

1. Girl (New York City) 3:58 (single)
2. The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter 4:26 (single)
3. Cocktail Queen (Don't She Love to Rock And Roll) 4:06 (single)
4. I'm Leaving 4:28 (single) /
5. Players 3:58
6. Gold Digger 4:16 (single b-side)
7. Whipping Boy 4:36
8. I Remember 4:23

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jeffrey Nead - Drums, Backing Vox (Cleaners, Soho Jets, Marlon McClain)
• Colin Payne - Keys Backing Vox (Candyland, Marlon McClain, Heather Nova, Thomas Lang, Treehouse)
• David Cumming - Guitar, Vox, Synth (Cleaners, Soho Jets, The Look, David Hayes)
• Tim Gorman - Keys Backing Vox (The Who, Lazy Racer, Phil & the Noise, Marlon McClain, KBC Band, Jefferson Starship, The VU, Paul Kantner's Wooden Ships, Gabriel, Striker, Pleasure, Spinners, Tim Renwick, Marlon McClain, Defuser, Local Boys, The Look, George Whitsell, Steve Douglas, KC & the Beat Merchants, Clas Yngstrom's Sky High, Diane Tell, Alasdair Fraser, Quistaday, Heart Attacks, Greg Kihn)
• Danny Chauncey - Guitar (Billy Satellite, Eddie Money, .38 Special, Mistress, Witness, Thomas Jefferson Kaye, Jim Peterik & World Stage)
• Randy Jackson - Bass (Billy Cobham, Michael Narada Walden, Herbie Hancock, American Idol, Journey, We Are Family Collective, more )
• Phil Kaffel - Producer, Engineer, Backing Vox
• Tom Coster - Keys Bullmark, Santana, Vital Information, more)
• Steve Douglas - Sax (Replacements, Duane Eddy, Crystals, Jerry Cole, Jan and Dean, Dick Dale, Albert King, Incredible Bongo Band, David Cassidy, Keith Moon, Nilsson, Tubes, Cher, Leon Russell, Beach Boys, Bette Midler more)
• Steve Smith - Tambourine (Journey, Corrado Rustici Trio, Focus, George Brooks Summit, GHS, Players, Soulbopband, Steps Ahead, The Storm, Vital Information, Vital Techtones, Vox Humana more)
• Bob Basik - Dice
• Steve Toby - Asst Engineer
• George Horn - Mastering
• Rollie- Equipment
• Phil Carroll - Art Direction
• Phil Bray - Photos
• Jamie Putnam - Design, Cover
• Dave Leiken - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of the band, but the name Taxxi with two Xs just seems silly. With cover art of three people hidden by smoke, i imagine they are trying to communicate that they are a back alley pub rock band suited for the Miami Vice soundtrack.

Album Review: So this London based band is another act cashing in on the American power pop sound. I would not have imagined they were British until i read their bio. They were actually encouraged to move to the states after forming, so they moved to the Bay Area. Their songs vary between powerpop and hard pub rock, even throwing a touch of slide guitar country occasionally. The songs are catchy, his voice is solid, but nothing here is all that differentiating or unique. The most powerful song is probably Cocktail Queen, which was a single and inspired by an actual experience in Arizona. This is their second of five albums, six if you count the album never released, and they had songs on the Weird Science and Secret of My Success soundtracks.

Stand Out Track: Cocktail Queen (Don't She Love to Rock And Roll)

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Concord bio on States of Emergency
Tampa Bay 2017 article
Hard Rock Haven Traxx 2011 album review
Rate Your Music

Saga - Worlds Apart

Name: Saga
Album: Worlds Apart
Year: 1982
Style: Prog, New Wave
Similar Bands: Prism, Genesis, Yes, Rush, Styx, Triumph, Toto, Marillion,
"One-Word" Review: Fun Driving Melodic Pop-Prog
Based Out Of: Oakville, Ontario, Canada
Label: Portrait, CBS

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Worlds Apart (1982)

1. On the Loose 4:12 (Single US #26)
2. Wind Him Up 5:48 (Single Canada #22)
3. Amnesia 3:29 (Single)
4. Framed 5:42
5. Time's Up 4:08 /
6. The Interview 3:51
7. No Regrets (Chapter V) 4:44
8. Conversations 4:44
9. No Stranger (Chapter VIII) 7:05

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Rupert Hine - Producer
• Stephen W. Tayler - Recording Engineer
• Ian Morris - Asst Engineer
• David Rolfe - Asst. Engineer
• Clive Corcoran - Mgmt
• Zoran Busic - Mgmt
• John Berg - Design
• David Kennedy - Cover Photo
• Shostal Associates - Star Photo
• Bob Ludwig - Mastering
• Michael Sadler - Lead Vox, Keys (Pockets, Voices with Heart, Ozzy Osbourne, Emmanuel, Magnum, No Sweat, Lovetrick, Boby Kimball, Frankfurt Rock Orch, Toss 'n' Turn, Sheela, Rudy's Journey, Chain, Frameshift, Henning Pauly, Amaran's Plight, Jeff Jones, Transmission, Roswell Six, Lisa LaRue, David Barrett, Rock Sympnoy Orch ORSO, Karibow, Alan Simon, Dissociative Identity Disorder, Jonah Kihlberg;s Impera, In Continuum, Chardeau)
• Jim Crichton - Bass, Keys (Pockets, Fludd, magnum, No Sweat, Yes, Wet Paint)
• Jim Gilmour - Lead Keys, Vox, Clarinet (GNP, Phil Henry, Terry Crawford, James Gerrard Gilmour, Spookey Ruben, Henning Pauly, Negus, Glen Drover, ACT, Karibow, Mike Thorne)
• Ian Crichton - Guitars (Pockets, H30+, Any Day Now, Asia, The Alchemist, Herring Pauly, John Payne, Phenomena, Michael Sadler, Rob Moratti)
• Steve Negus - Drums, Percussion, Simmons Electronic Drums (Pockets, Fludd, GNP, Fullerton Dam, Chris de Burgh, Rupert Hine, Nylons, One to One, Lunch At Allen's)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Saga, but i bet this sounds like Yes or Genesis, or any other Prog band of the 70's, even if this is dated 81/82. No doubt about it: from the fonts, to the name, to the world map on the back: definitely  conceptual prog.

