The 80's: Now & Then

17/06/2024

ALBUM ANNIVERSARY: The Police - SYNCHRONICITY
Synchronicity is the fifth and final studio album by the British rock band The Police, released June 17, 1983 by A&M Records. The band's most successful release, the album includes the hit singles "Every Breath You Take", "King of Pain", "Wrapped Around Your Finger", and "Synchronicity II".
In 2009, Synchronicity was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2023, the album was selected for preservation in the United States National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress as being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."
Synchronicity reached number one on both the UK Albums Chart and the US Billboard 200.
Fun Fact #1: The album was available in 36 variations, with different arrangements of the color stripes and showing different photographs of the band members.
Fun Fact #2: The original vinyl release was pressed on audiophile vinyl which appears black like most records, but is actually purple when held up to the light.
On July 26, 2024 a deluxe 6-CD box set (plus a 4-LP box set, picture disc LP, 2-CD and 2-LP colour vinyl) will be released to commemorate the 40th anniversary of Synchronicity. It features up to 55 previously unreleased tracks including all original 7” / 12” b-sides plus 11 exclusive non-album bonus tracks, 36 demos/early mixes plus a live show from the accompanying tour.

ORDER Super Deluxe 6-Disc CD : https://amzn.to/4c5IWS1

ORDER Super Deluxe 4 LP : https://amzn.to/4cqyynA

10/06/2024

Scritti Politti's second studio album, Cupid & Psyche 85, was released in the UK on June 10, 1985 by Virgin Records. It was produced by the great Arif Mardin along with the band. It's a really great album all the way through that sounds fantastic thanks to some big names (Jason Corsaro, Howard Gray, Gary Langan) at the controls.

Cupid & Psyche 85 peaked at #5 on the UK Albums chart, #50 on the US Billboard 200, #55 in Canada, and #59 in Australia.
Singles included:
"Wood Beez (Pray Like Aretha Franklin)" ( #10 UK, #4 US Hot Dance Club Play)
"Absolute" ( #17 UK, #10 Netherlands)
"Hypnotize"
"The Word Girl" ( #6 UK)
"Perfect Way" ( #11 Billboard Hot 100)

Cupid & Psyche 85 (LP): https://amzn.to/3RJvqeX
Cupid & Psyche 85 (CD): https://amzn.to/3KCpkZF

10/06/2024

What in the world is going on here?

David Lee RothInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/davidleerothFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/DavidLeeRothTwitter - https://twitter.com/DavidLeeRothWeb...

19/05/2024

Happy Birthday Grace Jones!
Born: May 19, 1948 (76)
Grace Jones is a Jamaican singer, songwriter, model and actress.

19/05/2024

Album Anniversary: May 19, 1986
Peter Gabriel: SO
“So” featured singles "Sledgehammer" "Don't Give Up" "In Your Eyes" "Big Time" and "Red Rain".
So was nominated for the Grammy Award for Album of the Year but lost to Paul Simon's Graceland. Rolling Stone included the album in their 2004 and 2020 editions of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
At the 1987 MTV Video Music Awards Gabriel was honored with the Video Vanguard Award and "Sledgehammer" won an additional nine awards including Video of the Year, a record that has not been challenged. Its video is the most played music video in the history of MTV.
So topped the charts in eight countries, but only reached #2 in the US.

15/05/2024

Released May 15, 1981 -- Squeeze - East Side Story -
East Side Story is the fourth studio album from the band and peaked at #19 on the UK Albums Chart ( #44 Billboard Pop Albums).
The album was mostly produced by Elvis Costello and Roger Bechirian, but a couple tracks were produced by Dave Edmunds and Nick Lowe.
Singles:
"In Quintessence" #39 Billboard Mainstream Rock
"Tempted" #8 Billboard Mainstream Rock

15/05/2024

Released May 15, 1983 -- The Fixx: Reach The Beach -
It features the singles, "Saved By Zero" ( #20 Billboard Hot 100), "One Thing Leads To Another" ( #4 Billboard Hot 100), and "Sign Of Fire" ( #32 Billboard Hot 100).

The album was produced by Rupert Hine and peaked at #8 on the Billboard 200 in the US.

