A Village of Little Creatures

Three Hundred Sixty-Two

Artist - Talking Heads
Album - Little Creatures
Released - 1985
Label - Sire/EMI
Genre - New Wave Pop

Tracks:
A
And She Was
Give Me Back My Name
Creatures of Love
The Lady Don't Mind
Perfect World
B
Stay Up Late
Walk It Down
Television Man
Road to Nowhere

Enjoy!

Red Lips with Sunglasses

Three Hundred Twenty-Five

Artist - Saga
Album - Worlds Apart
Released - 1981
Label - Portrait
Genre - Progressive/New Wave Rock

Tracks:
Side 1
On The Loose
Wind Him Up
Amnesia
Framed
Time's Up
Side 2
The Interview
No Regrets (Chapter V)
Conversations
No Stranger (Chapter VII)

Enjoy!

Vroom, Vroom

Three Hundred Twenty-One

Artist - The Cars
Album - Shake It Up
Released - 1981
Label - Elektra
Genre - New Wave/Pop Rock

Tracks:
1
Since You're Gone
Shake It Up
I'm Not The One
Victim of Love
Cruiser
2
A Dream Away
This Could Be Love
Think It Over
Maybe Baby

Enjoy!

A La La La

Three Hundred Ten

Artist - The Police
Album - Reggatta de Blanc
Released - 1979
Label - A&M
Genre - New Wave/Post Punk

Tracks:
Side One
Message in a Bottle
Reggatta de Blanc
It's Alright For You
Bring on the Night
Deathwish
Side Two
Walking on the Moon
On Any Other Day
The Bed's Too Big Without You
Contact
Does Everyone Stare
No Time This Time

Enjoy!

Heads are Talkin'

Two Hundred Eighty-One

Artist - Talking Heads
Album - Fear of Music
Released - 1979
Label - Sire
Genre - New Wave/Post Punk/Art Punk

Tracks:
Side 1
I Zimbra
Mind
Paper
Cities
Life During Wartime
Memories Can't Wait
Side 2
Air
Heaven
Animals
Electric Guitar
Drugs

By the name of the tracks alone, one can't help but to listen to it.  Another reason, Brian Eno and David Byrne.  The fantastic mastermind of so much, Talking Heads Fear of Music is interesting to say the least.  The third studio album is filled with eclectic sounds and it definitely has your dose of post punk, new wave mixed right into this.  

Enjoy!

Totally

Two Hundred Sixteen

Artist - Yes
Album - 90125
Released - 1983
Label - Atco
Genre - Pop Rock/New Wave

Tracks:
1
Owner of a Lonely Heart
Hold On
It Can Happen
Changes
2
Cinema
Leave It
Our Song
City of Love
Hearts

Enjoy!

Talking Sense

Two Hundred Two

Artist - Talking Heads
Album - Stop Making Sense
Released - 1984
Label - Sire/EMI
Genre - Post-Punk/New Wave

Tracks:
Side One
Psycho Killer
Swamp
Slippery People
Burning Down the House
Girlfriend is Better
Side Two
Once in a Lifetime
What a Day That Was
Life During Wartime
Take Me To the River

A live album from the Talking Head's motion picture Stop Making Sense, this soundtrack highlights the great tracks by the band.  David Byrne at his most cutest, if that is a good way to put it.  Byrne's intention was not to make a traditional soundtrack, but to have a separate experience.

Why "Stop Making Sense"?

Why a movie? Why tour?

Why do the musicians come out gradually?

What will the next band do?

Where do the odd movements come from?

Are live concerts better or worse than records?

Why no "special effects" in the movie?

Why a booklet? Why a big suit?

Why was a digital system used for the sound?

I find it fascinating when bands put together documentaries when they go on tour, to specifically give us, the fans, a dose of what it's like on the road for them and to also give us a perspective on the inner workings of what goes on when a band goes on the road.  Listening to this record, Psycho Killer and Burning Down the House are two of my favorites, because I feel like it best forms Byrne's vocal range.  Questions left unanswered, some left to get the mind thinking of future directions.

Enjoy!

Once in a While

One Hundred Fortieth

Artist - Devo
Album - Are We Not Men?
Released - 1978
Label - Warner Bros.
Genre - Post-Punk, New Wave

Tracks:
Uncontrollable Urge
Praying Hands
Space Junk
Mongoloid
Jocko Homo
Too Much Paranoias
Gut Feeling
Come Back Jonee
Sloppy (I Saw My Baby Gettin')
Shrivel-Up

I have to admit, this album is such a fun album.  I vividly remember SXSW 2009, I was at Austin Music Hall seeing Datarock perform and Devo was next.  All the Devo-heads were out and about, wearing their Devo headgear and prepping for the show.  As a matter of fact, here is a photo:

Anyway, back to the album.  As of late, with all my ESPN watching, Uncontrollable Urge has been getting a lot of play, so in honor of all things wonderful in the world of sports, this pick deserves some playtime today.  Are We Not Men? is Devo's debut album.  A few talented artists of this time took interest in what Devo had to offer and I believe that is what made them the interesting group that they are.  