Album Review: The songs are definite Prog: Meandering, energetic complex riffs that paint a picture all their own, with passionate vocals. The songs are very lively, catchy, and I feel like there is very little self-masturbatory jam sessioning here. I'm really enjoying the album more so than normal prog bands. This is their fourth - and first with American break out songs - of their 21 album catalogue. The core group of members have come, gone, and returned over the years, with a couple You Tube auditions for replacements. Every time a milestone was set, the fans pulled them right back in (including a strong following in Germany), including calling it quits in 2017 after 40 years, only to play final shows in 2018 and a reunion tour in 2020. Interestingly, they have a concept album scavenger hunt across seven records between 1978 - 2003, where some tracks- not in any particular order, are scattered and numbered as individual chapters: 16 in all. Upon completion, a live compilation of the chapters was released in 2005 to unveil a conceptual sci-fi story line about Einsteins brain, alien interest in humanity's self-destruction, and technological resurrection of the dead. Chapters 5 and 8 are here.

Stand Out Track: Amnesia, On The Loose

Links:

spotify album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Ultimate Classic Rock 2017 Split

prog archives

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pop rock bands

Instructions - s/t

Name: Instructions
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave, Synth
Similar Bands: Devo, Styx, Buggles, Adam Ant, Gary Numan, Mi-Sex, Roxy Music
"One-Word" Review: Future Theatrical Synth-Wave
Based Out Of: Canada
Label: Atlantic, Radio Records, Warner Communications

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

Instructions (1982)

1. Wicked Heart 4:00
2. So You Learn From Computers 4:15
3. Don't Say Love 3:47 (single)
4. Suburban Dream 4:19
5. Ha Ha Ha 4:29 /
6. The Factory 3:40
7. The Extra 3:55
8. Naked Deer 2:49
9. Cleek 2:56
10. O K 3:51

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Owen Smith - Vox, Writer (Vehicle, Maxwell Friday, Old Sailor, Paris Mob, The Immortals)
• Martin Wall - Keys & Textures, Writer (Vehicle, Wenzday)
• Domenic Troiano - Guitar (Guess Who, Black Market, Bush, James Gang, Mandala, Robbie Lane & Disciples, Hawks more)
• Mike Jones - Engineer
• Larry - Backing Vox
• Peter Crolly - Bass, Writer (Frank Soda, Lee Aaron, Robert Connolly)
• Alan Webster - Drums
• Dave Beatty - Guitar (Robert Connolly)
• Regan Myers - Keys, Writer (Cosmic Ray)
• Janet Williamson - Vox
• Kimberly Johnston - Vox
• Phantasmagoria Ltd Toronto - Design
• Greg Lawson - Design
• Hugh Cooper - Asst Engineer
• Jeff Stobs - Asst Engineer
• Mick Walsh - Asst. Engineer
• Robin Brouwers - Asst. Engineer
• Claudette Abrams - Photos
• John Driscoll - Producer
• Gaston Gravell- Producer Asst.

Unknown-ness: I never heard of this band, but it cover makes them look like a dark, pub band with back-alley musical style. The font, however, looks computer-generated, but that might feed into the spy theme with instructions for a secret mission. Still going to assume this is Pub Rock.

Album Review: The music is much more synthetic and new wave, similar to a cold, future concept album like Mr. Roboto, with dark, sanitized synth beats juxtaposed with an emotive singer, sometimes singing with a Devo-like monotone. "Suburban Dream" has a bit of a Police-like reggae melody to it. O K sounds a little like Roxy Music's "The Strand." The synthy part of "Cleek" reminds me of Adam Ant's talk-singing. "The Extra" is fun Power-Pop still keeping a toe in future synth sounds, but "Ha Ha Ha" sounds out of place on the album, like a Supertramp song.

Stand Out Track: Factory

Links:
what Frank is listening to
Willfully obscure
Discogs
owen smith website

Huang Chung - s/t

Name: Huang Chung
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave, new romantic
Similar Bands: Thomas Dolby, Psychedelic Furs, Ultravox, Police
"One-Word" Review: Synthy Smooth Soundscapes
Based Out Of: London
Label: Artista,

Cover, Record

 Record, Back

Huang Chung (1982)

1. Hold Back The Tears 4:05
2. I Never Want to Love You In a Half-Hearted Way 3:12
3. Ti Na Na 4:24 (single)
4. Straight From My Heart 2:45
5. Dancing 4:35 /
6. China 3:24
7. Rising in the East 5:25
8. Chinese Girls 2:48
9. Why Do You Laugh 4:00
10. I Can't Sleep 3:15

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Jack Hues (Jeremy Ryder) - Guitar, Lead Vox, Piano (Scabb Harry, Intellektuals, 57 Men, Blanket of Security, Martin Page, Strictly Inc, Eg, Tony Banks, Led Bib, Bose, Definition Of Sound, Gene, Arkarna, Fey, Edurne, The-Quartet, )
• Nick De Spig (Feldman) - Bass, Percussion, Vox (Pig Williams, Intellektuals, 57 Men, Blanket of Security, Promised Land, Suggs, Tom Robinson, )
• Hogg (David Burnand) - Sax, Percussion, Vox (Blanket of Security)
• Darwin (Darren Costin) - Drums, Percussion, Vox (57 Men, Blanket of Security, Heroes)
• Rhett Davies - Producer (Roxy Music)
• Roger Bechirian - Remixing & Producer (Undertones)
• Fin Costello - Photos
• Steve Joule -Design
• Alex Feldman - Logo Design
• Ged Doherty - Mgmt
• Andy Hilton - Mgmt
• Nigel Mills - Engineer
• Stuart Henderson - Engineer
• Dave Bellotti - Engineer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but with an Asian name, but non-Asian band members (looking at the back pics), I'm not sure how to react to the album, although four of the ten tracks also have a Chinese theme, so will this be Chinese appropriated new wave? Not sure!

Album Review: So this band went on to a name change into Wang Chung once they became the second band from the UK to be signed to Geffen (their next album. Asia was the first UK band signed), because the label saw their name get mis-pronounced as Hung Chung. "Wang" was more phonetically accurate. The name means Yellow Bell, and is the first note in the Chinese classical scale. The songs are cold, smooth soundscapes full of synth and bouncy beats, with only a touch of Asian assimilation. The vocals remind me a lot of Thomas Dolby: cold and calculated, and emotive when they need to be.

