Roxy Music “Manifesto”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1053 in the Series) is Roxy Music, Manifesto The conventional wisdom surrounding Roxy Music seems to suggest that there are two distinct “periods” of the band’s initial existence. The first phase, from the band’s inception through 1976’s Siren, was characterized by dual predilections for high-brow artiness and otherworldly glamour; and the second phase, from 1979’s Manifesto through 1982’s Avalon, signaled the band’s transition into a brooding, stylish, and literate pop hit machine, helmed by Bryan Ferry’s inimitable voice and buoyed up by a small army of studio technicians. However, while there are undeniably two sonic phases to Roxy’s chronology, Manifesto, often hailed as the first album of Roxy’s later period, really finds...
ABC “The Lexicon of Love”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#1039 in the Series) is ABC, The Lexicon of Love When I pulled this one out for a listen I was really curious as to how it would sound, it’s been many years that I’ve listened to it. Sometimes these 80’s synth-pop or “New Romantics” genre bands don’t stand up so well. This stands up quite well I must say. I think that the bands high raw musicianship level has much to do with that. Just listen to Brad Lang’s bass push and highlight the opening number “Show Me,” or even on the hit “Poison Arrow.” It’s a shame that he was a guest musician and not an actual member. I’ve read some reviews...
The Silencers ‘A Letter From St. Paul’
Today’s Cool Album of The Day (#783 in the Series) is The Silencers, A Letter From St. Paul I’m curious as to how many of you are familiar with The Silencers. A show of hands please..one, two , three, four… oh, I see a few more in the back, not bad! Plus I know a few of our friends from Scotland know of them! That’s where they call home. This one is a little more obscure here in the States. This album was released in 1987. “Painted Moon” actually did get some play. To me though, the title cut, “A Letter From St. Paul” was the song not to miss. You can hear most of this one below. If...
Simple Minds “Sparkle in the Rain”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#776 in the Series) is Simple Minds, Sparkle in the Rain The band simple minds were one of those acts that really had to stick it out to find success. They first got together toward the end of the 70s. Their first album, Life in a Day did quite well in the UK peaking at #30. It didn’t get a whiff of play here in the states outside of a couple very progressive stations and some college radio. It would take three years and five more releases before an album even charted here. That would be New Gold Dreams which featured the hit “Promised You a Miracle.” Still, the album only reached #69...
Modern English “After the Snow”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#566 in the Series) is Modern English, After the Snow. Modern English was given a double-dose of good luck in 1982. You can’t find a bigger break than having one of your first singles included in a hit picture movie. This was the case when “I Melt With You” was part of the mix of “Valley Girl.” The second piece of good luck, well that’s easy. That piece would be the complete idiotic way that record companies and contract lawyers went about trying to secure deals for an official movie soundtrack. “I Melt With You” wasn’t the only great song in this movie. You also had The Payola$, “Eyes of a Stanger”,...
Roxy Music “Viva! Roxy Music”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#531 in the Series and #55 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Roxy Music, Viva! Roxy Music. After the 1975 Siren album and tour, Roxy Music decided to take a break. The break would end up being four years. They would next reunite for 1979’s Manifesto. During that time, they decided to release their first live album. That album was Viva! Roxy Music. The album would consist of shows from three different shows on three different tours. The first being 1973’s show at the Apollo in Glasgow. Next would be a 1974 show at City Hall in Newcastle and finally a 1975 show at Wembley Arena. It was a nice hold-over until the...
Roxy Music ” Flesh and Blood”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#451 in the Series) is Roxy Music, Flesh and Blood I see Avalon mentioned all the time. I see Country Life, Siren and some of the other albums mentioned all the time. What am I referring to? The answer to the question about ‘What is your favorite Roxy Music album. What I almost never see is Flesh and Blood. Having said that, when I do listen to this album, I find myself digging it as much as, if not more, those other classic titles. There might not be one song as perfect as ‘Avalon’ or as memorable as ’Do the Strand’ here, maybe that’s why it gets short changed. There also was a couple...
Ultravox “Monument”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#449 in the Series and #43 in the Live, Saturday Night Series) is Ultravox, Monument This album is a little different than most of the live albums that we feature here at the ol’ Cool Album-a-roo… Monument was released first as a video. Later on it was turned into a live EP. Then came along a more extended version and now we have a true live album. I guess this was done with The Cure once or twice as well too. They then released the video onto a DVD format and then released the album again. I’ve listed a bunch of the different combinations below. Don’t worry, there’s no quiz or anything. All...
Echo and The Bunnymen “Ocean Rain”
Today’s Cool Album Of the Day (#306 in the Series) is Echo and The Bunnymen, Ocean Rain. Echo and the Bunnymen were one of the leaders of the post punk movement of the early 80s. We previously discussed their great album from 1987. It was just self titled, “Echo and the Bunnymen.” That was my favorite album of that year. Today we’re going back a bit to 1984 and another one of their great releases, Ocean Rain. Ocean Rain was a little darker than the self-titled 1987 album. It featured some spectacular songs including one of their darkest, “Crown of Thorns.” Haunting is a word that could be used here as well. The title cut was another not to...
Talk Talk “The Party’s Over”
Today’s Cool Album of the Day (#244 in the Series) is Talk Talk, The Party’s Over. Talk Talk was another one one of those ‘New Romantic’ genre bands that emerged in the early 80s. As mentioned earlier, I was a big fan of that sound. I listened to a large amount of music from artists like Talk Talk, Icehouse, Ultravox, Echo and the Bunnymen etc. In 1982 Genesis did the only reunion show that they’ve ever done since Peter Gabriel left seven years earlier. Talk Talk, while still in their infancy, was the opening band. They were NOT received well at all. But oddly enough, about four years down later many Genesis fans would become fans as Talk Talk’s...
