Winans, The - Decisions

Name: The Winans    
Album: Decisions
Year: 1987
Style: Gospel, Smooth RnB
Similar Bands: Dixie Hummingbirds, Gerald Levert, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross, George Benson
"One-Word" Review: sleek synth spirituals
Based Out Of: Detroit MI
Label: Qwest Records, Warner Bros. / Communications

Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Decisions (1987)

1. Ain't No Need to Worry 5:43
2. Millions 4:19
3. Breaking of Day 4:43
4. What Can I Say? 4:41 /
5. Right, Left in a Wrong World 6:08
6. The Real Meaning of Christmas 4:40
7. Love Has No Color 4:13
8. Give Me You 4:46
9. How Can You Live Without Christ 4:23

Album Rating (1-10): 2.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Marvin Winans - Writer, Producer, Percussion (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Perfect Praise Choir, Andrae Crouch, Maria Muldaur, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, George Duke, Tim Bowman, Anita Baker, Kirk Franklin, Lavine Hudson, Mervyn Warren, )
• Carvin Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Gospel Buggy Choir, Andrae Crouch, Keith Green, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Annita Baker)
• Michael Winans - Co-Producer, Writer (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Anita Baker)
• Ronald Winans - Co Producer, Writer  (Testimonial Singers, Stevie Wonder, Kenny G, R.Kelly, Wayman Tisdale, Lalah Hathaway, Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Loggins, Andrae Crouch, Kellie Copeland, Scott Johnson, Michael Jackson, Lavine Hudson, Kelli Williams, Anita Baker, Sounds of Blackness)
• Barry Hankerson - Co & Executive Producer, Writer, MGMT, Percussion (Rob Milner)
• Quincy Jones - Executive Producer
• Benny Medina - Executive Producer
• Anita Baker - Vox (Chapter 8, Melba Moore, Howard Hewett, Stevie Wonder, Cyrus Chestnut, Frank Sinatra, Marek Niedzwiecki, Dave Koz, Aaron Robinson, Andreus)
• Michael McDonald - Vox (All Star Choir, Artists United for Nature, Del-Rays, Doobie Brothers, The Guild, NY Rock 'n Soul Review, Steely Dan, Guy Finley, Carly Simon,  Jack Jones, Paul Williams, Tommy James, Little Feat, Bonnie Raitt, Craig Fuller, Eric Kaz, Dirt Band, Stephen Bishop, Gary Wright, Rita Coolidge, Kenny Loggins, Elton John, Christopher Cross, Donna Summer, Helen Redy, Paul Anka, Diana Ross, Joni Mitchell, Toto, Sergio Mendes, El DeBarge, Patti LaBelle, Wang Chung, Alan Silvestri, Aretha Franklin, Pointer Sisters, Dave Matthews Band, Vince Gill, John Tesh, Edwin McCain, Boz Scaggs, Kenny Rogers, many)
• Percy Bady - Writer
• Karen Jones - Project Coordinator
• Laythan Armour - Keys, Drums & Synth Programming (Hinton Battle, Chico DeBarge, Will Downing, La Rue, Jeremy Jordan, Alison Limerick, Frankie Knuckles, Tavares, Bobby Bland, Mystic Merlin, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Alberto Fortis, Alfie, Durell Coleman, Dynasty, Stop the Madness, Vesta Williams, Sherrick, Imagination, NJ Mass Choir, Herb Alpert, Joan Baez, Magic Lady, Beau Williams, LA Mass Chour, Bert Robinson, Cassandra, Yours Truly, Vanessa Williams, Classixx)
• Wayne Linsey - Keys (Maze, Frankie Beverly, Tonight Show Band, Linseym, Bobby Thurston, Starpoint, Enchantment, Lenny Williams, Emotions, Stanley Clarke, Bobby Womack, George Howard, Garry Glenn, Ray Parker Jr, Paul Jackson Jr, Brenda Russell, Mighty Clouds of Joy, By All Means, Nancy Wilson, Jackie Jackson, James JT Taylor, Jacksons, Paul Jackson, Whitney Houston, Marva Hicks, Patti Austin, Andrew Logan, Gene Rice, Nona Gaye, Gerald Alston, John Pagano, Norman Brown, James Ingram, Phil Perry, Terence Trent D'Arby, Dean James, Harbvey Mason, Doc Powell, Brigette McWilliams, Babyface, Arnold McCuller, Gary Taylor, Donnie, Frank McComb, David Nathan, Trina Broussard, Gerald Albright, Impromp2, Traincha, Lynne Fiddmont, Dwayne Smitty Smith, Smokey Robinson, Miles Davis, Leon Ware, Jermaine Lockhart)
• Harlan Rogers - Keys (Koinonia Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Andrae Crouch, Reba, maria Muldaur, Gordon Lightfoot, Johnny Rivers, Maranatha Singers, Katinas,  more)
• Thomas A Whitfield - Keys (James Cleveland, Craig Bros, Gospel Soul Children, Mel Carter, Edwin Hawkins, Beverly Glenn, Howard Lemon Singers, James Cleveland, Voices of Tabernacle, Keith Pringle, Gospel Soul Children of NOLA, Aretha Franklin, Vanessa Bell Armstrong)
• Loris Holland - Keys (Mel Carter, Patti Labelle, Celine Dion, R.Kelly, Millie Jackson, Mariah Carey, Jeff Buckley, Lauryn Hill, Whitney Houston, Santana, Mary J Blige, Smokey Robinson, more)
• John Bokowski - Keys (Teena Marie, Rick Dees, Charlene, Four Tops, KoKo PoP, Rockwell, Bobby Womack, Teen Dream, Chill Factor, Tracie Spencer, Angela Bofill, Pointer Sisters, Paul Jackson Jr, Club Nouveau, Helen Baylor, Louis Price, Power of Seven, Rodney Mannsfield, For Lovers Only, Donnie McClurkin, Phyllis St James)
• Michael Rochelle - Keys, Synth (Gift of Dreams, The GT's, Buddy Montgomery, Rudy Copeland, Kristine, Natalie Cole, West Coast Crew, Michael Jackson, Magic Lady)
• Dean Parks - Guitar (Johnny Rivers, LA Boogie Band, Karizma, Koinonia, Patrick Williams,Ray Conniff, Lyle Lovett, Madeleine Peyroux, North TX Lab Bands, Helen Reddy, Sonny & Cher, David Cassidy, Wayne Newton, Vicki Carr, Partridge Family, T-Bone Walker, Billy Joel, Garfunkel, Donald Byrd, Righteous Bros, Stevie Wonder, Steely Dan, Neil Sedaka, Glen Campbell, Lulu, Rita Coolidge, Tavares, lots)
• Hadley Hockensmith - Guitar (Koinonia, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Big John Hall, Pam Thum, Bruce Hibbard, Kelly Willard, Andreae Crouch, Arlo Guthrie, Reba, Imperials, Barbara Mandrell, America, Gordon Lightfoot, Neil Diamond, more)
• Abraham Laboriel - Bass (Los Traviesos, Johnny Mathis, Gary Burton, Michel legrand, Ella Fitzgerald, 3prime, Friendship, Henry Mancini, Koionia, Los Profetas, Open Hands, Jazz Ministry, Akira Jimbo, Leo Sayer, Al Jarreau, Pointer Sisters, Commander Cody, Stephen Bishop, Grimaldi/Zeiher, Barbara Streisand, Captain & Tennille, Dolly Parton, Stan Getz, Tom Jones, Leonard Cohen, Peter Allen, Herb Alpert, Jimmy Cliff, Barry Manilow, Debby Boone, George Benson, Lionel Richie, Chaka Khan, Kenny Rogers, Quincy Jones more)