Stand Out Track: Chinese Girls

Links:
Full Album Youtube
album wiki page
WC wiki
WC Discogs
NJ101.5
allmusic
ilxor thread
trouser press
pastdaily
rate your music
website

Franke & the Knockouts - Below the Belt

Name: Franke & the Knockouts
Album: Below the Belt
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Foreigner, Bad Company, Journey, Scorpions, Mr. Big, Boston, Loverboy
"One-Word" Review:
Based Out Of: New Brunswick, New Jersey
Label: Millennium, RCA

 Cover, Notes, Record

Back, Lyrics, Record

Below the Belt (1982)

1. Never Had It Better 4:06
2. Without You (Not Another Lonely Night) 3:45 (single, top 25 hit)
3. Just What I Want 4:34
4. Any Way That You Want Me 3:40
5. Morning Sun (Dream On) 4:12 /
6. Shakedown 5:14
7. Keep On Fighting 4:34
8. Have No Fear 3:59
9. Gina 4:00

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Peter Solley - Producer, Arrangements
• Franke Previte - Vox, Co-Producer, Arrangements (Bull Angus, Brave New World, Disco Kids, Russ Taff, Scandal, Cyndi Lauper, Seiko, Richie Sambora, Patty Smyth, Jennifer Rush)
• Billy Elworthy - Guitar, Co-Producer, Arrangements (Michael Bolotin [Bolton])
• Blake Levinsohn - Keys, Co-Producer, Arrangements
• Tommy Ayers - Keys, Synth, Backing Vox, Co-Producer, Arrangements (Trigger, Dumptruck)
• Leigh Foxx - Bass, Co-Producer, Arrangements (Brian Briggs, Paley Bros, Benny Mardones, Randy Vanwarmer, Nicole Wills, Iggy Pop, Deborah Harry, Henry Lee Summer, Debbie Harry, Yoko Ono, Blondie, Clayton Bruce Ost, Holly & the Italians, Sonny Kenn Band, Karen Lawrence & the Pinz)
• Steve Klein - Engineer
• Patrice Carroll - Asst. Engineer
• Al Wotton - Drums (Mark Farner, Rachel Sweet, Mitch Ryder)
• Ricky Hitchcock - Guitar (Peter Oxendale, Ian Page, Walker Bros, Duane Eddy, Alvin Stardust, Tony King Sound, Dave Pope, Lewis Furey. Joe Bourne, David Dundas, London Symphony Orch, Sphinx, Hank Marvin Guitar Syndicate, R&J Stone, Graham Dee, Karen Cheryl, Miquel Brown, Alec R Constandinos, Stardust, Edna B. Jerano, Love & Kisses, Marion, Vince Cadillac, Steven Schlaks, more)
• Richie Puente - Percussion (Foxy, George & Gwen, Latimore, Amant, Osmonds, Ish, Niteflyte, Alliance, Viola Wills, Mink DeVille, Les Brown, Peter Frampton, Debbie Jacobs-Rock, Johnnie Taylor)
• Benny Harrison - Backing Vox (Peter Criss, Richie Scarlet, Joe Lynn Turner, Melidian, Arcara, Citizens, Joe Bonamassa, Alexis P Suter Band)
• Mike Fuller - Masteting
• Spencer Drate - Art Direction
• Andrew Frances - Creative Coordinator
• Brian Zick - Cover Illustration
• Robert Burger - Back Illustration
• Michael Klefner - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the cover and back and band name screams pub rock & power pop with a penchant for 50's retro style. Get a real working man's small town americana vibe with the cover action in the front seat of a pink caddie with tiger print seats. The boxing glove keychain is a nice touch, standing for the Knockouts.

Album Review: The amount of harmonic power pop bands that lived through the 70's and 80's is astounding. So many bands wanted to be Foreigner or Bad Company or Boston. Their big claim to fame came after this record, around 1984, when they wrote & recorded "Hungry Eyes" and "(I've Had) The Time of My Life," both songs featured in Dirty Dancing, winning Franke an Acadamy Award. Also, Bon Jovi Drummer Tico Torres joined them for a bit after this album's release.

Stand Out Track: Never Had It Better

Links:
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wiki
discogs
broadway world
allmusic
facebook

Catholic Girls - s/t

Name: Catholic Girls
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Hard Rock, Powerpop
Similar Bands: Sleater-Kinney, Go-Go's, Girl School, Bangels
"One-Word" Review: catchy ground-breakingly tame pop
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: MCA

 Cover, Record, Liner Notes

Back, Record, Lyrics

Catholic Girls (1982)

1. Someone New 3:13 (single)
2. C'est Impossible 3:07
3. A Boy For Me 4:13
4. Where Did I go Wrong 2:35
5. Park Theater 2:49
6. You Let Me Down 3:02 /
7. Private School 2:54 (single)
8. Boys Can Cry 2:47 (single)
9. I Called You Up 3:27
10. God Made You For Me 8:57

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Gail Petersen - Writer, Lead Vox, Guitar, Synth (Double Cross)
• Evan Pace - Producer, Mixing
• Leon Tsilis - Exec. Producer, Mixing
• Kathe Schreyer - Art Direction, Cover Concept, Design
• George Osaki - Art Direction
• Aaron Rapoport - Photography
• Joanne Holland - Bass (Double Cross)
• Roxy Andersen - Backing Vox, Lead Guitar (Double Cross)
• Doreen Holmes - Drums (Double Cross, NJ Percussion Ensemble)
• Gary Skardina - Recording Engineer
• John Kovarek - Additional Synth Over Dubbing Engineer
• Robert Feist - Asst Engineer
• Jeff Silver - Asst Engineer
• Paul Jarvis - Asst Engineer
• Doug Sax - Mastering
• Mary Kay Stolz - Uniform Design
• Francine Moore - Stylist
• Connie Clark - Hair
• Natasha Ciura - Makeup
• Stewart Turner - Representation
• Steve Mitchell - Programming

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but saw it at a record flea market, and figured the content had to be good or at least interesting...80's bad girl vibe, but in a fashionable way, so assuming they will sound like a band Ex hex is trying to replicate.

Album Review: So they don't sound as heavy as I thought they would, kind of like a slightly heavier, rock version of the Go-Gos. The vocals have a fluttering like them, and like Corin Tucker (Sleater- Kinney). They were pioneers, even though that was not their intent, wearing catholic outfits and memorablia along side their genuine, non-offensive music. The original band only lasted a few years (broke up in 85) and had this one album, but they got to tour with legendary bands (Petty, Kinks, Ramones, Clash) and play legendary places. Although they were the first NJ all-girl band to get signed to a major label, they never connected or were promoted efficiently because it seemed the corporate rulers could not accept their "voice" before they ever heard it. SNL cancelled them based on potential backlash, and they were banned from Rhode Island based on one misinterpreted lyric in "God Made You For Me" that the church felt was calling god a woman. A new line up got back together in 2002 and have recorded a couple albums since.