14/05/2024

May 14, 1982 - The Fixx's debut album Shuttered Room was released in the UK. (It was later released in the US in August '82).
It was produced by Rupert Hine and featured the singles "Lost Planes", "Some People", "Stand or Fall", and "Red Skies".
It peaked at #133 on the US Billboard 200 chart.

13/05/2024

May 13, 1985 -- New Order released their third album Low-Life on Factory Records. It featured the singles The Perfect Kiss and Sub-Culture.
It peaked at #94 on the US Billboard 200 and #7 on the UK Albums chart.

11/05/2024

Released May 11, 1981 -- Grace Jones - Nightclubbing is the fifth studio album by the Jamaican singer and songwriter on Island Records. It was recorded at Compass Point Studios with producers Alex Sadkin and Island Records' president Chris Blackwell, as well as a team of session musicians rooted by rhythm section Sly and Robbie.
There were six singles released from Nightclubbing: "Demolition Man", "I've Seen That Face Before (Libertango)", "Pull Up to the Bumper", "Use Me", "Feel Up", and "Walking in the Rain"

Chart & Album Peak Position:
Australia - 19
Dutch Albums - 2
Germany - 8
New Zealand - 3
Norway - 19
Spain - 20
Sweden - 4
UK - 35
US Billboard 200 - 32
US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 9

Grace Jones - Nightclubbing (LP Vinyl)
https://amzn.to/4busUAs

Grace Jones - Nightclubbing (Remastered CD)
https://amzn.to/4af8eeI

11/05/2024

Released on May 11, 1981 -- Computer World (German: Computerwelt) is the eighth studio album by German electronic band Kraftwerk.
Computer World had five singles, "Pocket Calculator", "Computer Love", "Computerwelt", and "Numbers".

"Computer World" was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rock Instrumental Performance in 1982.

Dozens of artists since have used samples from the album in their own songs including Beck, Coldplay, Fergie, and LCD Sound System.

Chart & Peak Position
------------------------
US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums - 32
US Billboard 200 - 72
UK Albums - 15
Swedish Albums - 27
New Zealand - 28
Germany - 7
Austria - 14
Australia - 51

Computer World has been ranked:
• #2 - Best Albums of 1981 (NME)
• #25 - 100 Best Albums of the 80s (Slant Magazine)
• #18 - Best Albums of the 80s (Pitchfork)
• #53 - "Computer Love" Best Song of the 80s (Pitchfork)
• #10 - Greatest EDM Album of All Time (Rolling Stone)

10/05/2024

Happy Anniversary to one of my all-time favorite albums: Duran Duran RIO, released worldwide May 10, 1982.
So many great songs on this album! It peaked at number six on the Billboard 200 album chart in the US on 12 March 1983, and remained on the chart for 129 weeks.
• #1 CMJ Magazine "Top 20 Most-Played Albums of 1982"
• #98 Q magazine "100 Greatest British Albums"
• #24 HMV/Q Poll "Best British album of all time"
• #65 NME "100 Greatest Albums of All Time"
• #95 Pitchfork "Top 100 Albums of the 1980s"
• #3 BBC Radio 2's "Top 100 Favourite Albums of All Time"
• Pitchfork "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die"

10/05/2024

With Sympathy🌹-- Ministry's debut album on Arista was released May 10, 1983.
“Work for Love“ and “I Wanted to Tell Her” charted at 20 & 13 on Billboard US Dance chart in 1983. The album peaked at 94 on Billboard 200 in 1984.
“Revenge” was the lone video released (see the link below). Album has been reissued on cd and vinyl (see links below). “Effigy (I’m Not An)” was in HBO's Euphoria Season 2, Episode 3.
Great synth pop album! If you haven't heard it, check it out!

17/04/2024

35 years! Pixies DOOLITTLE was released April 17, 1989.
Doolittle is widely regarded as one of the best alternative rock albums of the 1980s.
The singles were "Monkey Gone to Heaven", "Here Comes Your Man", and "Debaser"

Doolittle 25 (Remastered/Expanded): DELUXE EDITION : 3CD set. Includes 35 BONUS tracks of B-sides, demo's, live Peel Sessions and rarities!
https://amzn.to/3vMq3nr

Doolittle (Remastered)
https://amzn.to/4456LpN

25/03/2024

Happy Birthday to The Power Station's debut album released March 25, 1985.
The Power Station was a supergroup comprised of Robert Palmer, John & Andy Taylor (Duran Duran), and Tony Thompson (Chic). It was produced by Bernard Edwards (Chic).