• Andrew Gouche - Bass (NPG-Q, Andrae Crouch, Michael Jackson, Julio Iglesias, Pattie Howard, David Foster, Moments of Faith, James Cleveland, S.Cali Comm. Choir, Voices of Cornerstone, Mighty Clouds of Joy, Gangs Back, LaQuint, Aguilar, Cheryl Lynn, Michael Trammell & Blest, Edwin Hawkins, LA Gospel Messengers, Sandra Crouch, NJ Mass Choir, Tramaine Hawkins, Philip Bailey, Crystal Lewis, 32Phreeze, Beau Williams, Debbie McClendon, Melba Moore, Louis Price,  Lonnie Morgan, Andre David Brooks, Arvis Strickling Jones, PH Factor, Randy Crawford, Coolio, Five Star, Montell Jordan, Paul Russon, Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Michael Ruff, Mary mary, TQ, Warren G, Ann Nesby, Smokey Robinson, Ruben Studdard, Patti Labelle, Heather Headley, Chaka Khan, Snoop Dogg, Jackie Gouche, Keb Mo, Dorian Holley, Quincy Jones, Kurupt, Lowell Pye, Terrance Martin, Aretha Franklin, Bridgette Bryant, Murs, Prince, Judith Hill, Mano Brown, Bottom 40, Mike Phillips, Carole Simmons)
• Lanar Brantley - Bass (James Cleveland, Vernard Johnson, Clark Sisters, Linda, Keith Pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Gospel Sould Children of NOLA, Royce Javan, Minister Thomas A Whitfield, Aretha Franklin, Clark Sisters, Lavine Hudson, Rev. Charles Nicks Jr, Truthettes, Bert Robinson, Eddie Murphy, Jade, LL Cool J, Karen Clark-Sheard, Will Smith, Boys Choir of Harlem)
• Dean Gant - Bass (Don Kinsey, Chosen Ones, Invisible Man's Band, Stargard, Linda Clifford, Spinners, Stephanie Mills, Larry Graham, Jones Girls, Madonna, Keni Burke, Anita Baker, Outkast, Peabo Bryson, Sunfire more)
• Bill Maxwell - Drums (Andrae Crouch, Koinonia, Open Hands, Sonlight, 3rd Ave Blues Band, Elton John, Leon Russell, Melody Gardot, Barbara Mandrell, Maria Muldaur, Qunicy Jones, Alpha Band, Phil Driscoll, T-Bone Burnett, more)
• Greg Phillingame - Synth Programming (Steve Vai, Toto, Quincy Jones, Donna Summer, Lionel Richie, Eric Clapton, Ray Parker Jr, Neil Diamond, Denise Williams, Kenny Koggins, Patti Austin, George Harrison, Richie Sambora, Rickie Lee Jones, Boz Scaggs, Rod Stewart, Isley Bros, Santana, David Gilmour, Stevie Wonder many)
• Justo Almario - Horn (Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Open Hands, Koinonia, Roy Ayers, Ubiquity, Tolu, Mongo Santamaria, Peabo Bryson, Linda Ronstadt, Engelbert, Placido Domingo more)
• Alex Acuna - Percussion ( Weather Report, Perez Prado, Elvis Presley, Diana Ross, Paul McCartney, Joni Mitchell, Ella Fitzgerald, Chick Corea, Whitney Houston, Placido Domingo, Herbie Hancock, Carlos Santana, Antonio Carlos Jobmin, Beck, Roberta Flack, Al Jarreau, Acuna-Hoff-Mathisen Trio, Birds of a Feather, Bob Mintzer, Bobby Lye, Caldera, Clare Fischer's Latin Sound, Friendship, GRP All Star Big Band, Jazz on the Latin Side Allstars, Koinonia, Los Hijos del Sol, Session II, Blues Caravan, Tia Dia, Tolu, Toon Roos Group, many)
• Ollie Brown - Percussion, Linn Drum (Raydio, Ollie & Jerry, Ollie Baba, Blackbyrds, Ray Parker Jr, Fire Fox, James Ingram, Tahiti, Tracie Spencer, Paul Jackson Jr, Stevie Wonder, Joe Cocker, Bill Cosby, Temptations, Rolling Stones, Eric Carmen, Van Morrison, Billy Preston, Diana Ross, Grease (sndtk), Deniece Williams , Sly & Family Stone, Moulin Rouge, Commodores, Jermaine Jackson, LaToya Jackson, Blondie Pointer Sisters, Quincy Jones, Kenny Rogers, Village People, Gloria Gaynor, DeBarge, Wilson Pickett, Michael Jackson, more)
• Melvyn Williams - Additional Vox (Williams Bros, Verlin Sandles, Gospel Concerto, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, Anita Baker, Regina Belle, United Inspirational Quire of Columbus OH, Jackson Southernaires, Truthettes, Leomia Boyd, Friends, Gospel Miracles, Sammy Stevens & the Ephesians, Ralph Favors)
• Doug Williams - Additional Vox (Paradise, Williams Bros, Johnnie Taylor, Latimore, Mississippi Mass Choir, New Frontiers, Yolanda Adams, Anita Baker, Gospel Miracles, Jackson Southernaires)
• Kevin Session - Backing Vox 
• Kevin Jackson - Backing Vox (Andy Stokes, Marcell Russell, BeBe & CeCe)
• Victor Adams - Backing Vox (Active Force, Bobby Barth, EZB & DJ Los)
• Celeste McKinney - Backing Vox
• Jerome Earl Wright - Backing Vox (Andrew Wartts, Gospel Storytellers, Thomas Whitfield, NOLA Gospel Soul Children, Keith pringle, Vanessa Bell Armstrong, Commissioned, Aretha Franklin, Witness, Angelo & Veronica, Randy Crawford)
• Dwayne Whitehead - Backing Vox (The MOB)
• Debra Renee Winans - Backing Vox (BeBe-CeCe-Vickie-Ron-Daniel Winans, Tim Miner, Melba Moore, Carman, Bobby Brown)
• Regina Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members)
• Angelique Winans - Backing Vox  (various Winans, Tim Miner, Lavine Hudson, Melba Moore, Bobby Brown, Kelli Williams, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Darwin hobbs, Michelle Williams, TD Jakes)
• Benjamin BeBe Winans - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, PTL Club, BeBe & CeCe, 3 Winans Bros, Artists (United) for Haiti, Tammy Faye Bakker, Howard & Vestal, Melba Moore, Whitney Houston, Bobby Brown, Gladys Knight, Anastacia, Sam Moore, Dionne Warwick, Chicago, Louie Vega, more)
• Deborah Winans - Backing Vox (various Winans members, Tim Miner. Lavine Hudson, Margaret Becker, Mark Lowry, Carman, Margaret Bell, IDOL King, Donnie McClurkin, Yolanda Adams)
• Fred Hammond - Backing Vox (Andrae Crouch, Commissioned, Brian McKnight, Ruben Studdard,  more)
• Mario Winans - Child Vox (The Hitmen, Puff Daddy, Lil Kim, Jennifer Lopez, Ginuwine, R. Kelly, 98 Degrees, Limp Bizkit, Faith Evans, Whitney Houston, Beyonce, Mary J Blige, Keyshia Cole, Jay-Z, more)
• Marvin "Coconut" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Erica Campbell, Vickie Winans)
• Michael "Baby Mike" Winans Jr - Child Vox (P. Diddy)
• LaShay Winans - Child Vox (Danity Kane, P.Diddy)
• Carvin "Bronco" Winans Jr - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Juan Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir, Michelle Williams, Michael Bolton)
• Joy Winans - Child Vox (Kim Fields, Gospel Buggy Choir)
• Steve King - Engineer
• Barney Perkins - Engineer, Mixing
• Craig Bervage - Engineer
• Win Kutz - Engineer
• Peter Hadon - Engineer
• Mary Ann Dibs - Art Direction
• Russell Comfort - Photos

