Bimbo asked the question about Indie and whether that is a genre in itself.It's an interesting question and certainly my view that from 65-80 is the greatest years of rock music probably aligns with that. The changes in how music is written, recorded, the complexity, scope, scale, ambition pushed it forward dramatically. The explosion of genres in this period is incredible - rock, heavy rock, heavy metal, psychedelia, soul, funk, glam rock, the singer songwriter, disco, Philly Soul, jazz rock, punk, hip hop, ambient and the fusing of classical and Indian music into rock is just mind-blowing.
Has it been done? I think a large part of me says yes but by the same token whilst the Kraftwerk etc did electronic music the acid house sounds later in the decade sound very different to anything else before it. Sure we can argue that it's a genre of electronic music but - simply - different drugs for different music. Acid House isn't the only one I can think of but I would say that it starts to push music in a new direction with a heavier focus on the club experience. Maybe disco could argue that's what it did but the music in house is computerised, heavy on beats and production etc.
I would certainly agree that most of the blocks have been laid now and we're building on these now but some of these genres start to become bigger than their parents. Whilst, for example, we can say the Beatles or Led Zeppelin are descendent of the blues their sound is so different it's really hard to compare the two.
It's a great question though and would love to know what others think.
I figured their brief claim of fame in the US hardly registered elsewhere, which is what I was counting on with this pick.There’s very few Artists on here I’ve never heard of and this is one.
Looking forward to listening to them.
Glad to be of assistance, pretty sure Marshall Crenshaw was pretty unknown on this side of the pond at the time.I figured their brief claim of fame in the US hardly registered elsewhere, which is what I was counting on with this pick.
Your last pick of Marshall Crenshaw that directly precedes this ensured I could nominate lesser-known gem instead. Both were often heard on WMMR, so while not of the same sub-genre, they were similar enough to be heard together. I was a fan of both.
I'm jolly pleased for them and their up to date references.Bimbo I'm pretty sure there's a flock of seagulls hair joke in Friends, you ought to watch it mate :-)
Oi! This is my week, you're just the lacky who's doing the admin...I'm taking mental notes of a minor coda with Roxy Music and MJ, but we'll have some patience this week to see what comes up in the time we have left. ;-)
I'm jolly pleased for them and their up to date references.
The fact it became popular with any generation mystifys me.In fairness I'd guess Friends is at least 30 years old now? The fact it became popular with subsequent generations is the bit I find most mystifying.
I mean, it was OK, but you don't see me close to nominating anything from there. Maybe it was that synth intro (and the heavy MTV rotation!), but given the heavy diet I'm now seeing up close you lot had over in the UK by then, it probably was a shoulder shrug for you by then. ;-)
Radio 1 is was and always has been (mostly) shite. It was all we had but at least it didn’t have adverts. Somehow though the BBC managed to amass a great number of excellent performances by some very fine rock bands, some of which we can now enjoy on cd.I think that's right, they were really just outgunned by a plethora of more interesting acts.
On the subject of which, I think it was @Saddleworth2 who mentioned the divergence between UK and US music at the end of the 70s/start of the 80s and there was a small period where we took off to pastures new and you stayed more rock orientated. I think this is relatively easily explained by the size and difference in radio markets.
Unlike US radio, cultural 'power' was heavily concentrated, essentially the UK at the time had a single national radio station that pretty much set the popular music agenda. Commercial radio stations would have individual DJs who would champion particular genres like Alan Robson with metal on Metro in the north east; but pretty much the BBC Radio 1 playlists shaped what would be listened too everywhere, for both mainstream and indie/alt acts.
A small number of DJs and producers (Peel, Nightingale, Jensen etc and their production teams) acted as the curators of the nations musical diet.
Radio 1 is was and always has been (mostly) shite. It was all we had but at least it didn’t have adverts. Somehow though the BBC managed to amass a great number of excellent performances by some very fine rock bands, some of which we can now enjoy on cd.