Enjoy!

Back to Normal

Because today was filled with all kinds of chaos, here is my one hundred nineteenth pick:

Artist - The Cars
Album - The Cars
Released - 1978
Label - Elektra
Genre - Rock, New Wave

Tracks:
Side One
Good Times Roll
My Best Friend's Girl
Just What I Needed
I'm In Touch With Your World
Don't Cha Stop
Side Two
You're All I've Got Tonight
Bye Bye Love
Moving In Stereo
All Mixed Up

So last night was a rather sad, depressing night.  After I was 1/2 way through listening to this record, I realized my precious Miso was missing.  After combing through the streets and shedding some tears, I went to bed, not even saving what I have previously typed.  When I woke up, my computer restarted itself and everything that I wrote was gone.  So here I am, the next say and so thankful because after spending a few hours in the hot blistering sun, someone answered to my flyer and let me to where Miso is.  There is definitely goodness in the world.  So after a rather draining day, I played the remainder of this record and will now consider it today's play.

The Cars is a great band who I think are very underrated.  Maybe not as underrated as I would think, but since they are in the era of new wave rock, to me it's like one of those short, quick phases you go through.  The Cars debut album, to me, was a process of changes and growing up.  It's obvious that this album came out a few years before I was born, but I remember hearing a lot of these songs as I was growing up.  Good Times Roll, My Best Friend's Girl, and All Mixed Up definitely are great songs.  Nonetheless, this album is great.  A good one to dance to!

Enjoy!

No Power, No Problem

One Hundred Tenth pick:

Artist - Elvis Costello
Album - This Year's Model
Released - 1978
Label - Radar
Genre -New Wave, Punk Rock

Tracks:
Side One
No Action
This Years Girl
The Beat
Pump It Up
Little Triggers
You Belong To Me
Side Two
Hand In Hand
Lip Service
Living in Paradise
Lipstick Vogue
Radio Radio

I've always been a fan of Elvis Costello, since about high school, and when I found his album, I was so happy.  Not only does this record contain some of the best songs, but it's also the second album Elvis Costello released with the Attractions.  Pump It Up and Radio Radio are favorites of mine and the pop/jazz type sound that displays on this record is extraordinary.  Plus his solid framed trademark glasses reels me in.

Enjoy!

Delayed

After a 8hr shift at work and a 3.11 bike ride, I came home to no power.  Before I got home, I knew I didn't have power because my roommate called me to let me know it was out as well as the neighbors.  I figured it was just a quick fix, but LITTLE DID I KNOW that it would be off until almost 11:00 p.m.  It's been a while since I sat in a house for more than an hour without power.  I cleared my mind, read the rest of The Walking Dead comics Robbie let me borrow and the whole time I thought about how bad I wanted to play my one hundred ninth pick.  So here you are, a day late but NOT an album short.

Artist - Pretenders

Album - Pretenders

Released - 1980

Label - Sire Records

Genre - New Wave, Punk Rock

Tracks:

Precious

The Phone Call

Up The Neck

Tattooed Love Boys

Space Invader

The Wait

Stop Your Sobbing

Kid

Private Life

Brass In Pocket

Lovers of Today

Mystery Achievement

Let's spin this review a little differently here.  I'm a love of music and all things sound (if it is to my interest).  One of my favorite movies, Lost In Translation, has a part where a group is in a karaoke room singing and of course Brass In Pocket is being sung by Scarlette Johansson's character Charlotte.  Anyway, when a friend of mine mentioned that he wanted me to learn the lyrics for karaoke on 8/18, I had to rummage through my records to see if I had the Pretenders and I did.  So this is dedicated to my Seattle friend Patrick.  Come August 18th, we will sing this and drink.  

Enjoy!

At Work

So here is to a confusing day, my eighty-fifth pick.

Artist - Men At Work
Album - Business As Usual
Released - 1981
Label - CBS/Columbia
Genre - New Wave/Pop Rock


Tracks:
Who Can it Be Now?
I Can See it in Your Eyes
Down Under
Underground
Helpless Automaton
People Just Love to Play with Words
Be Good Johnny
Touching the Untouchables
Catch a Star
Down By The Sea

This makes a lot of sense, this post.  Men at Work is from Australia and I almost feel like most bands from Australia in the 80's have an island-ish sound to them.  Yes, this is new wave/pop rock, but in all honesty, it has something that makes it sound that way, at least to me.  Men at Work are most famous for their songs Down Under and Who Can it Be Now?, which to me were songs I grew up with (yes, especially since this song came out in 1981, when I was a child, an infant even).  I love how I display these records from way back then and it triggers so many memories.

Enjoy!

Someone call...

