Interactive Poll XXVI: The Dreadful Decade

Lewian:  Fehlfarben “Hutschlaeger”  Certainly has a sort of sound of some 80’s punkish music, early Talking Heads-ish, perhaps?.  The vocals are rather harsh, but suits the lyrics.  There is a rhythmic, almost jarring sort of guitar (or is it a synth) throughout, percussion adjoining it and some sproingy sounds, the piece ends abruptly.  Black “Leave Yourself Alone”  Has a nice, quirky start with guitars and synths, some cool percussion by xylophone sounding instrument or synth.  Has those 80’s drums, a male lead vocal with some pretty good range, he goes more falsetto in the chorus.  A bit of horns in the middle for interest. 

Shadowyzard:  Freeez “IOU”  Synth-y dancy- bass and that signature sound of drums of the 80’s.  High high voices, very poppy song, meant perhaps for dance clubs.  Certainly MTV-conscious with good looking people abounding and Michael Jackson style choreography.  Out of competition with Modern Talking “In 100 Years”  Again, synth heavy and more high voiced male singing.  Also MTV ready with good looks and this time, high cheekbones and long tresses on the lead singer….am I writing a music review or judging a beauty contest (laughs at myself)….No mistake, looks were very important for the MTV generation.  This one feels a bit manufactured to me.  Also out of competition, Voyage Voyage “Desireless”  Can’t tell much from the lyrics, but this one is also meant for dance clubs, with steady beat and a sensuous vocal.  Can’t tell for certain whether the singer is male or female (if the cover photo is the lead singer), but androgyny was also a big thing then.  There is a sort of sadness in the sound to me, I do like the vocals, thinking by the end, it was more certainly a female.  Followed in a bit by “Every Sperm Is Sacred” from Monty Python’s “The Meaning of Life”  Of course I’ve seen this and it’s very fun, especially with the kids grinning and bouncing along and singing angelically.  😊

Logan:  The Passions “I’m in Love with a German Film Star” Here come those drums again.  Bass and synths as well, the guitars are kind of watery and interesting, feels less poppy until the singing begins.  Which is not a criticism, the 80’s had a lot of what I considered good pop, as did the 60’s, at least from my viewpoint.  Anyway female vocalist with lots of effect on her voice, a bit nonchalant of a vibe to this, sort of observing dispassionately and commenting.  Bauhaus “In the Flat Field”  This is much more driving than the first with whanging guitars, bass rumbling along steadily with drums.  A basement sound to the recording.  Another sort of talking-singer, another side to the 80’s, with sarcastic anger songs.  I like the guitars and such, not as fond of the vocals, although I do enjoy the vehemence.  Phew “Signal”  Begins with some quirky, repetitive guitar lines and poppy giant rubber band accents, along with percussive sounds behind it all.  Very punky vocalist, not sure what the song is about, but I sure wouldn’t cross her.  Maybe she could use a cup of coffee or a Quaalude.  Or both!  The Divinyls “Good Die Young”  Lots of attitude from the female lead singer.  Kind of a synth-y rock-y feel to this. This is actually the one I like the best of yours, I do remember the band (from their US hit, “I Touch Myself”), but not this song (which predates that). 

Cristi:  Casual Affairs “Emotional Man”  This one has one of the warbling type vocalists which were heard from time to time in the 80’s.  I actually like that style, like here, when it’s coupled with a good singer, definitely high on the emotional end.  This has the signature drum sound and synths, but it’s a bit on the darker side, which I quite like.  Jean Beauvior “Missing the Young Days”  Here is someone whose vocals remind me of a hybrid of Bruce Springsteen and Prince.  The song is couched in a very 80’s synth setting, and It is very wistful and backwards looking in feel, in missing the young days.  Another singer with a passionate voice, I think I prefer the previous one to this, however.  Night Ranger “Love Is Standing Near”  Here is a more straight-forward offering, I remember this band well, but not the song in particular.  Rock with the obligatory synths of the era, this time more harder rock.  a-ha “Manhattan Skyline”  A ballad now, with the superb vocalist of this band…never heard this before.   The song begins with the known high end voice of this singer, then goes into a harder-edged vocal and harmonies.  Really interesting production as the song pivots from sublime to the edgier parts….kind of reflections of a Manhattan skyline, from the tallest heights down to the street level.  Simple Minds “Glittering Prize”  This one I remember well, quite enjoyed this band back in the day.  This one has the kind of bright and sparkly sound of the era with Jim Kerr’s emotive vocals delivering the lyrics of hope that the glitter won’t fade.