Yeah wasn't passing comment on quality more that the level of 'power' it had to set the agenda. Beyond things like the breakfast show bollocks, Peel is the obvious example of someone who had a big part in shaping many youngsters tastes.
Don't know what the listening figures are these days but as everything became more fragmented it lost that power.
Ah yes, and keeping them pretty much current and in order I might add! ;-)Oi! This is my week, you're just the lacky who's doing the admin...
When you get to Pete Townshend's short "Prelude", you'll know you've reached the Coda. I'll add nominations through Bimbo's Tuesday timeline BEFORE this track.I like a bit of Roxy, especially late smooth Roxy but MJ can do one. Never got on with his music.
John Landau? Manger of the Boss but finds time to direct a video by the king of pop? :)Last pick and very much of the year. I first saw this late one Friday night when I had finished my shift at the pub (I had a second job to help the family finances). I was in the habit of relaxing with a couple of cans and a packet of prawn cocktail crisps for an hour or so. Wife and kids in bed and have a watch of the telly. I quite liked /respected Jackson at the time - great pop music and I had never ever seen anything like this video produced if I remember by John Landau and its impact has probably never been surpassed by anyone. That initial Zombie dance, often copied but never bettered. Just a brilliant pieces of visual pop art.
Michael Jackson - Thriller
“Do you really want to hurt me?” was the Culture Club song that launched their career.Seeing how its all about synths, I really couldn't leave out Kate's 1982 single 'The Dreaming' from the album of the same name (often referred to as her 'Mad' album). Produced by herself it's Fairlight and gated drums heavy as she experimented with sound effects, new technology and her vocal range. Unfortunately this single about the destruction of the indigenous people of Australias land through Uranium mining had bloody Rolf on his digeridoo thing. Notwithstanding that its an interesting song from a completely bonkers album.
Kate Bush - The Dreaming
My third pick which i'm surprised hasn't already been nominated is pure pop but couldn't be left out. Jagger seemingly seeing the video of the song was quite taken with the good looking 'chick' lead singer.
Its a great vocal performance and ear worm and probably the best crafted single of the year. It also launched the career of a national treasure.
Culture Club - Karma Chameleon
Last pick and very much of the year. I first saw this late one Friday night when I had finished my shift at the pub (I had a second job to help the family finances). I was in the habit of relaxing with a couple of cans and a packet of prawn cocktail crisps for an hour or so. Wife and kids in bed and have a watch of the telly. I quite liked /respected Jackson at the time - great pop music and I had never ever seen anything like this video produced if I remember by John Landau and its impact has probably never been surpassed by anyone. That initial Zombie dance, often copied but never bettered. Just a brilliant pieces of visual pop art.
Michael Jackson - Thriller
You are absolutely correct and KC was 83 not 82…..slinks away in shame.“Do you really want to hurt me?” was the Culture Club song that launched their career.
I thought Karma Chameleon was from their second album?
I remember going to work the day after their TOTP’s debut and the main topic of conversation being “was it a male or female?”You are absolutely correct and KC was 83 not 82…..slinks away in shame.
Ignore that last nomination. I better go check bloody Thriller.
It was 82 but the Video was 83. Not my best hour :-)
He did. Bizarrely I remember my very strait laced Father In Law. Watching him on TOTP his face a picture of confusion and saying at the end. I like them, very catchy tune and the lead singer has a lovely voice.I remember going to work the day after their TOTP’s debut and the main topic of conversation being “was it a male or female?”
George certainly ruffled a few feathers back then!
Removed, awaiting any substitutions.You are absolutely correct and KC was 83 not 82…..slinks away in shame.
Ignore that last nomination.
The song itself still counts given the album came out in Nov 1982, even if the video with the single came out nearly a year later in Nov 1983. That album was certainly on the charts for a good run spanning years back then.I better go check bloody Thriller.
It was 82 but the Video was 83. Not my best hour :-)
I remember going to work the day after their TOTP’s debut and the main topic of conversation being “was it a male or female?”
George certainly ruffled a few feathers back then!