The album peaked at No. 6 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 12 on the UK Albums Chart.

It featured three singles "Some Like It Hot", "Get It On (Bang A Gong)", and "Communication".

22/12/2023

Here's a playlist with three Christmas Specials I've done over the years. They're totally jam packed with 80s artists! Happy Holidays!!

https://www.mixcloud.com/Brians_World/playlists/80s-now-then-christmas/

26/09/2023

Lots of interesting music releases coming up the last couple months of the year...

* September 29 *
Green Day: Dookie (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition) [Reprise]
https://amzn.to/3RBJmsa

* October 6 *
Dogstar: Somewhere Between the Power Lines and Palm Trees [Dillon Street]
- Keanu Reeves band
https://amzn.to/3LCZCp0

Hüsker Dü: Tonite Longhorn [Reflex]
https://amzn.to/3rlXlHR

Pale Saints: In Ribbons (30th Anniversary Reissue) [4AD]
https://amzn.to/46o7Bhs

Various: The NID Tapes: Electronic Music From India 1969​-​1972 [The State51 Conspiracy]
- Collection of early Indian electronic music uncovered at the archives of the National Institute of Design. Minimalist electronic music.
https://amzn.to/3Fd3t8F

* October 13 *
Chvrches: The Bones of What You Believe (10th Anniversary Edition) [Glassnote]
https://amzn.to/3RxW6Qf

* October 20 *
Devo: 50 Years of De-Evolution 1973–2023 [Rhino]
https://amzn.to/48p1BHf

Duff McKagan (Guns N' Roses): Lighthouse (Deluxe) [The World Is Flat]
https://amzn.to/3Zz1rJ7

Pip Blom: Bobbie [Heavenly]
- This is a newer band we think might interest some 80s fans.
https://amzn.to/3PAwTlA

The Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds [Geffen]
https://amzn.to/4538HOt

The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow (20th Anniversary Remaster) [Sub Pop]
https://amzn.to/3rlXKtR

* October 27 *
Duran Duran: Danse Macabre [BMG]
https://amzn.to/457JC51

OMD: Bauhaus Staircase [White Noise Touring]
https://amzn.to/3PRZZ18

Johnny Marr: Spirit Power: The Best of Johnny Marr [BMG]
https://amzn.to/3EUfZcY

Lol Tolhurst, Budgie & Jacknife Lee: Los Angeles [PIAS]

The Kills: God Games [Domino]
https://amzn.to/3LCHTh7

Nirvana: In Utero (30th Anniversary Super Deluxe) [Geffen/UMe]
https://amzn.to/3ZuwO7H

Prince & The New Power Generation: Diamonds and Pearls (Super Deluxe Edition) [Warner]
https://amzn.to/3PSguJJ

* November 10 *
New Order: Substance (2023 Expanded Reissue) [Warner]
https://amzn.to/3LAK8By

R.E.M.: Up (25th Anniversary Edition) [Craft]
https://amzn.to/46tTeID

Scream: DC Special [Dischord]

* November 17 *
Dolly Parton: Rockstar [Butterfly]
- Feat. Sting, Joan Jett, Debbie Harry, Elton John, Simon LeBon, Pat Benetar, Paul McCartney, and more!
https://amzn.to/3ZudmYN

Vince Clarke (Erasure/Depeche Mode/Yazoo): Songs of Silence [Mute]
https://amzn.to/46ry7GJ

21/09/2023

Duran Duran has released the second single, "Black Moonlight" from their upcoming album Danse Macabre. The song features both Nile Rodgers and Andy Taylor on guitar.
Check it out...

Provided to YouTube by BMG Rights Management (US) LLCBLACK MOONLIGHT · Duran DuranBLACK MOONLIGHT℗ 2023 Tape Modern under exclusive license to BMG Rights Man...

19/09/2023

Duran Duran's music video for the first single/title track from their upcoming album "Danse Macabre"
https://youtu.be/BpWrSTBP5rg?si=iKL0U-YzMMoQxXwT

This album sees the original line-up back together for many of the tracks as Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon reunite for the first time since 2004’s Astronaut! Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo also guests on a couple of songs (including the title track).