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. At first, when i bought the record, i thought it would be a new age sort of album: abstract/fossil art & the band name font suggested as much. But the band image on the back and sleeve, prompted me to change my guess to Smooth Jazz...1987 was a solid year for both genres. But since the band consists of family members with Winans as the last name, and songs like Real Meaning of Xmas & How Can You Live Without Christ, i now believe this will be some sort of christian cult gospel band with smooth jazz leanings.

Album Review: Smooth RnB spirituals starts from the first track, with vocals layered over each other, and what sounds to be all synth production. I can automatically tell, this is not an album for me, and had to turn it off before the last song finished. I know Anita Baker is on the first (Grammy winning, top 20 R&B charting) track, "Ain't No Need to Worry," and it was weird hearing Michael McDonald on "Love Has No Color."

The band / family (10 siblings) has kept their religious beliefs close to their hearts, with most surviving members still preaching or recording gospel records. All this despite a strict upbringing of no music (other than gospel) or theater/movies/TV. They've won grammys and one sibling, not on this record, CeCe (Pricilla) is the #1 selling gospel artist of all time. This is the fifth of their records and it reached #1 on the Gospel Album Chart (Billboard), and they are revered for updating gospel's sound by mixing in Soul & RnB.

Stand Out Track:

Links:
Wiki

Family Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic
Detroit Free Press: Winans family member on Songland May'20

Michael W. Jr Jailtime
Encyclopedia . com
NY Times Father passing 2009

Grove Music Online
BeBe website
DT Free Press: Covid + Winans

Winans Online

Surf MC's - Surf of Die

Name: Surf MC's
Album: Surf of Die
Year: 1987
Style: Hip Hop/Rap-Rock
Similar Bands: Beastie Boys, Run DMC, MC Hammer
"One-Word" Review: Embarrassing Surf Centric Rhymers
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Profile

Cover & Record

Back & Record

Surf or Die (1987)

1. Surf or Die 5:15 (single)
2. Gotta Get Air 4:45
3. Big Wednesday 4:44
4. Rock That Beach 4:50/
5. That's Cali For Ya 4:09
6. Ths Surf is Live 3:13
7. Boomin' It 4:26
8. Can't Get a Tan 3:22
9. You Will Be Served 3:46

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Paul "Sidewalk" Rodriguez
• Ivan "MC IVE" Mumm
• Tony "Kool G" Gilmour
• Phil Kettner (Laaz Rockit)
• Norman Kerner - Producer, Mixing, Surf Guitar (Paul Collins, The Grassy Knoll, Suzanne Little, Tara MacLean)
• Scott Roberts - Co-Producer, Backing Vox (Bill Summers, Con Funk Shun, Kevin Toney, Pete Escovedo, Wayne Shorter, Zero, Charlie Hunter, 3X Krazy, Demolition Men, Headhunters)
• Carl Herlofsson - Engineer, Mixing
• Jacob Hellner - Co-Engineer, Mixing
• Howie Weinberg - Mastering
• Tom Sherry - Brilliant Crew Cheif
• Mark Holzinger - Surf Guitar (Steve Carr, brent Brace, Groove.Org, Victoria Blyth)
• Tierney Muscatelli - Surf Guitar
• M Bomb - Surf Guitar, Sax
• Chris Atchison - Rock Guitar, Backing Vox (Ruffians)
• E-Rock - Bass
• Joel Smith - Bass
• "King James" Cassimus - Photos
• Paul Randolph Haven - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I'm guessing their name says it all: Hip Hop MCs that love to surf. I guess it could be really ok or really bad. It's probably terrible.

Album Review: The album is quite embarrassing, like a lower, bottom shelf Beastie Boys. Their songs are about catching air, scoping girls out on the beach, not getting a tan, Wednesdays, and one classic line about one man's "monster in his shorts, stood up like a sword" when seeing a huge wave. The beats are simple, the guitars and bass are minimal, and the vocals follow a pre-set Beastie Boys template of styles and pitches. At the very least, the music will employ elements of surf rock, perhaps most obviously in This Surf's Live. But I wouldn't say they are like the Ventures, the Raybeats or Man or Astroman? at all. Also the single, Surf of Die (reached #90), uses samples from The Peter Gunn Theme and Sugar Hill Gang's Apache amongst others. They also sample the B-52's, and were in the right place at the right time to open shows for the Red Hot Chili Peppers with Faith No More.

Stand Out Track: This Surf's Live

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Rate Your Music

Who Sampled

rare and obscure music

Rare Air - Hard to Beat

Name: Rare Air
Album: Hard to Beat
Year: 1987
Style: Celtic Bagpipe Instrumentals, Smooth Jazz
Similar Bands: Cheiftans, Enya, Celtic Thunder, 
"One-Word" Review: Windswept Irish Countryside
Based Out Of: Toronto, Canada
Label: Green Linnet Records

Cover, Liner Notes, Record

Back, Liner Notes, Record

Hard to Beat (1987)

1. Tribal Rites 2:24
2. Taxi Suite 6:10
3. Inside Out 7:08
4. Small as Life 5:36 /
5. Marvin's March (For Marvin Gaye) 2:42
6. The Waiting Room 5:38
7. Dee Dee Diddley Bop 4:23
8. Onward Blindly Onward 4:03
9. Beam Me up 4:05

Album Rating (1-10): 4.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Dave Hillier - Recording, Mixing, Producer, Drum Program
• Ellison Robertson - Cover Painting
• Michael Foster - Cover Photos
• Karl Martens - Cover Design & Layout
• George Balderose - Artistic Manager
• Pat O'Gorman - Highland Bagpipes, 'D' Flute, Biniou-koz, 'Eb' Flute, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Chalk Circle, Mychael Danna, Casadh An Tsugain, Howard Baer, )
• Grier Coppins - Synth, Highland Bagpipes, Bombarde, Whistle, Bagpipes (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Bernie Martin, Muchael Danna, Jaron Freeman-Fox, Al Tuck)
• Dick Murai - Guitar, Bass, Drum Program, Bells, Vega Tenor Lute (Na Cabarfeidh)
• Trevor Ferrier - Roto Toms, Brass Drum, Percussion, Clay Drums, Bells, Shakere, Snare Drums, Tabla, Long Drums (City of Toronto Pipe Band, Na Cabarfeidh, Jane Siberry, Pat Kilbride, Kalimba Kalimba, David Essig, Njacko Backo)
• 'Truck Croteau - Bouzouki
• Tom Coyne - Mastering

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but the packaging is odd, as you flip the record over, not from right to left to correctly view the back. From the cover art work, and the ransom letter font on the side A Front, and the multicultural + bagpipe cover on the back, i want to believe this is some interesting indie punk, but i believe it will be more college radio, jangley rock, based on the year. 

Album Review: This is straight up instrumental, bagpipe heavy jazzy soundscapes. There is a little Asian influence and some middle eastern theme in the music too, so it does not always just carry a Celtic feel. On this record Marvin's March & Dee Dee... are both homages to African American culture. Most of the songs feel like jigs and ceremonial songs. The instrumentation is mostly performed on old world devices. They continued to divert to alternate directions, and after this album and the departure of two members, they headed into the direction of Jazz Fusion.

Stand Out Track: Onward Blindly Onward

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

compass records

amoeba music

Chicago Tribune 1990 article

Other Ones (the) - s/t

Name: The Other Ones
Album: s/t
Year: 1987
Style: Light Rock, Pop
Similar Bands: Sonic the Hedgehog sndtk, Thomas Dolby, Eurogliders, a-ha, Howard Jones, Eurythmics, ABC, Spandau Ballet, Animotion
"One-Word" Review: Overproduced 1-D pop
Based Out Of: Berlin, Germany
Label: Virgin, WEA, Atlantic

Cover, Record

Record, Back

The Other Ones (1987)

1. Holiday 3:32 (single)
2. Stay With Me (It's Not Forever) 3:28
3. We Are What We Are 4:25 (single)
4. Losing It 2:59
5. Moments 5:06 (single b-side) /
6. He's A Man 3:43
7. All That Love 3:15 (single)
8. All Day, All Night 5:07
9. It Makes Me Higher 3:38 (b-side single)
10. Stranger 3:47 (single)

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Christopher Neil - Producer
• Simon Hurrel - Engineer
• Alf Klimek - Lead Vox (You Pretty Thing, Spliff, Alphaville, Klaus Baumagrt)
• Johnny Klimek - Bass (You Pretty Thing, Reinhold Heil, 030, Babyloon, Clemek, Effective Force, Holy Language, Pale 3, System 01, Nina Hagen Band, Franka Potente, Tykwer, Matador, Alphaville, Sir Simon Rattle)
• Uwe Hoffmann - Drums (Ca Lingo, King Kong, La Loora, Rockin' G & the G-Letters, White Russia, Zebra Zebra, Die Arzte, Silly, Nina Schultz, Wire, Wiglaf Droste & Bela B, Terrorgruppe, the Twins)
• Stephan Gottwald - Keys (Albert & the Heart of Gold, Zebra Zebra, Marian Gold, D Base 5, Spiro, Bobo in White Wooden Houses, Alphaville, 
• Andreas Schwarz-Ruszczynski - Guitar (Alphaville, Marian Gold, You Pretty Thing, Boy George, Trevor Horn, Klaus Schulze, Pet Shop Boys, Steve Lipson, Julian Mendelsen, Jack White, UKW, Albert & The Heart of Gold, Martin de Vries, Atlantic Popes, Andreas Feidbaumer)
• Jayney Klimex - Lead Vox (Alphaville, Marian, Bankstatement, Tony Banks, Tangerine Dream, Paul van Dyk, XII Alfonso, Terranova, You Pretty Thing, System 01, Simon Bonney, Johnny Logan, Atlantic Popes, Anita Lane, Xaver Von Treyer)
• Greg Fulginiti - Mastering
• Mike Schmidt - Cover
• Dieter Eikelpoth - Photos
• Margo Chase - Logo

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Their outfits (over-sized jackets with broad shoulders and fluffy mullets) scream mid-80's renaissance/jazz, and i'm getting a Shriekback vibe from the black & white photo. So i imagine this to be some weird overproduced chamber pop music or something.