Stand Out Track: You Let Me Down, C'est Impossible

Links:
Gail's Website
website
Spotify full album + bonus
Discogs
Allmusic
Gail's FB
Shutter 16
Rate Your Music
Aquarian
Punk Globe

Mike Batt - Zero Zero

Name: Mike Batt
Album: Zero Zero
Year: 1982
Style: Soundtrack, New Wave, Avant-Garde, Art Rock
Similar Bands: Styx, Cirque Du Soleil, John Williams, Split Enz
"One-Word" Review: Bonkers Futuristic Absurdist Live-Action Cartoon Rock Opera
Based Out Of: Southhampton, England
Label: CBS, Epic

 Cover, Record

Record, Back

Zero Zero (1982)

1. Introduction (The Birth of Number 17) 5:22
2. System 605 2:15
3. Love Makes You Crazy 3:36
4. Delirium 8:45/
5. Whispering Fool 4:28
6. Zero Zero 7:17
7. The Dance of the Neurosurgeons 3:50
8. No Lights in My Eyes 3:10
9. Love Makes You Cry (instrumental reprise) 3:00

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Mike Batt - Producer, Arrangement, Conductor, Vox, Percussion, Synth (Hapshash & the Coloured Coat, Wombles, Phase 4, Synthesonic Sounds, so much more)
• Tommy Emmanuel - Guitars, Bass (Australian Country Music Unites, Aus Olympians, Dragon, Hunter, Julian Lee Orch, Southern Star Band, Trailblazers, Love Junkie, Bushwackers, Jimmy Barnes, Maureen Elkner, Air Supply, Kevfin Somerville, Swanee, John Williamson, Goldrush, Doug Parkinson, Valentine)
• Rex Goh - Guitars (Air Supply, QED, Leon Berger, Simon Gallaher, DD Smash, Flaming Hands, Renee Geyer, Byrt Mallanyk, Dangerzone, Play School, Tony Williams, Armando Hurley, Robyne Dunn, Grace Knight, Marc Almond, Savage Garden, Wiggles, Eurogliders, Amy Pearson)
• Ian Bloxham - Timpani & Congas (Crossfire, Judy Bailey Orch, Julian Lee Orch, Kirk L Orange Orch., Southern Contemporary Rock Assembly, Kenny Powell Orch, Mell-O-Tones, Digby Richards, Patch, Digby Richards, John Sangster, Air Supply, Robyn Archer)
• Steve Hopes - Snare Drum (Crossfire, Julian Lee Orch, Renee Geyer, Expression, Delaney/Venn, Marcia Hines, Nev Nicholls, Jeff St. John, Edith Bliss, Philippe Gabbay, Reg Lindsay, Doug Parkinson, Sue Halford, Doug Mulray)
• Myra de Groot - Spoken Word
• Ron Ratcliff - Spoken Word
• Russ Lupalle - Medial Officer
• Wendy Batt - #36 Spoken Word
• John Bee - Principle Sound Engineer
• Glen Phinister - Sound Engineer
• Alan McClean - Sound Engineer
• Brendan Frost - Sound Engineer
• Richard Lush - Sound Engineer
• David Harvey - Sound Coordinator

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this, but it looks like something quite arty out of a New Order video or Klaus Nomi's head. Or just Split Enz. I'm guessing it is a future-fantasy inspired concept album,

Album Review: Zero Zero is a soundtrack to an "audio-video" piece set in an odd, checkerboard, antiseptic world that is trying to phase out love, however the protagonist (#17) finds that he can't help loving another (#36) and is sentenced to Zero Zero facility for his cleansing. It is bleak, and cold synth new wave, as the world he's created would suggest. The vocal songs are punctuated with a scoring of the follies and fumbles that the cast experiences could be described as bumbling cartoon synths. And at times, it sounds like bottom shelf Star Wars tribute.

 At a young age, Batt began recording & producing other acts , and scored countless soundtracks and tv themes (including the Animated Watership Down, and co-writing the title song to Phantom of the Opera). In 1980, he went on a boat ride with his family heading west from France around South America up to LA, then past Hawaii to Australia. On the final lag of the journey was when he was commissioned by Australia to write a piece for the Australian Broadcasting Corp's 50th anniversary, which aired on the UK in '82. His work includes working with many famous people, including Roger Daltrey, Art Garfunkle, Bonnie Tyler, Huey Lewis, and so many more. Of personal interest, he wrote the Orchestral sections for XTC songs "Green Man" and "I Can't Own Her."

Stand Out Track: Love Makes You Crazy

Links:
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Spittin' Image - s/t

Name: Spittin' Image
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave, Power Pop
Similar Bands: Pat Benatar, Scandal, Blondie, Robin Lane, Threshold, 10 Wheel Drive
"One-Word" Review: Rough and Tumble Alley Rock
Based Out Of: Columbus, Ohio
Label: MCA Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Spittin' Image (1982)

1. Hold Everything 3:40 (single)
2. Rock and Roll Boy 3:23
3. Let Me Stay 4:30
4. Life and Change 3:17
5. You're Gone 2:47 /
6. Grandview Girls 3:49
7. Boy's A Dancer 3:13 (single)
8. Gettaway 3:05
9. You'll Never Change 3:44
10. I'm Comin' Home 5:15

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Robin Jenney - Producer
• Sterling Smith - Associate Producer, Keys, Additional Arrangement (the Load, Randy Meisner, Conveniens, JD Blackfoot, Terry Reid, Beach Boys, Arthur Brown, Baron Stewart, Barry Manilow, Steve Perry, julie Brown, Bonnie Tyler, George Benson, Whitney Houston, Four Tops, Heart, Dennis Wilson, Kids of Widney High)
• Marty Pinchinson - Exec. Producer
• Morrie Herzog - Exec Producer
• Blair Forward - Bass (Kevin Costner & Modern West, Roving Boy, Man Alive, John Coinman)
• Edd Key - Rhythm Guitar, Backing Vox, Percussion, Keys (Shannon Stephens)
• Jim Lynch - Lead Guitar (The Squires)
• Mimi Rousseau - Lead Vox, Keys (Steady Fready)
• Chip Vivian - Drums, Backing Vox
• Frank Pierce - Drums, Backing Vox (Sally Fingerett, Charlie Bleak)
• Dangerous Dave Hessler - Bass (The Load, Esquires, Osiris, Danger Brothers, Beach Boys, Dennis Wilson, Brian Wilson)
• Charlie Bleak - Backing Vox (Hoi Polloi, Joe Waters, AOR)
• Craig Hull - Guitar (The Hate Boys, Wendy Waldman, Kim Carnes, Pam Tillis, Randy Meisner, Peter Cetera, Motels, Billy Thermal, Josh Leo, Bill Lamb, Joan Armatrading, Steve Perry, Julie Brown, Dwight Twilley, Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Barbara Streisand, Santana, Karla DeVito, Olivia Newton-John)
• Alligator Horn Section - Brass
• Frank Pierce - Additional Arrangement
• Dave Lyons - Horn Arrangement
• Kathe Schreyer - Art Direction & Design
• Chris Callis - Photography
• Margery Melton - Logo Design
• Rene Johnston - Mimi's Clothes
• Jeff Shoewalter - Road Crew Sound
• Bill Philput - Road Crew Stage Manager

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But based on the clothes, I imagine them to be a power pop gritty bar band trying to latch a little on the New Wave sound.