Danse Macabre is a spooky 13-song collection which features three brand new songs, covers of classic tracks from artists such as Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones and Siouxsie and the Banshees and five new versions of Duran Duran classics.

Duran Duran 'Danse Macabre' Track List:
Nightboat
Black Moonlight *
Love Voudou
Bury A Friend (Billie Eilish cover)
Supernature (Cerrone cover)
Danse Macabre *
Secret Oktober 31st
Ghost Town (Specials cover)
Paint It Black (Rolling Stones cover)
Super Lonely Freak (Duran/Rick James mash-up)
Spellbound (Siouxsie & the Banshees cover)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads cover)
Confession in the Afterlife *

Duran Duran's new album ‘Danse Macabre’ will be available October 27th!
You can order the CD here:
https://amzn.to/45Pw4Mf
You can order the 2-disc vinyl here:
https://amzn.to/47OSSOh

Official music video for Duran Duran’s “Danse Macabre”Stream + Download: https://duranduran.lnk.to/DanseMacabreFPPre-order Duran Duran’s album “Danse Macabre...

19/09/2023

The music video for Peter Gabriel's single "Panopticom (Dark-Side Mix)" created by Stephen Grzanowski AKA Vnderworld.

Panopticom video created by Vnderworld. The song is taken from Peter Gabriel's forthcoming album i/o. This video was created by Stephen Grzanowski AKA Vnderw...

19/09/2023

New single from OMD "Slow Train" from their forthcoming album, Bauhaus Staircase, out October 27th.
https://youtu.be/4sGJvNJ6RgM?si=iqVubxVigMyyO8it

You can order it here... https://amzn.to/460jQkw

Taken from the forthcoming OMD studio album Bauhaus Staircase Learn more: http://BauhausStaircase.com/Created by the team at Cine1080Studio:Official Website:...

31/08/2023

Duran Duran's New studio album ‘Danse Macabre’ – available October 27th!

This album sees the original line-up back together for many of the tracks as Nick Rhodes, Andy Taylor, Roger Taylor, John Taylor, and Simon Le Bon reunite for the first time since 2004’s Astronaut! Guitarist Warren Cuccurullo also guests on a couple of songs (including the title track).

Inspired by the band’s one-off, 2022 Halloween show at the Encore Theater at Wynn in Las Vegas, Danse Macabre is a spooky, 13-song collection which features three brand new songs, covers of classic tracks from artists such as Talking Heads, The Rolling Stones and Siouxsie and the Banshees and five new versions of Duran Duran classics, including ‘Night Boat’, ‘Union of the Snake’ ‘Secret Oktober’, ‘Love Voodoo’ and ‘Lonely in Your Nightmare’, which is mashed up with with a cover of Rick James’ ‘Super Freak’ for a song called ‘Super Lonely Freak’. In total, nine of the album’s 13 tracks were performed for last year’s Halloween show.

Duran Duran 'Danse Macabre' Track List:
Nightboat
Black Moonlight *
Love Voudou
Bury A Friend (Billie Eilish cover)
Supernature (Cerrone cover)
Danse Macabre *
Secret Oktober 31st
Ghost Town (Specials cover)
Paint It Black (Rolling Stones cover)
Super Lonely Freak (Duran/Rick James mash-up)
Spellbound (Siouxsie & the Banshees cover)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads cover)
Confession in the Afterlife *

You can order the CD here:
https://amzn.to/45Pw4Mf

You can order the 2-disc vinyl here:
https://amzn.to/47OSSOh

Duran Duran - DANSE MACABRE

27/08/2023

It's not synth pop anymore, but it's still a great song. Watch Ministry perform "Revenge" from the album With Sympathy for the first time in 40 years...

First live performance in 40 years of Revenge by Ministry off the 1983 debut album With Sympathy. Freaks on Parade Tour 2023Dallas TX

24/08/2023

Duran Duran to release a new single on August 30, 2023! The song is one of a dozen new tracks from an upcoming album to be released in October 27, 2023. The album will reportedly feature three new DD songs plus 10 cover songs. Some of those covers are reworkings of classic Duran Duran songs and will feature former members Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo.