Album Review: So the album is in fact quite overproduced in an ultra smooth synth way, but the record is very listenable compared to much of this era. It has enough catchy and lively song melodies buried beneath the extraneous guitar solos and synth sounds that don't quite sound like any instrument they are intending to mimic. The band consists of 3 Australian siblings and three German musicians who met after the Aussie family moved to Berlin in search of a European music break. They only have 2 albums and their big hit Holiday reached 29 on the US Billboard hot 100. Internationally, it was 22 in Switzerland, 13 in Austria, 10 in New Zealand and 4 in Germany. Johnny has made a career working in film and tv soundtrack composing, amassing credits for Run Lola Run, Cloud Atlas, Sense8, Deadwood, One Hour Photo, and Land of the Dead.

Stand Out Track: It Makes Me Higher

Links:

Spotify full album
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

forever young 80s

tampa bay lost & found

Cosmic Meadows

Microdisney - Crooked Mile

Name: Microdisney
Album: Crooked Mile
Year: 1987
Style: Jangle Pop, Light Rock
Similar Bands: XTC, ABC, Loud Family, Aztec Camera
"One-Word" Review: Melodic Overproduced Hookey Pop
Based Out Of: Cork, Ireland
Label: Virgin, Atlantic

Cover, Record

Record, Back

Crooked Mile (1987)

1. Town to Town 3:19 (single)
2. Angels 3:41
3. Our Children 4:33
4. Mrs. Simpson 3:54
5. Hey Hey Sam 4:19
6. Give Me All Your Clothes 4:02 /
7. Armadillo man 3:04
8. Bullwhip Road 3:37
9. And He Descended Into Hell 3:46
10. Rack 4:29
11. Big Sleeping House 3:03
12. People Just Want to Dream 5:17

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Cathal Coughland - Writer, Lead Vox, Grapefruit Segment Keyboard, Flexatone (Fatima Mansions, Bubonique, North Sea Scrolls, Martin Stephenson, Dave Couse, Francois Ribac, Eva Schwabe, Ruefrex, Christopher Young, Avalanche, Luke Haines, Eileen Gogan & the Instructions)
• Sean O'Hagan - Writer, Guitar, Harmonica, Backing Vox (High Llamas, Stereolab, Damian O'Neill & the Monotones, Turn On, Palace Songs, Laila Amezian, Cornelius, Kev Hopper, Young Fresh Fellows, Minus 5, Bonnie Pink, Heavy Blinkers, Alexander Von Mehren, House of Hiss, Jean-Emmanuel Delux & Friends, House of Love, Edith Frost, Laila Amezian, Piero Umiliani, Schneider TM, Saint Etienne, Aluminum Group, Dondre lerche, Kahimi Karie, Kev Hopper, Pluramon, Oddtoot, Super Furry Animals, the Coral more  )
• Tom Fenner - Drums, Percussion, Backing Vox (High Llamas, Tom Robinson, Fiddlers Dram, Brad is Sex, 
• Steve Pregnant - Bass
• James Compton - Keys, Accordian, Backing Vox (Microgroove, Straight Eight, Railway Children, Marshall & the SHooting Stars, Hank Wangford & Lost Cowboys, Paul Ansell's Number Nine, Imelda may, Shakin' Stevens)
• Lenny Kaye - Producer, Backing Vox (Link Cromwell & the Zoo, Patti Smith Group, Jim Carroll Band, Andy Zwerling, Throwing Muses, Joey Ramone, The Shams, Eugene Chadbourne, more)
• June Miles-Kingston - Harmony Vox (Mo-Dettes, Pride of the Cross, Fun Boy Three, Everything But the Girl, Big Country, Max Eider, Communards, Woodentops, Jimmy Somerville, David Freeman, 
• BJ Cole - Pedal & Lap Steel Guitars (Scott Walker, Marc Bolan, Bjork, Luke Vibert, Cochise, Lushlife, Mike batt, Black Eyed Dogs, Hank Wangford Band, New Hovering Dog More)
• CP Roth - String Arrangement (Blessed Union of Souls, John Giorno Band, Poptarts, Edgar Winter, Rick Derringer, Dead at Birth, Karen Haglof, Regina Richards, Neeva, Nolan Thomas, Suzanne Vega, NKOTB, more)
• Sabah El - Frugalhorns of Allah
• Bill Gill - Engineer, Recording, Virtuoso Tambourine (Railway Children)
• Greg Fulginiti - Mastering
• Mark Boyne - Jam Studios
• Matthew Kay - Representation c/o Farrago MGMT
• Robert Brimson - Sleeve Photos
• Keith Breeden - Sleeve Design

Unknown-ness: I have heard of Microdisney from being a casual fan of the High Llamas & Sean OHagan, but did not know what they sounded like. I only assumed it was similar to the light indie rock with a bit of a grounded, alt-country feel.

Album Review: At first most of the album is sleepy, with smooth & tinny, "fake" mid to late 80's production, and bits of country peppered through out. That is, except for the superior, fun, soulful "Big Sleeping House"; a song i'd love to hear XTC or the Jam cover. But as i listened to it more, the vocals became more enjoyable in a bit of an Andy Partridge way at the same mid-late 80's era. In 2018, after winning the Irish Music Rights Org / NCH Trtailblazing award, they played their self-declared final two shows ever after a 30 year hiatus.

Stand Out Track: Big Sleeping House

Links:
Wiki

Discogs

Allmusic

Guardian

John Peel Wiki

irish Times

tv tropes

stereogum 2018 30yr reunion

trouser press

medium

hotpress

Fetish Bones - Galaxy 500

Name: Fetish Bones
Album: Galaxy 500
Year:1987
Style: Cow-Punk, Alternative
Similar Bands: X, Blood on the Saddle, The Gossip, Animal Bag, Cucumbers, Bongos, Janis Joplin, Siouxsie Sioux
"One-Word" Review: Jangley Eclectic Cow-Punk
Based Out Of: Charlotte, North Carolina
Label: Capitol EMI

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Liner Notes & Lyrics, Record

Galaxy 500 (1987)

1. Stray 3:20
2. Everybody is a House 1:52
3. Sammy 2:11
4. Steamwhistle 3:34
5. You Thirst 3:46
6. Jesse James 4:13 (single b-side) /
7. Kingdom 2:50
8. Exit 2:30
9. Sourpuss 2:36
10. Riding Around 2:29
11. Chicken Truck 2:30
12. Things Are Happening 2:17
13. Binoculars 2:30

Album Rating (1-10): 5.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Don Dixon - Producer
• Aaron Pitkin - Guitar (Sugarsmack, It's Snakes, Snagglepuss)
• Clay Richardson - Drums (Jamie Hoover, Lava Love)
• Danna Pentes - bass (Antietam)
• Errol Stewart - Guitar 
• Hope Nicholls - Vox, Harmonica (Sugarsmack, It's Snakes, Pigface, Snagglepuss, Marylin Manson, Slick Idiot)
• Steve Haigler - Engineer
• Tim Carr - Exec Producer
• Don "Cannonball" McClure - Sax (The Embers, Dale Van Horn, Sonny Turner, Pervis Lee)
• Laurie Douglas - Art Direction
• Mark Gates - Mgmt

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but based on the album art work of very busy collage of art, font, and diorama knickknacks, they seem like a busy scattered band. And the back artwork screams hippie alternative, albeit, a good 5 years before it was all over MTV. But let's stick with a guess of classic rock hippie-ish music with feedback and sloppy, purposeful play.