Album Review: This is the second of two records from the Columbus OH band that started playing in pubs and hoped for a career that never expanded beyond opening for bigger bands in the area. Singer Mimi was the main focus of the band, with strong vocals and a wardrobe popular of the time. Her vocals are reminiscent of popular 70's groups like Genya Ravan's of 10 Wheel Drive, and ranges from powerful to delicate for ballads. The music incorporated the rough and tumble back alley power pop, adding in keyboards to fit into the new wave movement with vocals that sound like Blondie on "Life & Change". And Gettaway sounds like it could be a Fleetwood Mac song.

Stand Out Track: Hold Everything, Life & Change

Links:
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Kent State Article 1980

Holme - Just a Matter of Time

Name: Holme
Album: Just A Matter of Time
Year: 1982
Style: Oldies New Wave
Similar Bands: Fumble, Darts, B. Willie Smith
"One-Word" Review: Oldies Cover Band with some New Wave instruments
Based Out Of: New Jersey
Label: Drive Records

 Cover & Record

Record & Back

Just A Matter of Time (1982)

1. Just A Matter of Time 3:45
2. Bye Bye 3:02
3. Lightning Strikes 3:54 (Lou Christie cover) / 
4. Weekend 2:42
5. Runaway 3:44 (Del Shannon Cover)
6. Parkway Boogie 3:41

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Kip Conner - Bass, Lead Vox, Exec Producer
• Billy Coleman - Guitar, Vox
• Dan Gralick - Keys Vox (Jim Croche, Southside Johnny)
• Joel Krauss - Guitar, Vox (Cats on a Smooth Surface, Jersey Artitsts for Mankind)
• Frank Sementa - Drums, Exec Producer
• Mark Mazur - Guitar, Vox, Producer (Mark Mazur & the Targets, Eric Gale, Winston Grennan, Kid Creole & Coconuts, B-52s, Coati Mundi, Elbow Bones & the Racketeers)
• Bobby Bandiera - Guitar (Cats on a Smooth Surface, Southside Johnny, Bon Jovi, Jersey Artists for Mankind, Rocking Chairs, Lisa Bouchelle, Cyndi Lauper, Gene Ryder)
• Jack Waldman - Synth (Gloria Gaynor, Joe Beck, Tornader, Robert Palmer, Niteflyte, Richie Havens, Klaus Nomi, Rachel Sweet, Billy Idol, Paul Haig, Jellybean, Ebn-Ozn, Foreigner, A-Ha, Madonna, Whitney Houston)
• Julian McBrowne - Percussion, Chief Engineer (Kid Creole & Coconuts)
• Louie Carfizzi - Vox
• Monica Whelan - Design
• John Rynski - Design
• Nancy Ritchings - Design
• Tom Coyne - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Holme, but I love the atomic age artwork on the front, and the added feature of the 50's style couple dancing makes me think that this might be an oldies throwback band. The back says Garden State Rock and Roll, so that could still be oldies style, and we know they're from Jersey.

Album Review: Guitarist Joel Krauss's daughter is the front women of the band Sleigh Bells. Their Garden State Parkway logo was approved by the NJ Highway Authority. The intro to the album is all synth and sets a New Wave tone not really duplicated on the rest of the record. "Lightning Strikes" is a favorite song in general (one of my Mom's favorites), and this version is interesting enough to be the stand out track. "Parkway Boogie" steals a little from "Green Onions," and then becomes a Blasters sorta track.

Stand Out Track: Lightning Strikes

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Philisteens - Turn Up The Music

Name: Philisteens
Album: Turn Up The Music
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Devo, Marshall Crenshaw, Buddy Holly, Knack, Cars, David Byrne
"One-Word" Review: That Nervous New-Wave Sound
Based Out Of: Albuquerque, NM
Label: Radio Free America Records

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Turn Up The Music (1982)

1. Turn Up the Music 3:43
2. She's Got You 3:30 / 
3. She Tells Me Nothing 3:55
4. Dead And Gone 5:04

Album Rating (1-10): 8.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Larry Otis - Guitar, Vox (Crawling Walls, High Inergy, Leiahdorus, Born Again)
• Mike Glover - Drums, Vox (Bright Blue Gorilla)
• Roger Neil - Bass, Vox, Synth Pedals (V.V.S.I)
• Kenneth A Pushkin - Exec Producer
• Craig Leon - Producer & Engineer
• Tom Bee - Coordinator

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but they look like the perfect slice of new Wave or power-pop-pub rock. Lots of energy in their frame, even for a black & white pic. And I like their logo.

Album Review: They live up to their design very well...perfect oldies incorporated new wave rock with nervous jittery vocals, and energetic music. "She Tells Me Nothing" sounds like Devo. They seem to have had a big following around the ABQ-NM area, and had one full length out aside from this EP.

Stand Out Track: Turn Up The Music

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Blue Boy - Superman

Name:Blue Boy
Album: Superman
Year: 1982
Style: Reggae, Calypso, Funk , Soca
Similar Bands: Mighty Sparrow, Pinchers & Pliers, Lord Shorty
"One-Word" Review: Funky Reggae Party Music
Based Out Of: Trinidad
Label: Charlie's Records, Charles

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Superman (1982)

1. Superman 6:54
2. Pan in the Air 4:42
3. Rebecca 5:57 / 
4. Swing 5:08
5. Party 6:39
6. Slavation 5:52

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Austin Lyons Blue Boy - Composition (Apple Stars Steel Orch., Explainer)
• Pelham Goddard - Arrangement & Conducted, Keys (Ed Watson & the Brass Circle, Mighty Kinger, Lord Shorty, Brother Mudada, Mighty Swallow, Mighty Sparrow)
• Rawlston Charles - Producer
• Colin Stephen - Congas Percussion (Pied Pipers, Charlie's Roots, David Rudder)
• Vernon Headley - Drums (Charlies Roots, Red Plastic bag, David Rudder, Swamp Dogg)
• Emanuel Ector - Bass (Swallow, Pan Assembly)
• Anthony Voison - Guitar (Charlies Roots,Tambu, David Rudder, Inspector, Arrow, Calypso Rose)
• Junior Wharwood - Guitar (Charlies Roots, Lord Shorty, Arrow, David Rudder, Explainer)
• Len Boogsia Sharpe - Pan (Monty Alexander's Ivory Steel, Lord Shorty, PM Dawn, Swamp Dogg, 
• Clyde Mitchell - 1st Trumpet (Ed Watson & The Brass Circle, Lord Shorty, Charlie's Roots, Arrow, Explainer, Black Stalin, Baron)
• David Pilgrim - 2nd Trumpet (Bunny Mack, Jewel Ackah, Harry Panday)
• Skel - Tenor Sax
• Jamesie - Trombone
• Akili Walker - Engineer
• Kevin Burke - Photographer
• Hollis King - Art Direction
• Jon Fausty - Engineer
• Charmaine Yates - Vox (Becket, Winston Soso)
• Glenda Ifill - Vox (Becket, Winston Soso, Black Stalin)
• Valerie Brewster - Vox (Melody, Brigo, Brother Resistance)
• Jenifer Pequerra - Vox

