I love my music, yes. But any of you have come to know me, I love my hockey too. I'm starting to get chills and goosebumps at the thought of the young spunky US hockey team at the top of the world in pucks. 30 years after the greatest sports moment I am so jealous to have not been able to absorb, I will discuss some underground tracks I love from the year 1980. In 1980 Punk bands were starting to turn from garage noise, to a more artistic and less abrasive product. The biggest example of this is the indulgent 3 LP length of The Clash - Sandinista. Sandinista has it all. Pure Punk track "Police on My Back", a cover of Eddy Grant's first band the Equals, is quite possibly one of their finest songs. The Clashes travels to Jamaica had left a profound impression as they use many elements of Dub Reggae sound pioneered by Lee Scratch Perry and Mikey Dread. Dread would produce the Dubby track "Bankrobber" Dance music finds it's way onto this album in the form of "Lightning Strikes", and the practically hip-hip of "The Magnificent 7". Songs "Broadway", "Charlie Don't Surf", and "Washington Bullets" show the subtle side of the highly adaptable Clash. Sandinista is an album that typifies what 1980 was about for underground music.
Punk becoming art rock is also displayed by one of my favorite recent finds, Magazine. Howard Devoto, quit The Buzzcocks for he wanted more art in his punk. 1980 Blessed us with magazine's "Correct Use of Soap" a great album to with it's great title. The songs "Because You're Frightened", "Model Worker", and "Philadelphia, along with "Songs From Under the Floorboards" are some of the greatest blending of great lead and bass guitar licks along with the always controversial Synthesizer. If you cringe at Synth and needs the more organic instruments, Magazine may not be for you. I suggest trying them.
The Only Ones released a breathtaking blend of Punk and Power Pop in "Baby's Got a Gun". This album is not the critical darling to most that their first two were, but I think it's their most focused and fun full album effort. The Grandiose Tympanic sound of "The Happy Pilgrim" gets the album started wonderfully. "Deadly Nightshade" has an incredible Bass line that any aspiring Bassist would love to analyze. "Oh Lucinda (Love Become a Habit)" is a strong song, that wraps up with a tease of Guitar lick that is so crunchy, you'll need to let it sit in the milk a minute. Tracks, "Strange Mouth", "My Way Out of Here" and the pretty duo, with Pauline Murray of Penetration, named "Fools" is an old country track pulled off by theses punks.
Other great offerings from 1980's Underground
Great albums not likely on your radar
"Underwater Moonlight" from the Soft Boys
"Where Have all the Nice Girls Gone" by Any Trouble is a band derived from Elvis Costello's sound.
"Dirty Looks" by Dirty Looks. Had two awesome tracks with "You're Too Old" and "Automatic Pilot"
"I just Can't Stop It" by The English Beat is one of the finest Ska albums of all time.
"Crashes" by The Records is a Power Pop delight with songs "Same Mistakes" and "Rumor Sets the Woods Alight"
"Black Sea" by XTC is a high water mark for a great band. "Generals and Majors", and "Respectable Street" are splendid.
"Hypnotised" by The Undertones, with a track by the same name, and "Tearproof" are among the Northern Ireland band's finest
"Pretenders" by the Pretenders. Hardly underground but amazing album just the same. "Mystery Achievement" is awesome
"Los Angeles" by X is a rockabilly punk album led by a enigmatic Exene Cervenka. Queue up "Johnny Hit and Run Pauline"
"Crazy Rhythms" by the Feelies is a New Jersey product that helped pioneer Jangle Pop. Track "Crazy Rhythms" is the apex.
" A Different Kind of Tension" by the Buzzcocks
Great Albums by some Classic Artists
"Women and Children First" by Van Halen Romeo's Delight folks, say no more.
"Joe's Garage" by Frank Zappa
"The Game" by Queen
"Making Movies" by Dire Straits
"Duke" by Genesis
"Ace of Spades" by Motorhead
"Back in Black" by AC/DC
"Bad Luck Streak in Dancing School" by Warren Zevon
"Blizzard of Ozz" by Ozzy Osbourne Ozzy at his finest and with Randy Rhoades
"British Steel" by Judas Priest
"Cristopher Cross" by the same fella with a Yacht Rock masterpiece
"Gaucho" by Steely Dan
"Glass Houses" by Billy Joel
"Uprising" by Bob Marley
Great hidden tracks of 1980
"There There My Dear" by Dexy's Midnight Runners. This song puts Come on Eileen to shame in my mind.
"When You're in Love With a Beautiful Woman" by Dr Hook is a classic example of Yacht Rock
"Shining Star" by The Manhattans is another Yacht Rocker. Sooo pretty.
"Blue Boy" by Orange Juice. This UK New Wave band was the starting point for Edwyn Collins
"Academy Fight Song" by Mission of Burma is a Boston punk must have.
"Teacher Teacher" by Rockpile is another classically written Nick Lowe song.
"Final Day" by Young Marble Giants is an example of Punk Minimalism.
"Am I Supposed to Lie" is Tommy Tutone's song that shows they were not a crappy band despite being a one hit wonder.
"Boys in The Gang" by 999 is a punk song that has plenty of pop accessibility to it.
"Sleepwalk" by Ultravox
"Over You" by Roxy Music
"Endless Night" by Graham Parker. Backed up by the Boss? Now that takes a respected pub rocker. Graham Parker my favorite.
That's is for now.
Best part is now that you guys get to tell me who I forgot. Please do.
Check out new tracks this week by Frightened Rabbit, and Sambassadeur. I will tell you which ones next time.
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