Album Review: Well, the album is all over the place. With roots in Cow-Punk, their country tinged funk and classic rock wobbles and grooves all over the place, with eccentric vocals that transform from guttural growls to high aggressive chants and quiet reserved thoughtfulness in the same 20 seconds. I wouldn't quite call it a dynamic range, but it is definitely an eclectic range of style choices. They started in 1983, but if they shifted their time frame just 5 years later, they could have been huge in the 90's-Alt scene with singer Nicholls' look, attitude, and the band's blending of genre...just too ahead of their time,

Stand Out Track: Sourpuss

Links:
Spotify
Wiki
Discogs
LA Times article '86
allmusic
Penn State '85 Article
Rate Your Music
sputnick music
facebook

Bourgeois Tagg - Yoyo

Name: Bourgeois Tagg
Album: Yoyo
Year: 1987
Style: Loungey New Wave
Similar Bands: Spandau Ballet, Crowded House, late 80's Squeeze, late 80's XTC
"One-Word" Review: Adult Contemporary New Wave
Based Out Of: Sacramento, CA
Label: Island

Cover, Record, Sleeve

Back, Record, Sleeve

Record b-side

Yoyo (1987)

1. Best of All Possible Worlds 3:58
2. Cry Like a Baby 3:25 (single)
3. Pencil & Paper 4:03
4. Out of My Mind 4:02
5. 15 Minutes in the Sun 3:46 /
6. Waiting for the Worm to Turn 4:02 (single)
7. I Don't Mind at All 2:33 (single)
8. What's Wrong With This Picture 4:23
9. Stress 4:13
10. Coma 4:14

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:

• Todd Rundgren - Producer, Song Arrangement, Mixing, Engineer
• Brent Bourgeois - Producer, Key, Vox, String Arrangement (Uncle Rainbow, Convent Choir, Charlie Peacock, Todd Rundgren, Margaret Becker, Robert Palmer, Katey Sagal, Cheri Keaggy, Tony Vincent, Michael W Smith, At the Foot of the Cross, Joanna Carlson, Cindy morgan, Sarah Masen, Chris Rodriguez, Jonathan Rundman, Lisa Bevill )
• Larry Tagg - Producer Bass, Vox (Uncle Rainbow, Todd Rundgren, Eric Tagg, Margaret Becker, Eddie Money, Dirk Hamilton, Chris Rodriguez, Tonio K., Charlie Peacock, 7&7is)
• Lyle Workman - Guitar, String Arrangement (Todd Rundgren, Frank Black, Larry Tagg, Ilse Delange, Infant Sorrow, Sarah McLachlan, Charlie Peacock, Patty Larkin, John Gorka)
• Scott Moon - Keys (Ryo Antony, Internal Affairs, Todd Rundgren, Belle & Leslie)
• Mike Urbano - Drums, Percussion (Cracker, James Williamson & the Pink Hearts, John Hiatt, Look Park, Ryo Antony, Smashmouth, Spent Poets, Third Eye Blind, Torcher, Charlie Peacock, Fool Killers, Margaret Becker, Todd Rundgren, Vector, Brent Bourgeois, David Baerwald, Anton Barbeau, Paul Westerberg, Flax Sifter, Willy DeVille, Hannah Marcus, Chuck Prophet, Sheryl Crow, Black Lab, Buffalo Tom, Zucchero, Sunkist, Two Ball Loo, Poe, Red House Painters, Goapele, Lovemakers, Vonda Shepard,  Camper Van Beethoven, Ligablue)
• Jim Watts Vereecke - Asst. Engineer
• Mingo Lewis - Percussion (Medicine Drum, Santana, The Tong, the Tubes, Inner Circle, Tribe 3, Vortex tribe, Bill Summers, Buddy Miles, Billy Joel, Al Di Meola, Eno/Byrne, XTC, Todd Rundgren)
• John Tenney - Violin (Coast String Quartet, COLLAbSE, Van Morrison, Jesse Colin Young, Patti Labelle, Johnny Van Zant Band, Joe Strummer, Todd Rundgren, Art Pepper, Linda Ronstadt, XTC) 
• Joseph Edelberg - 2nd Violin (Coast String Quartet, Chanticleer Sinfonia, Rick Cerone, Corelli, Linda Rondtadt, Tim Gorman, Santana, Alan Silvestri, Marco Beltrami)
• Rebecca Sebring - Viola (Coast String Quartet, Skywalker Symphony Orch, Billy Burnette, Reg Lindsay, Aaron Neville, Linda Ronstadt, Danny Elfman, XTC)
• Teresa Adams - Cello (Coast String Quartet, mad River, Van Morrison, Joni Mitchell, Linda Ronstadt, Caledonia Soul Orch. Nob Hill String Ensemble, Link Wray, Con Funk Shun, Patti Labelle, Hubert Laws, Herbie Hancock, Art Pepper, XTC, Danny Elfman)
• Bill Graham Mgmt - Direction
• Tony Wright - Cover
• Michael Jang - Photos
• Scott Harrison - Crew
• Bob Lebarre - Crew
• Larry Toomey - Crew

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Looks like it will be smooth, overproduced, clinical new wave music, mostly just based on the name and year.

Album Review: This represents the era of new wave when technology was progressing to the point where albums chose this new shimmering one-dimensionally produced sound over real playing. Whether it was just so new and the future of music that it had to be used, or the old everyone else is making this sound- so we should to, or it was a company selling their product to studios like doctors force specific pharmaceutical brand to earn kick-backs. There is a little Oranges and Lemons XTC sound in these songs, but again, that is the sound of the era. Bourgeois became a born-again christian after bouts with drugs and alcohol, and after trying to force the rest of the band to his newfound cause, he broke up the band & left to pursue a christian rock lifestyle. The rest of the band supported Rundgren on his Nearly Human album & tour.

Stand Out Track: Waiting for the Worm to Turn

Links:
Youtube full album
Brent's Wiki
Discogs
Allmusic
Brent's website
Wolfgangs
Amazingly few discotheques provide jukeboxes
Rate your Music
Blue Desert - West Coast Music
Musician Bio

Doctors' Mob - Sophomore Slump

Name: Doctors' Mob
Album: Sophomore Slump
Year: 1987
Style: Punk, Alt-Rock, College Radio, "New Sincerity"
Similar Bands: Live, Redd Kross, REM, Gin Blossoms
"One-Word" Review: Jangly-Punk
Based Out Of: Austin, Texas
Label: Relativity Records

 Cover, Sleeve, Record

Back, Sleeve, Record

Sophomore Slump (1987)

1. It's Up To you 2:10
2. Sinking Fast 4:08
3. Poison 3:30
4. There's A Way 3:08
5. Pat Blashill 3:03 /
6. Let Me Try 2:37
7. Gracious Brunette 5:08
8. C2 E 2:45
9. Wake Up 2:34
10. I Don't Know 3:22

Album Rating (1-10): 7.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Tommy (Ramone) Erdelyi - Producer (Ramones)
• Steve Collier - Writing, Music, Vox, Guitar (Big Boys, Sidehackers, Rite Flyers)
• Don Lamb - Guitar, Vox, Remixing (Street Punks, Rhyth, Raiders, Captain Crunch, The Psychedelic Mirage, The Reivers)
• Glenn Benavides - Drums (Buick MacKane, Alejandro Escovedo)
• Tim Swingle - Bass, Vox (Hand of Glory, F)
• Mike Stewart - Engineer, Remixing
• David Fox - Cover Photo
• Linda Earley - Back Photo
• John Hamilton - Cover Painting
• David Bett - Art Direction

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. Could be jangly just by the name and the year, however one of the band members has a Misfits shirt on, so that could make for more of a punk-like edge, also they look kinda crusty, so that may make for interesting music.

Album Review: Part of the "New Sincerity" musical movement (ragged clothes & melodic songs played heavily), but also embracing the sloppy Drunk Rock moniker (Show up Drunk, Show Up Late, Or Don't Show Up At All), this band was pulled in multiple genre directions from the speed of punk melodies and harmonies of power pop, and jangley guitars, kinda sounding like a raw Gin Blossoms. But at the base of it all, they were musicians making good songs. Theyt didn't do well with "next big thing" pressure and really just want to have fun. This is their second album, and they've said it is mostly left over material that didn't get recorded for the first.