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Super Blueboy, but i love the cover of the artist in a Superman-Like outfit, flying in the sky, carrying a blue record. All hints on the back suggest this is Reggae / Calypso, so I have no reason to doubt it

Album Review: So on top of Calypso, there is a little funk & R&B element added into the production,. giving a little more dimension to the genre. Which is a genre all it's own called Soca, or Sokah, which is short for the Soul of Calypso, reinvigorating traditional Calypso with Funk, Soul, Jazz to make a new genre that kept Calypso relevant. Blue Boy/Superblue/Austin Lyons is an award winnng and groundbreaking musician that was the first winner & double winner of the Soca Monarch award, first calypso performer on Sesame Street and the first calypso performer at London's Wembley Convention Center in '91.

Stand Out Track: Pan in the Air

Links:
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Nowherefast - s/t

Name: Nowherefast
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop, New Wave, Hair Rock
Similar Bands: Def Leppard, Walkmen, Scorpions, Cheap Trick, Journey, Kansas, Thomas Dolby
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Hair Wave
Based Out Of: California
Label: Scotti Brothers, CBS Records

 Cover, Record

Back Record

Nowhere Fast (1982)

1. First Time 3:32
2. Sometimes I Wonder 7:08
3. Feeling Better 4:35
4. Strange Reason 3:39 /
5. Nowhere to Run 3:07
6. View Through a Tear 3:23
7. As I Am 4:26
8. No One With Nothing 3:36
9. Feelin' Like Loving You 3:47

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Jimmy Hansen - Drums, Percussion (Mark Hoffman & the Rabble, Dan Havens & the Missisippi Mudcats)
• Bob Fredrickson - Guitar, Bass, Vox (Robin Miller)
• Jeff Naideau - Keys, Guitars, Vox (Life by Night, House of Lords, Eyes)
• Steve Bock - Bass, Vox (Truth & Janey)
• Bill Walker - Exec Producer
• Sol Saffian - Exec. Producer
• Al Vaides - Exec Producer
• Mark Woldson - Engineer
• Jamey Dell - Engineer
• Tony Papa - Mixing
• Tom Drennon - Design
• John Exley - Photography
• Frank Gargani - 112 degrees Desert Rat-Pack Film Drew
• Peter Haskell - 112 degrees Desert Rat-Pack Film Drew
• Diane Duarte - Model
• Bill Nicholas - 365-GTB/4

Unknown-ness: Never heard of ths band, but the artwork reminds me of the Producers, so i assume it will be some sort of Powerpop. But the story laid out by the artwork of gearheads taking apart a model's car might project a little greasier, harder edge.

Album Review: With higher raspy Def Leppard like vocals, this hair power pop band puts out their melodic rock with an edge. They had 3 songs appear in an 1981 movie Prowler, with View Through a Tear being the only album track. The first track as an odd vocal melody- in a good way- that sounds like something from either Thomas Dolby or the Walkmen. A bit of that Walkmen sound is also on the second track's chorus.

Stand Out Track: First Time

Links:
Melodic Hard Rock
Memorable Musical Horror Performances #5
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Novo Combo - The Animation Generation

Name: Novo Combo
Album: The Animation Generation
Year: 1982
Style: Power Pop
Similar Bands: Police, Survivor, REO Speedwagon, Journey, ELO
"One-Word" Review: Whispy-Commercial-Ready-AOR
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Polydor, PolyGram Records

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

The Animation Generation (1982)

1. Animation Generation 5:32
2. Too Long Gone 3:51
3. Slow Fade 5:17
4. Keep Your Love Alive 3:28
5. Anyone Can See 4:10 /
6. Welcome Innervision 5:38
7. Chained Man 4:08
8. Follow the Love 3:53
9. She Runs 4:22
10. No Wonder 4:10

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Elliot Scheiner - Producer, Remix
• Stephen Dees - Vox, Bass (Hall & Oats, Tony Carey, Bandees, Pat Travers, Victor Wainwright)
• Pete Hewlett - Vox, Guirar (Billy Joel, Carly Simon, Joe Jackson, Julian Lennon, Amy Grant, Eric Carmen, Peter's Pipers, Sweet Lightning, Euclid Beach Band, The Hit Men)
• Carlos Rios - Guitar, Backing Vox (Gino Vannelli, Lionel Richie, Boz Scaggs, Herb Alpert)
• Michael Shrieve - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox (Santana, Abraxas Pool, Automatic Man, HSAS, Stomu Yamashta's Go)
• Sanford "Sandy" Ross - Personal Mgmt
• Glenn Orsher - Personal Mgmt
• Ted Jensen - Mastering
• Rob Mounsey - Synth Programming
• Wayne Yurgelun - Digital Doctor
• Bill Roach - Digital Doctor
• Larry Franke - Asst. Engineer
• Gregory Mann - Asst. Engineer
• Michael Morongell - Asst. Engineer
• Kevin Halpin - Asst. Engineer
• Cheryl Smith - Asst. Engineer
• Dean Janoff- Photography
• SchaefferBoehm - Art Direction
• Ronnie Cooke - Styling

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. Based on their name, I assume it is has an adult contemporary sound, with attention to genres that have specific dances, be it Cha-Cha, Foxtrot, Salsa, Mambo, etc. However, the artwork shows a group of four, slightly hipper guys that are trying to look cool, but come off as a bunch of parents trying on their kid's stylistic clothes. They are tapping into the popular-at-the-time idea of animation, but also the popularity of arcade games, further trying to adapt to a youthful culture. I imagine this to be some very light AM radio music trying to fit into a New Wave world.

Album Review: For having some musical greats...or at least folks that worked beside musical greats (Santana, Hall & Oats, Billy Joel, Joe Jackson) , this is a light forgettable album whispy and floating radio pop with nothing that seems challenging or deep. There are some lofty island jams, and musician's musician performances, so i can see why there was comparison to the police. Many of the songs are repetitive and irritating, basically good fodder for advertisements. There are not really any good tracks, but the title track at least has some fun dated lyrics about arcades and computers.