My fifty-fifth pick:

Artist - The Police
Album - Outlandos d' Amour
Released - 1978
Label - A&M
Genre - Rock, New Wave, post-punk, reggae


Tracks:
Side One
Next To You
So Lonely
Roxanne
Hole in my Life
Peanuts
Side Two
Can't Stand Losing You
Truth Hits Everybody
Born in the 50's
Be My Girl - Sally
Masoko Tanga

The debut album by the Police, Outlandos d'Amour is a mix of new wave and reggae, that would almost have to be a first for an artist.  On top of that, you have the unique sound of Sting's voice, which makes it that much more unusual.  I do enjoy the reggae roots being incorporated into each song and the sound, which would ultimately follow them onto future recordings.  Roxanne is one of my favorite songs on this record and even though it's about a prostitute at the red-light district (so they say), something about Sting's voice that emphasizes each word in the song with the feeling of longing.  I don't know if that sounds weird, but Sting's voice is definitely mesmerizing.

On that note, I will be on vacation for the next 10 days, so my posts might not be too interesting, but for the most part, I will post a vinyl record and visit some great record shops while in South Florida.

Enjoy!

After-Glow

So many choices, but I picked this.  This album sums up the last few months of my life and when I listen to it, I just feel happy.  For my thirty-eighth pick:

Artist - M83
Album - Hurry Up, We're Dreaming
Released - 2011
Label - Naive
Genre - Electronic, dream pop


Tracks:
Side A
Into
Midnight City
Reunion
Where The Boats Go
Wait
Side B
Raconte-Moi Une Historie
Train To Pluton
Claudia Lewis
This Bright Flash
When Will You Come Home?
Soon, My Friend
Mirror
Side C
My Tears Are Becoming A Sea
New Map
OK Pal
Another Wave From You
Splendor
Side D
Year One, One UFO
Fountains
Steve McQueen
Echoes Of Mine
Klaus I Love You
Outro

Such an extensive album for such a great band.  M83 was introduced to me when my friend Bryan went to Europe and burned me all their records and sent it with a note.  I still have the note, which was very inspiring to me and when I put the CD in my computer, I fell in love.  I know music, but most of the time I don't know artists or songs, so I have a wide range and when I heard M83, I was happy.

This is M83's sixth studio album and it's not bad for a French band that illustrates new wave, electronic sounds.  The intro alone should get your attention which rolls into Midnight City, which to me is the ultimate sax song.  The saxophone bit at the end is a surprise, but it flows into the song so well.  Every single part of this album is unique and very interesting to say the least.  Definitely worth a good listen to enjoy every single sound!

Enjoy!!

One Way or Another

In all things magnificent and good, a woman with such power has topped the list of greatness.  My thirty-fifth pick is one that has, in no time, became an icon in the music scene.

Artist - Blondie
Album - Parallel
Released - 1978
Label - Chrysallis
Genre - New Wave, Post Punk


Tracks:
Side One
Hanging On The Telephone
One Way Or Another
Picture This
Fade Away And Radiate
I Know But I Don't Know
Side Two
11:59
Will Anything Happen?
Sunday Girl
Heart of Glass
I'm Gonna Love You Too
Just Go Away

By some horrible way, my record is warped (booooo), but luckily I am playing it on my iTunes as I write this review.  I need to make a note to get another copy of Parallel Lines by Blondie the next time I go out and get some records.  This is definitely a MUST HAVE in your collection.  As the album is playing, it just reminds me how many hits are on this record. One Way Or Another and Heart of Glass have to be the main ones, but all in all, my favorite is 11:59.  You can definitely hear the New Wave, which I think is great because it could also be a record to dance to, if you want to dance like they did in the late 70's, early 80's.  I have to admit, I am one that dances no matter what and if I feel like a song make me want to move, then I will move, no matter how horrible I look.  I think I just stopped caring about what others thought of me and started living life for me.  Oops, I'm rambling.  Okay, back on the record, this album is by far one of the best albums by a female fronted band.  This is the third album by Blondie.

Enjoy!

Totally 80's

This is one album that I can totally jam to.  A group of four wild girls tearing it up, being like boys and partying hard like they do too.

Debut Album
Released July 1981, Label - I.R.S.

Tracks:

1. How Much More

2. Tonite

3. Lust To Love

4. This Town

5. We Got The Beat

6. Fading Fast

7. Automatic

8. You Can't Walk In Your Sleep (If You Can't Sleep)

9. Skidmarks On My Heart

10. Can't Stop The World

I like this record because it's performed by females.  In the 80's you had Madonna and some other female artists/groups, but I think this group did a good job at being women in a mans world.  I believe it was on VH-1 that I saw an I love the 80's episode or somehow The Go-Go's came up and they had cameras backstage at one of their shows.  Anyways, they just talked about their behavior at that time.  Good for them though, you know.  Being a woman, I know how hard it is to even be taken seriously without someone wanting something more.  

This one goes out to all the powerful ladies in the world.  Do what you want and when you have all the power, you take what you want!!