Stand Out Track: C2 E

Links:
Allmusic
Discogs
Austin Chronicle '99
Ear Candy mag

Neighborhoods (the) - Reptile Men

Name: The Neighborhoods
Album: Reptile Men
Year: 1987
Style: Power Pop, Janglepop, Metal
Similar Bands: Cheap Trick, The Db's, Dramarama, Material Issue, Moistboys
"One-Word" Review: Collegiate Metal
Based Out Of: Boston, Mass
Label: Roadrunner, Important, Emergo

 Cover & Back + Record

Gatefold & Record

Reptile Men (1987)

1. Pure & Easy 3:45
2. Modern Cowboy 4:13
3. Reptile Men 3:50
4. Tommy 4:04
5. Dangerous 3:35 /
6. The Man 2:30
7. Peeping Tom 1:49
8. Out Of Reach 3:34
9. Wailing Wall 2:53
10. Cliches 4:25

Album Rating (1-10): 6.0

Members & Other Bands:
Phil Greene - Producer, Engineer
Ralph Petrarca - Asst Engineer
Davis Minehan - Guitar, Vox (Paul Westerberg, Stardarts, Modifiers, Freeze, Lucky 57, John Surrette, Dirty Truckers, AM Stereo, Kickovers, Little Big Wheel, Cassavettes, Street Dogs, Buffalo Tom, Gang Green, Firecat, Tree)
Michael Quaglia - Drums, Vox (Lord Manuel)
Lee Harrington - Bass, Vox (Future Dads, Outlets, Barrens)
Bill Robinson - Asst Engineer
Vic Steffens - Pre-Production
Chuck Miller - Hoods Crew
Ralph Quaglia - Sound Engineer
Tyler Sweet - Sound Engineer
Nancy Harrington - Concept, Design, Artwork
B.C. Kagan - Photos
Lee - Reptiles

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. But they sure seem wacky and alternative. I bet this is mainly jangly college rock with a tinge of punk attitude...but just s little.

Album Review: Apparently they were 10 years old by the time this record came out. In 1979, they won a battle of the bands over Mission of Burma. Their momentum was stopped when they broke up from 80-81, and never regained as big of a following. They even had a song on Guitar Hero 2, and are still active today (2020). The record starts out with power pop, quietly heads toward jangley college radio rock, and dives into some heavier hooks and speedy metal guitars.

Stand Out Track: Pure & Easy

Links:
Wiki
Facebook
Discogs
Allmusic

Pop Art - Snap Crackle Pop Art

Name: Pop Art
Album: Snap Crackle Pop Art
Year:1987
Style: Jangly College Rock
Similar Bands: REM, Waxing Poetic, Bluebells, Michael Penn
"One-Word" Review: Light, Lofty Troubadour Pop
Based Out Of: LA, CA
Label: Stonegarden Records

Cover, Record, Lyrics, Catalog

Back, Record, Lyrics

Snap Crackle Pop Art (1987)

1. Never No 2:32
2. Subsiding 2:52
3. Flying and Falling 2:32
4. This Mess 3:03
5. Roomates 3:03
6. Half Days 1:39
7. Under Your Glove 2:33
8. On Her Line 4:05 /
9. Light Blue Pictures 3:09
10. Bullets 3:24
11. Once Before 2:55
12. Laying Cable 3:46
13. No Fire 2:25
14. Smile 3:47
15. Strumpupphallningsapparat 1:25
16. Conditional Thing 3:23

Album Rating (1-10): 6.5

Members & Other Bands:

• Ethan James - Producer, Keys, Engineer
• Jeff Steinhart - Guitar (Furious Seasons, Smart Brown Handbag, 
• Rich Steinhart - Guitar
• Dave Seinhart - Vox, Drums (Smart Brown Handbag, The Furious Seasons, Stingrays, )
• Tony Ortega - Bass
• Steve Weisburd - Drums (Kathy Valentine)
• Craig Aaronson - Drums (Broken Homes, Freewheelers)
• Lyn Norton - Keys (Smart Brown Handbag, Anna Homler)
• Rich Andrews - Backing Vox, Engineer
• John Golden - Mastering
• Jan Seedman - Mgmt
• Ignalill Wahlroos - Cover Design & Photography

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band, but I assume it's some high concept art band, perhaps post punk, or something like Wire.

Album Review: Pop art is a gentle slice of jangly college radio pop music. Like light Michael Stipe meets Michael Penn songs, almost Medieval-New Age at time. Craig Aaronson went on to manage and produce some popular late 90's actsd like Jimmy Eat World & Less Than Jake, The Used, My Chemical Romance, Bran Van 3000. Their record label was self-run.

Stand Out Track: Light Blue Pictures

Links:
Discogs
Rate Your Music
Dave's Wiki
LA Times article from '86
Dave on Frogtown Artwalk
Review Fix - Furious Seasons

It's Immaterial - Life's Hard And Then You Die

Artist: It's Immaterial

Album: Life's Hard And Then You Die

Year: 1987

Style: Spoken, Roots Rock, Experimental

Similar Bands: James, The Alarm, Borghesia

One Word Review: Discordant Jazz-Theaterical Dreams

Based Out Of: Liverpool, England

Label: A&M, Virgin Records

 Life's Hard And Then You Die - Cover, Record

 Life's Hard And Then You Die - Back, Record

Life's Hard And Then You Die - Notes

Life's Hard and Then You Die

1. Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune) 4:12
2. Happy Talk 5:29
3. Rope 3:37
4. The Better Idea 5:42
5. Space 3:59 /
6. The Sweet Life 4:38
7. Festival Time 3:52
8. Ed's Funky Diner 3:05
9. Hang On Sleepy Town 4:02
10. Lullaby 6:21

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:
Dave Bascombe - Producer
Felix Kendall - Engineer
John Campbell - vox (Yachts, La Fiancee)
Jarvis Whitehead - instruments (Branda & the Beachballs)
Dave Bates - Producer
Ross Stapleton - A&R
Jerry Harrison - Keys (Talking Heads, Tom Tom Club)
Tarrant Bailey Jr
Roddy Lorimer
Steve Wickham
Brenda Kenny
Henry Preistman (Yachts)
Gillian Miller
Merran Laginestra - Vox
Red Ranch - Art Direction & Design
Charlie Rivel - Clown on Cover
Tansy Spinks - Photographic Treatment Cover
Alastair Thain - Band Photo
Jim Lieber - Harmonica

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of this band, but from the dark album title, nihilistic name, scratchy clown artwork and general font choices, I'd imagine this is a hardcore, thrash band.

Album Review: “Driving Away From Home (Jim's Tune)” is a haunted country landscape tune similar to the Alarm, full of bouncy bass, echoing vocals and harmonica. The vocals are sedately spoken for the verse, and mildly sung for the chorus. The dead- gong jumps out from the background, echoing off in the distance.

“Happy Talk” kicks off with a discordant couple of notes, and quietly, whispers into a rushed, yet muted tempo. It is poetic, like many songs from James albums Laid and Seven, and the vocals are very similar in sound & style to Tim Booth. There is an over all, wind-swept sound to these songs so far. The song is long and meandering, where it can really lose the listener.

“Rope” begins with a skipping synth drum loop, and the Tim Booth style theatrical vocals continue here, supported by piano bursts and a steady bass. The chorus is very dreamy, upbeat and catchy. It slowly transitions into a Celtic jig, thanks to the violin section. A chorus of vocals supports the lead in bold, deep bursts at the end.

“The Better Idea” starts off with a windy background, and slow wood block percussion. It slowly creeks awake, stuttering and going back and forth between singing and beat poetry. It is much more a work on aestetic art than a song

“Space” begins with some mild, repetitive jungle xylophone action, and cold synth. The vocals are like an instruction manual or encyclopedic entry about space. The chorus breaks out into a cold, dark wave song, there is a little Russian Cold wave aspect here.

“The Sweet Life” is another dream-like minimal song, with held, wavering notes, somewhat operatic.  There is a little optimism in the horns at first before they squawk discordantly. The applause at the end give further suggestion of a theatrical
“Festival Time” starts out with a vibe similar to the Ewok celebration at the end of Jedi. Adding in some tribal rhythms, and flutes, but it also has periods of avant guard jazz bursts. And the song fades out with one or two remaining instruments played

“Ed's Funky Diner” has a more straightforward funky melody, a beat-snapping post-apocalyptic dance with horns and a lot of energy, comparatively to the rest of the album.