Stand Out Track: Animation Generation

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Hi Fi - Moods for Mallards

Name: Hi Fi
Album: Moods for Mallards
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave, Power-Pop
Similar Bands: San Cisco, Ian Matthews solo, Pavlov's Dog,
One-Word Review: Light, Blue Collar New Wave
Based Out Of: Seattle, WA
Label: First American / Emerald Isle

 Cover, Lyrics, Record

Back, Lyrics Record

Moods for Mallards

1. Walk Away 4:05
2. Blue Shirt 4:03
3. Holding Out For Rain 5:20
4. Throw A Line 3:50
5. S.O.S. 2:38 /
6. Knocking on Your Door 4:20
7. Desire 4:17
8. Time After Time 3:56
9. When You Were Mine 4:28
10. Alcohol 2:45

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Bob Briley - Drums (Carole Stirn)
• Garey Shelton - Bass, Backing Vox (Allies, Halyards, Jr Cadillac, Uncle Bonsai, Eric Tingstad, Life 9)
• Bruce Hazen -Guitar, Prophet V, Backing Vox (Life 9)
• Ian Matthews - Vox, Guitar, Producer (Fairpoint Convention, Hamilton Pool, Matthew's Southern Comfort, More Than A Song, Ian Ad Venture, Pyramid, Andy Roberts, Plainsong, Richard Thompson, Matinee Idols)
• David Surkamp - Vox, Guitar (Pavlov's Dog, Touch, St. Louis Hounds, Matinee Idols)
• Jackie Renn - Photos
• Art Chantry - Jacket Design
• Tim Killeen - Producer
• Joe Hadlock - Producer

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them, but it looks like a typical campy, silly new wave record; between the play on words of the Elvis Costello song Moods for Moderns, and the duck dance-step patterns on the cover. Hoping for a jittery, fun new wave record.

Album Review: The songs come off as a wolf in sheep's clothing so to speak, as the attempt was made to make catchy new wave, but most of the songs fall short of real new wave appeal. The band is promoted as a duo of Ian Matthews and David Surkamp, who both are famous for their history in other folk rock and prog bands. They cover Prince's When You Were Mine, and it sounds pretty true to the source, as it is designed to be a chugging power-pop song. Throw a line has the most to offer the new wave genre, with a driving melody, synth elements, falsetto vocals and a real catchy chorus, which could fit into modern band catalogues like San Cisco.

Stand Out Track: Throw A Line

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get ready to rock

Polyrock - Above the Fruited Plain

Name: Polyrock
Album Above the Fruited Plains (EP)
Year: 1982
Style: New Wave
Similar Bands: Simple Minds, Devo, Oingo Boingo, Haircut 100, the Fixx, A Flock of Seagulls, Phillip Glass, Martha & The Muffins, Pylon
One-Word Review: Cold Synthetic Emotions
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: PVC, Cachalot Records, Jem Records

 Cover, Record

Back, Record

Above the Fruited Plain (1982)

1. Working On My Love 4:40
2. Call of the Wild 5:50 /
3. Chains of Iron 4:26
4. Broken China 3:35
5. Indian Song 5:14

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Billy Robertson - Writer, Guitar, Vox, Producer (Model Citizens, 9 Ways to Sunday)
• Cathy Oblasney - Keys, Vox (9 Ways to Sunday)
• Lenny Aaron - Keys, Marimba
• Curt Cosentino - Keys
• Joey Yannece - Drums, Percussion
• Bobby Nathan - Engineer, Marimba
• Gavin Mulligan - Photos
• Robert Beizer - Electric Bass
• Brendan McCabe - Live Sound
• Mark Sosik - Live Sound
• Joanne Georgio - @ Sound Advice
• Eric Dufaure - @ Sound Advice
• Peter Leak - Mgmt
• Theresa Levy - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of them. But I like the color scheme of the name/logo/artwork. The simple empty space denotes a cold, efficient potential sound. The band photo shows them as cool, college age new wave kids.

Album Review: This is the final produced record from Polyrock, not produced by Phillip Glass as their debut full length was. It has a pulsating, cold, minimalist sound to it, with bright synthesizers (three keyboards assigned to three members). Comparisons to Brian Eno &  Talking Heads seemed to follow them while they were around, but don't necessary hold true for this release, as it is more synthetic Krautrock. A bit of the jittery keyboards/synth xylophone in "Call of the Wild" remind me of a typical Oingo Boingo bass line, and it is sung by Cathy Oblasney, which was still somewhat rare for the period of electro bands.

Stand Out Track: Working On My Love

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Post Punk Monk
Robertson Memorial Article Red Hook

Man Parrish - s/t

Name: Man Parrish
Album: s/t
Year: 1982
Style: Electronic, Hip-Hop, Pop, Dance
Similar Bands: Chromeo, Herbie Hancock, Harold Faltmeyer, Go! Team, Bruce Haack, M/A/R/R/S, Yellow Magic Orchaestra
One Word Review: Dance-Funk-for-Androids
Based Out Of: NYC, NY
Label: Importe/12

 Cover & Record

Back & Record

Man Parrish (1982)

1. Hip Hop Be Bop (Don't Stop) 5:36
2. In The Beginning 1:00
3. Man Made 5:01
4. Together Again 3:36
5. Hip Hop, Be Bop (Part 2) 3:11/
6. Six Simple Synthesizers 5:37
7. Techno Trax 4:12
8. Street Clap 2:11
9. Heatstroke 5:34

Album Rating (1-10): 9.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Raul A. Rodriguez - Producer
• Manuel Joseph "Man" Parrish - Producer, Vox, Keys
• Mark Berry - Engineer
• Herbie Powers - Mastering
• Jim Shelton - Plating
• Klaus Nomi - Additional Vox
• Cherry Vanilla (Kathleen Dorritie) - Additional Vox
• Michael Harron - Additional Vox
• Michael Rudetsky - Additional Vox (Culture Club, Boy George, Alisha, Hool & the Gang, Joan Jett, Aldo Nova, Stephanie Mills)
• Rain Sisters - Additional Vox
• John Robie - Additional Keys (Baker/Robie Project, Black Gold, Guru, Quadrant Six)
• Robbie Kilgore - Additional Keys (Beatmaster, Maz & Kilgore, Mick Jagger, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Cyndi Lauper)
• James McElwaine - Sax (JMJ Band, Skandalous All-Stars)
• Steve Kroon - Additional Percussion (Ron Carter Nonet)

Unknown-ness: Never heard of Man Parrish. I think i got this in a mix of a bunch of Calypso records, and because I am not familiar with the label, i believe it will be in a similar vein/ I do really like the simple line-analog VHS look of the logo and simple color scheme. I also appreciate the passive aggressive threat on the back "Home taping from disk or radio will not reproduce the full range of sound encoded on these quality pressings"

Album Review: Man Parrish is a blend of Hip Hop, Dance and Pop, through Synthesizers and moog effects, and was one of the founding pioneers in many genres that came after. The songs are fantastic for 1982, and there are so many genres the artist brings into the folds on nearly every song. I used to love a band called Gil Mantera's Party Dream, and the vocal digitizing sounds nearly the same. I cannot stress enough how great the song "Together Again" is, and how rewarding the hook's delivery feels. Hip Hop Bee Bop is actually a somewhat popular song, given play in Shaun of the Dead and Grand Theft Auto. The nickname Man was bestowed upon Manuel by none other than Andy Warhol, from their hangings out at Studio 54. He has worked with producing and mixing many artists from Boy George to the Village People.