24/08/2023

The first single from Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark's upcoming album Bauhaus Staircase is out. OMD's 14th album will be released October 27, 2023.

Watch the music video for the title track, "Bauhaus Staircase": https://youtu.be/EFpIz0RQU9c?si=SgBgpuRL5Po8wl8m

You can order your vinyl copy here... https://amzn.to/44nmv6e

24/07/2023

Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee have announced their debut album Los Angeles due out November 3rd via Play It Again Sam Records. The 13 track album features an amazing list of guest vocalists and musicians including James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem), The Edge and many more.

Made up of two of the most inventive drummers of the post-punk era, The Cure’s Lol Tolhurst, and Budgie (Siouxsie & The Banshees/The Creatures), along with producer and multi-instrumentalist Garret ‘Jacknife’ Lee (U2, R.E.M., The Killers, Bloc Party), this supergroup have spent the last four years recording. In addition to James Murphy (LCD Soundsystem) and The Edge (U2), other guest credits include Bobby Gillespie (Primal Scream), artist/activist Lonnie Holley, harpist Mary Lattimore, Arrow de Wilde (Starcrawler), Isaac Brock (Modest Mouse), Pan Amsterdam, and Mark Bowen (IDLES).

Lol Tolhurst x Budgie x Jacknife Lee - Los Angeles
1. “This Is What It Is (To Be Free)” (with Bobby Gillespie)
2. “Los Angeles” (with James Murphy)
3. “Uh Oh” (with Arrow de Wilde and Mark Bowen)
4. “Ghosted At Home” (with Bobby Gillespie)
5. “Train With No Station” (with The Edge)
6. “Bodies” (with Lonnie Holley and Mary Lattimore)
7. “Everything And Nothing”
8. “Travel Channel” (with Pan Amsterdam)
9. “Country Of The Blind” (with Bobby Gillespie)
10. “The Past (Being Eaten)”
11. “We Got To Move” (with Isaac Brock)
12. “Noche Oscura” (with The Edge)
13. “Skins” (with James Murphy)

The project was initially conceived as a trio of drummers including Kevin Haskins of Bauhaus, Tones on Tail and Love and Rockets, but then “Kevin had to go and play with Bauhaus,” Tolhurst said. At the time, they thought the record would be out by the end of 2020.

Along with the announcement the band have shared the album’s title track and first single/video which features vocals from James Murphy. Check it out here...

Stream "Los Angeles (feat. James Murphy)" here: https://pias.ffm.to/los-angeles-singleSpecial thanks to: Mason SilvaDirected by: John LiwagExecutive Producer...

19/07/2023

The B-52’s’ Cindy Wilson Releases New Single “Delirious”

The B-52’s might have called it quits, but co-founder Cindy Wilson is keeping the synth-punky spirit alive with her sophomore solo album Realms on August 25 via Kill Rock Stars.

Official artwork video for "Delirious" by Cindy Wilson. From the forthcoming album, "Realms", out August 25th on Kill Rock Stars and available to pre-order n...

15/05/2023

Happy Release Anniversary to...
The Fixx: Reach The Beach (1983)
Reach The Beach features the hit singles, "Saved By Zero" and "One Thing Leads To Another".
It was the group's most successful studio album, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard albums chart. The album was certified Platinum by the RIAA. It was certified platinum in Canada in November 1983.
The album's iconic cover art was by George Underwood, who went on to illustrate future Fixx releases including Phantoms (1984), Calm Animals (1989), and Beautiful Friction (2012).
Produced by the great Rupert Hine (who is also responsible for great albums from Howard Jones, Tina Turner, Stevie Nicks, Duncan Sheik, and others).

25/03/2023

March 25, 1985 -- The Power Station released their debut album featuring singles “Some Like It Hot", “Bang A Gong (Get It On)", and “Communication".
The supergroup was made up of Robert Palmer, Tony Thompson (Chic), and Duran Duran’s John Taylor & Andy Taylor.

06/03/2023

New music video from Sparks... ‘The Girl Is Crying in Her Latte’ starring Cate Blanchett is the first video from their new album.

Music video for The Girl Is Crying In Her Latte by Sparks, from the new album of the same title out May 26th.Pre-order the album now: https://sparks.lnk.to/a...