Another dynamic debut from the early ‘80s today, we have “Beauty and the Beat” by The Go-Go’s. Rated as the #400 selection on Rolling Stone’s Top 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, this record is mainly about the two massive hit singles it produced. The rest of the record is pleasant but not terriblyContinue reading “The Go-Go’s “Beauty and the Beat” (1981)”
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Duran Duran “Duran Duran” (1981)
After several latest efforts from the vintage bands of the ‘60s and ‘70s, today we have our first new entrant of 1981, the band Duran Duran and their self-titled debut album. Not unlike U2, their music would advance with maturity and experience, but this first effort was a big success, starting primarily in theContinue reading “Duran Duran “Duran Duran” (1981)”
Van Halen “Fair Warning” (1981)
“Riff” – a short repeated phrase in popular music and jazz, typically used as an introduction or refrain in a song. That is the literal definition of a riff, and while there are countless guitar players who make their living with mean riffs, in my opinion, in the world of rock music, two guitaristsContinue reading “Van Halen “Fair Warning” (1981)”
The Who “Face Dances” (1981)
We have seen bands shut down after losing a key member, and we have seen them carry on, to mixed results. To the unfamiliar listener, I’m sure many people would look at the Who and ask, “how much of a difference can a drummer make, as long as the singer and lead songwriter areContinue reading “The Who “Face Dances” (1981)”
Rush “Moving Pictures” (1981)
Moving into 1981, we see an interesting mix of older bands delivering new material as they try to stay relevant with changing tastes, and you also see many new entrants as the evolving sound of the 1980s begins to surface. The first few selections are in the first category, and we start with CanadianContinue reading “Rush “Moving Pictures” (1981)”
REO Speedwagon “Hi Infidelity” (1980)
A bit of an interesting time capsule today, as 1980 winds down, the #1 selling album of 1981, “Hi Infidelity” by REO Speedwagon was released. If you weren’t around at the time, it may be hard to appreciate what a massive success this record was, emerging from a pack of AOR pop-rock acts likeContinue reading “REO Speedwagon “Hi Infidelity” (1980)”
John Lennon and Yoko Ono “Double Fantasy” (1980)
Back around 1980, the two things that really mattered to me in life were sports and music. On December 8th of that year, I never could have predicted how those worlds would intersect. Back then, our television choices were still very limited to the three major networks and one or two public broadcast stations. Continue reading “John Lennon and Yoko Ono “Double Fantasy” (1980)”
U2 “Boy” (1980)
An important debut for me today, the first album from Ireland’s legendary band U2. Ultimately, I was very excited to embrace U2 as an up-and-coming act that was on the ascent of their career, versus most of the acts I was listening to at this time that were at their peak in the 1960sContinue reading “U2 “Boy” (1980)”
Dire Straits “Making Movies” (1980)
Today’s album is a good one, but for me, this record, and in particular, two songs on it, represent friendship to me. Music has always been of the two main interests that bonded with me with my friends, with the other being our shared love of all things in sports. When I hear eitherContinue reading “Dire Straits “Making Movies” (1980)”
Bruce Springsteen “The River” (1980)
One of the mega-stars of the 1970s kept his momentum rolling into the 1980s with his double-album release, “The River”. I have said before that I am not a die-hard Bruce Springsteen fan by a long-shot, but I have enjoyed listening to his succession of albums as intended, and would rate this as myContinue reading “Bruce Springsteen “The River” (1980)”
A Lifetime-Plus of Music 