“Hang On Sleepy Town” has a slow, quiet swaying swagger with acoustic guitar and violin. The vocals glide through, painting a sad, sullen image. The farmhouse instruments slowly grow in urgency.

“Lullaby” begins with twinkling bells, and unexpectedly fast tempo in bass and guitars for a lullaby. The song is actually driving, musically, as the vocals slowly glide overtop. The lyric “It’s a shame” repeats over in the chorus. The piano and bass have an urgent quality to them, although the overall song is not that pressing. The end of the song has actual lullaby lyrics over synth instrumentations that sound like an ominous heart monitor, which paints a sad picture of a prayer for comfort in a hospital room.

Stand Out Track: Rope

Links:
Wiki
Discogs
facebook
pledge music drive (over)
allmusic
SuperDelux Edition
rate your music

Party Boys - Daddyland

Name: Party Boys

Album: Daddyland

Year: 1987

Style: Art-Rock, Folk-Blues

Similar Bands: Half Japanese, Velvet Underground

One Word Review: Fragile, theater-minoring surf-folk reverb.

Based Out Of:  Los Angeles

Label: Nate Starkman & Son, Independant Project Records, Fundamental Music

 Daddyland: Cover, Liner Notes, Record

Daddyland: Back, Sleeve, Record

PR Note

Daddyland (1987)

1. Don't Be Kind 3:11
2. The Spring Street Shuffle 3:19
3. Nora 3:54
4. 10 Minute Song 4:49
5. Spoonful 2:28
6. I Love You 3:23 /
7. Walk Me Down 4:55
8. Dirty Girls 6:06
9. Daddyland 7:20

Album Rating (1-10): 5.5

Members & Other Bands:

Gillean McLeod

James Duck

Donald Dunham

Fred Arbegast

John Dyer

Marnie Weber (Spirit Girls)

Gary Held - Promo Contact

Richard Jordan - Distribution Contact

Phil Singher - Engineer

Unknown-ness: I've never heard of them, but this album looks very interesting. A mix of low budget and just out there in randomness, from the image on the back, to the drawing of a model on the front to the headless warrior on the sleeve and record label. It's hard to get an idea of what this is going to contain. The bio included a mix of drenched reverb vox, art-damaged-music, and a reworking of traditional blues. So yeah, still up in the air.

Album review:  

The only member of the band that had a career outside of the band was Marnie Weber, who was more artistically inclined, and made the cover art for Sonic Youth’s A Thousand Leaves record. This is the Party Boys’ third album. Honestly, I can’t imagine how these tracks transitioned live, but I hope there was an accompanying intricate stage show.

“Don't Be Kind” quietly fades up with an ominous, wavering vocal chant, and dark chamber synth. It’s a little Dracula-like performance art. The song slowly grows, and the vocals become unbalanced and emotional. Quite a weird song.
“The Spring Street Shuffle” also comes in with some irregular notes and eerie effects. The vocals are spoken with lots of echoing reverb, and act like directions to a yoga work out or something instructional. There is a little surf element in the short, looping melody. It also ends with some emotion outpouring.
“Nora” has higher pitch vocals, which are equally irregular and brittle. The slide/surf guitar still exists in the background, but a lead bass line is more in the forefront, and overall, the sound is more upbeat, but just by a little. The main lyric is “My Name Is” which leads up to the song title. The song ends as it loses the instrumentation, and the lyrics are sung on repeat upscale to an increasingly high pitch.
“10 Minute Song” begins with watery, “alternative” chords, and some C&W slide guitar, with a horse-slopping tempo underneath. The vocals are nearly whispered, and sound like they are being sung as air is being sucked in, rather than exhaled. The vocals increase in wavering emotion, and appear to be in pain at times. The hooks are very short and quite repetitive, as I was hoping for a little more diversity in the track.
“Spoonful” has a back and forth range-riding cowboy atmosphere to it, but the guitars echo and the vocals are shared, there is the fragile deep set, and a higher pitch that we heard on “Nora,” that reminds me a little of the Velvet Underground.
“I Love You” sounds like a layered single note guitar melody, with bass quietly added in the background. The vocals are quiet, and sound like they are just reading ingredients on the back of a box of cereal. The song grows and becomes more dense with heavier bass and haunting effects added in behind. But there is a certain air of confidence about this song. It gets quite uncomfortable when the calm vocals suddenly emote singing the title. Later they are echoed with a chorus behind.

“Walk Me Down” begins with a catchy hook that is layered and built upon strictly following the 10-note melody. The vocals are barely there, chanted and echoing with reverb. The song builds and the guitar disappears, leaving the bass to play the same hook. The melody shifts a little, sounding more like a New Order bass line, with some whistling behind, and then some vocals sing “Ey-Yigh-Yigh.” Then everything just fades out.
“Dirty Girls” has another nearly 30 second fade up of minimal 2-chord guitar and a dark bass line. A strained vocal, barely able to udder syllables, let alone words chants along. It builds, like many of the songs do in emotional intensity, but it does not change the overall sound or hook.
“Daddyland” is the longest song on the record, and it ends with a straight ahead guitar 2 chord, 4 note progression that repeats to insanity. The vocals are nothing new, a mix of beatnik poetry and instruction reciting that increases in emotion as the song increases in thickness. The side-bar instruments follow the melody and drive, but tend to spur off into their own direction and mini-melodies. The song begins its final decent with fuzzy feedback guitars, and vocals that drift away from the front, and echo as they disperse. It is really too drawn out to keep the attention, and there has been nothing prior to assume there will be something redeeming hidden at the end. 

Stand Out Track: Walk Me Down

Links:
Discogs

PB website

rate your music

La Folie Du Jour

Marnie's site
Full album - youtube

Spit - Thrust And Disgust

Name: Spit

Album: Thrust And Disgust

Year: 1987

Style: Grunge-Core, Humours, Indie

Similar Bands: Jello Biafra / Dead Kennedys, Christian Lunch, Dead Milkmen, Residents, They Might Be Giants

One Word Review: Growley-Smutty-Synth

Based Out Of: Philadelphia, PA

Label: a + r

Thrust And Disgust - Cover, Tape

Thrust And Disgust (1987)

1. Distress 3:16
2. Tear You Apart 2:57
3. Givin' Up 2:57
4. Skin Tight 4:29
5. They Got You 3:19/
6. World Torture Me 2:19
7. Football Star 3:22
8. Weakling 4:05
9. Sorry Out Of Tofu 2:02
10. Do You Wanna Whip Me 5:53

Album Rating (1-10): 7.0

Members & Other Bands:
Vinnie Spit - Vox, Guitar, Producer, Cover (Batz Without Flesh)

Mc Clay - Cover 

Myers - Cover

Unknown-ness: I never heard of Spit. Just got this in a pile of gothic / dark wave / industrial tapes, so I can only conclude it is one of the same like Sisters of Mercy.

Album Review: Smut and lewdness seem to describe singer / artist Vinnie Spit, the self-proclaimed “Godfather of Smut.” Although this first album of his is relatively tame compared to his later compositions, shreds of indecency pop up in Football Star and Do You Wanna Whip Me. A Philadelphia native, he has gained minor popularity thanks to hometown radio station WMMR in 1989, and John Peel in England in 1988. He now lives in California, and still plays out live as of 2016.

“Distress” begins with a kick drum, and a discordant bass line. Guitar and a drum machine add in to form an aggressive, growley vocal style and driving song. The chorus finds a progressive rolling bass line under more raspy, growling vocals. The song then repeats, starting over with the first bass line. The song does build and recover nicely, continuing to push the momentum forward through the three distinct sections.

“Tear You Apart” starts with the drum machine, and dark tonal guitars. The speedy bass bounces all over the  place, and the growling vocals drag the song along. The bridge, into the chorus used a dark wave, crystal synth tone. The vocals sound like a rougher Rodney Anonymous from Dead Milkmen.

“Givin' Up” is a little more mysterious and new wavey, perhaps a little like the Residents. Drum machine and synth are the primary elements here. There is a drum machine breakdown with radio transmitted vocals spoken over top.