Stand Out Track: Together Again 

Links:
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IMDB
website
discogs
Ransom Note
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Threshold - s/t

Name: Threshold

Album: s/t

Year: 1982

Style: New Wave

Similar Bands: Sue Saad, 1994, Pat Benatar, Blondie

One Word Review: Space Cop Drama

Based Out Of: LA, CA

Label: Penthouse Records

 Threshold - Cover, Record

Threshold - Back, Record

Threshold (1982)

1. Don't Burn Our Bridges 3:34
2. Night Flyer 3:35
3. 2000 Light Years 3:50
4. New Friend 3:05
5. American Dream 2:54/
6. Love Somebody 3:19
7. My Heart Can't Take It 2:40
8. One of These Days 3:10
9. Shelter 3:00
10. Believe In Me 3:47
11. Still Know How To Rock And Roll 3:00

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:
Tonina R. Biggs Andrews - Vox, Producer, Cover Design
Jeff Craig - Guitar (Caligula soundtrack)
Jim Jensen - Bass
Jim Horn - Sax (Duane Eddy, George's Band, Dynamite Horn Section, Kip Tyler & The Flips, The Ceyleib People, The Rebels, The Shelter People)
Doug Meador - Keys (Caligula soundtrack)
Steve Gardner - Drums
Palle Jensen - Cover Art
Richard Reese - Photography
Michael Farr - Photography
Jack Andrews - Engineer
Bob "Inky" Incorvaia - Engineer

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band. But from the image of outerspace, and an eye that looks  like the trapped villains in Superman 2, i'd imagine it is going to try and explore futuristic and space sounds. The image on the back of a make-up clad woman behind a large sequencer adds to the electronic possibility of the album. Although the imagery reminds me of a previous album I reviewed, Beaver Teeth, which was more southern-bluesy rock. Also of interest, the label appears to be Penthouse, like the magazine?

Album Review: Not much exists out there on the internets regarding this album and Tonina Biggs Andrews. She is the daughter of Penthouse founder Bob Guccione, and her two last names came from her two marriages to two different music engineers. She worked as producer as well as lead singer for this album and president of Penthouse Records as well. She still works in music to some degree, with her LA based company Tonina Music.

“Don't Burn Our Bridges” begins with a complimentary drum and bass groove, followed by a layer of chugging guitar. The vocals are trying to be strong and aggressive, and sound similar to a Pat Benatar song. The chorus is a little slinky with a sly swagger. It is really just two solid sections strung together in repetition. Not outstanding or noteworthy, but strong.

“Night Flyer” was a single. It starts with a jangly guitar, reminiscent of Edgar Winter Group, with overlays of disco synth. The vocals are a little theatrical, not quite straightforward singing. By the time it hits the chorus, it is obvious that it is emulating the dead disco scene.

“2000 Light Years” is a Rolling Stones cover. It quietly begins with electronic knob twitters, and a mystical, psych moog melody. Her voice is soft, and sensual. The guitars remind me of Of Montreal. It delicately builds but in no discernable direction or with any goal. It is comfortable in its mid-propulsion state. The instrumental break down is brief, but feels like it is about to realign and go off in a new direction before the verse pulls it back in.

“New Friend” pulses in the beginning with a quick metronome bass beat. Power-pop guitars begin, creating a nervous, but bold, building verse. The chorus does not capitalize on the building; rather, it takes an anesthetized, monotone trajectory. After two cycles, an instrumental section hints at energy, using a sax as a guide.

“American Dream” begins like Eye of the Tiger; a potentially motivational, diving march thanks to the bass and drum tempo and punchy guitar chords. The vocals are a little gruff and aggressive. It ends with a cathartic “Yeah.”

“Love Somebody” was also released as a single. There is a bluesy guitar hook to begin the song. The song breaks time signature as it moves from driving verse, to a slowed up bridge, into a faster, disco-ish chorus. The instrumental section begins with a rolling synth and then prog-like guitar wailing.

“My Heart Can't Take It” was the B-Side to “Night Flyer.” It begins with a driving drum, and adds swirling synth and upbeat techno melody. It builds nicely, with a sturdy balance of singing and emotion. The tempo change and breakdown after the chorus and before the instrumental break is a nice adaption of the ground laid melody, and it transitions well back into the familiar melodic territory. It ends very abruptly; jarringly so.

“One of These Days” is a bluesy, sax heavy, back-alley / late night cop drama track. The song tries to maintain its head above water, with the vocal melody not quite matching up with a stripped down guitar-bass verse: It’s jazz that way. The song never quite finds a grip and just seems to exist without any contribution to the album.

“Shelter” sounds a little like the Pretenders with an upbeat guitars melody. It is a fun, with a surf/steel drum guitar sound, and a driving song. Unfortunately her vocals fall incredibly flat in the verse, feeling uninspired and detached from the musical emotion. The chorus on the other hand, with a layered and harmonized backing vocal feels much more inspired, and offers penance for the rest. The second verse finds added incentive, but the song could be great with a stronger set of vocals. The song ends with a chorus shifted an octave up.

“Believe In Me” is a sunrising song, hopeful and optimistic, as its namesake suggests. The chorus is a ballad of crooning, mixed with some ELO synth. It is a slow dance song, almost a lighter-up, monster ballad. On occasion, at the start of her vocal lines, her voice will squeal, which I’m not sure is intended.

“Still Know How To Rock And Roll” is like a futuristic Joan Jett song, with waves of synth over top a confidently sung verse. The bridge owes a lot to classic, oldies structured pop music. They went all out on the moog/synth effects in the instrumental breakdown, showcasing it prominently. The song builds nicely, and delivers with a satisfying downward refrain of the title. And that musical accompaniment ends the song.

Stand Out Track: My Heart Can't Take It

Links:
Discogs
NY Mag Showbiz Notes 1983
Bloomberg