“Skin Tight” is an instrumental that begins with drum machine hand claps, and a slinky mysterious bass line. The drum machine is given a few solos that remind me simultaneously of early They Might Be Giants, Run DMC, and Harold Faltermeyer’s Axel F. The track, although it carries the bass and drum beat as a constant get a little jazzy at the end.

“They Got You” is a driving punk song, more straightforward than anything on the album yet. Looping guitar and bass sections and steady basic drum beat. The chorus is a little too basic, repetitive and embarrassing.

“World Torture Me” has a slow, jazzy start. It reminds me a little of a skatty Tom Waits song. It also reminds me of some of They Might Be Giants early b-sides, particularly Counterfeit Fake era b-sides.

“Football Star” starts off as a looping, repeating guitar driven song. The vocals ae very clear, and makes a juvenile, humorous commentary on football players, and their sexuality. It has a similar tone to Butt Trumpet songs. Overall, it is a pretty catchy song.

“Weakling” kick drum machine begins this track, followed by a bass heavy, stutter-stepping tempo. The vocals are even gruffer than usual. The song never diverges from the stumbling tempo, and the song grows boring pretty fast.

“Sorry Out Of Tofu” as a very Devo, new wave tempo and melody, featuring a rattling drum machine and building progression.

“Do You Wanna Whip Me” starts with non-melodic drum machine beats, and swirls up into progressive and spooky synth melody. It is anxious and nervous musically, but confident and subservient lyrically. The instrumental section features some soaring electric guitar and other synth effects, before transitioning back into the building verse melody. 

Stand Out Track: Football Star

Links:
allmusic

bandcamp page

Vinnie's Page

John Peel's Festive 50

Facebook

Vinnie - Discogs

Pianosaurus - Groovy Neighborhood

Name: Pianosaurus

Album: Groovy Neighborhood

Year: 1987

Style: Novelty Pop, Folksy, Oldies

Similar Bands: Coolies, Ed's Redeeming Qualities, Belle & Sebastian. 

One Word Review: Saturday Morning Cartoon Folk

Based Out Of: Upstate NY

Label: Rounder Records

 Groovy Neighborhood - Cover & Record

Groovy Neighborhood - Back & Record

Groovy Neighborhood (1987)

1. Thriftshoppin' 2:54
2. Ready to Rock 1:54
3. Sun Will Follow 2:05
4. The Speakeasy Song 3:24
5. Cherry Street 2:04
6. Memphis (Chuck Berry) 2:09
7. Going Downtown 3:22/
8. Love is a Two-Way Street 2:24
9. Center of the Universe 1:54
10. A Little Love (Never Hurt) 2:19
11. Bubblegum Music 3:03
12. A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Toy Store 3:51
13. Eleanor Day 1:04
14. Dimples (John Lee Hooker) 1:58

Album Rating (1-10): 8.0

Members & Other Bands:
Richland Designs - Design
Stephen Dansiger - Toy Drum, Percussion, Horns, Vox (King Missile, Roger Manning, Artless)
James MacMillian - Engineer
Rob Grenoble - Asst Engineer, Assoc. Producer
Robert Miller, Asst Engineer, Assoc. Producer
Peter Kohman - Guitar
Alex Garvin - Toy Guitar, Horns, Vox
Don Howland - Liner Notes
David Freeman - Photograph
Peter Holsapple - Producer, Guitar, Vox (dB's, Continental Drifters, REM, Chills)
Bianca Miller - Toy Piano, Toy Guitar, Horns, Vox

Unknown-ness: Never heard of this band. I would assume that the instruments they are posing with are a metaphor fr their care free, and childish tone of their songs, including the title Groovy Neighborhood. It has a juvenile sound, as does their band name. However, the description on the back reads like they play the children's instruments. Now I don't know really what to expect, except perhaps some very basic songs.

Album Review: So this is quite the shtick that they stuck too: full on toy instruments playing out a dozen or so original numbers and two covers. Apparently they covered The Box Top’s The Letter, too, but it was not included on the vinyl. Only one album was made, produced by Peter Holsapple of many other bands in the same realm of sound (dBs, REM, Chills), just not execution that these guys had. It is playful, charming, and naively pure; non-threatening for sure. Their second album, titled Back to School, never came out, after singer Alex left the band before it could be produced.

“Thriftshoppin'” starts with a fun, anxious pace, but the sound is undeniable: toy piano and children’s instruments. This is what they promised, and it sounds pretty good. This song sounds like a theme for the band. It is a humorous take on thrift store shopping, something that has never really gone out of style- at least one group of kids grows up enamored with goodwill garments and items. The song pounds and bangs on the instruments, and it is a wonder how it was mic’ed and recorded so clearly. Just a solid pop song, and it could be an apropriate theme song to this blog.

“Ready to Rock” feels like a buddy holly song, with simple melodies strung together with vocal stints as the glue. The jangley piano is something every kid can associate with, and it’s incredible to hear as a legitimate (debatable) instrument, not as an accessory. It sounds like how a child’s toy company would modify an oldies song to come out of a kid’s toy.

“Sun Will Follow” is a little slower and steady with the tempo. The vocals are slightly monotone, and very folksy: not having to offer extreme emotion over powerful instruments. This song sounds like it could be repackaged for a Matthew Sweet album.

“The Speakeasy Song” begins quietly, and is a bit southern bluesy, on a toy guitar. The harpsichord sounding piano joins the guitar, and eventually a delicate drum beat. The song increases in strength and solid, cohesive sound. This is the song that the album title comes from.

“Cherry Street” is another song that is about and explaining the small town where the Pianosaurs live. The song has a bit of a loungey tone, perhaps a little island sound, with the drum brush strokes, and piano, which could be stretched to sound like a steel drum, if you squint your ears just right. The song has a calming swaying effect. The purely audible and clearly accented vocals remind me of production from the band Ed’s Redeeming Qualities.

“Memphis” is a cover of Chuck Berry, featuring the toy guitar and a bouncy bas accompaniment. The vocals are sung in harmony, and the song bounces along like a horse drawn wagon or cartoon train. With the popular 8-bit covers of famous songs, this is a decidedly analog take on the same enjoyment.

“Going Downtown” is quite folksy, with sedated vocals, barely forming words, as the sleepy guitar bleeds into a bit of an upbeat piano and drum tempo. The melody, with the way it seems to continue just as it is about to end, reminds me of Belle & Sebastian’s more mellow songs. As the instrumental break plays out to the end, I’m even more reminded of Generals and Majors on If You’re Feeling Sinister, particularly the line “snow is falling, falling, falling.”

“Love is a Two-Way Street” is a drunken, swaying hammock love ballad. The toy guitar and vocals start out the song, built up by the piano and clacking stick percussion. Base is added, and the song picks up form. The backing vocals repeat the title out, with a bit of a psychedelic production, and the piano carries the song out.

“Center of the Universe” is immediately pleasant and jovial. The whole song sounds like a chorus. For the second verse, the backing vocals sing as a shadow to the lead.

“A Little Love (Never Hurt)” is similar to Two Way Street, in its perception of a care free love ballad sung in a rowboat. It would be hard to imagine this song played in a dark, dingy venue: I could only hear this played in high school auditoriums or summer community festivals.

“Bubblegum Music” sets out to explore exactly what it is called. Catchy simple hooks on guitar and shifty excitable drums play through the verse. Once the chorus hits, it is a release of an even better hook akin to all of the bubblegum pop of the 60’s. The unnerved vocals really play well for this style of song. It is a little repetitive, but that is the point of the simple throw-away melodies like this, with lyrics like “Bubble Gum Music / Chew It Up.”

“A Funny Thing Happened On the Way to the Toy Store” is a quiet reflective song, considering the happenings in the neighborhood as the singer walks through. It has a little of a Weird Al style to it, with the same descriptive style, in its sincerity, and just a touch of silliness. The song plays out the last 30 seconds or so as an instrumental and a chorus of “Wooos.”

“Eleanor Day” could also be a Belle & Sebastian song, with its melancholy vocal melody, with some sunrise, sprouting instrumental support.

“Dimples” is a cover of John Lee Hooker. And the rough sounding toy guitar & bass is the main instrument driving this be-bopping blues song along. Even when the guitar rings out, the notes fade away fast, perhaps because they are played on plastic strings. But there is a raw, fun energy to the song, that perhaps is the only true way to capture the themes of the song as a cover.

Stand Out Track: Thriftshopin'

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