Joe Jackson’s Rain underscored a complete modern-era return to form
Released 10 years ago this month, ‘Rain’ confirmed that it was time to start paying attention to Joe Jackson again.
Post Tagged with: "We used to call this alternative"
Gary Numan – Telekon (1980): On Second Thought
While ‘Telekon’ went on to inspire many new wave synth-pop artists during the ’80s, Gary Numan’s time in the spotlight wouldn’t last long.
The Undertones – True Confessions: Singles = A’s + B’s (1999): Forgotten Series
The Undertones produced outstanding songs, but they unfortunately never netted enough sales to acquire widespread notice, remaining a cult favorite.
The Cure, May 26, 2016: Shows I’ll Never Forget
The Cure frontman Robert Smith’s uncanny way of putting words to music, making the sum of the two something more than its parts, remains unparalleled.
Speed the Plough – Now (2015)
Juggling pop rocking finesse with experimental episodes, Speed the Plough is still mixing and mashing genres. Democracy remains the key word on ‘Now.’
Talking Heads, “Crosseyed and Painless” from Remain in Light (1980): One Track Mind
“Crosseyed and Painless,” released as part of ‘Remain in Light’ on Oct. 8, 1980, got at something deeper about the ’80s – and the Talking Heads.
Todd Rundgren jumpstarted the New Cars’ surprisingly fun It’s Alive
The New Cars, who released their lone album on June 6, 2006, made a canny choice in replacing Ric Ocasek with the multi-talented Todd Rundgren.
Violent Femmes, “Love Love Love Love Love” (2015): One Track Mind
An unexpected Violent Femmes reunion a few years ago didn’t seem to produce anything in the way of new music. At least, until now.
The Replacements collapsed in a heap of success with Don’t Tell A Soul
With ‘Don’t Tell A Soul,’ released on Feb. 1, 1989, the Replacements tried to move on from fashioning art out of chaos. Instead, they imploded.
Sleater-Kinney – No Cities to Love (2015)
Sleater-Kinney’s ‘No Cities to Love’ is a set of 10 sharp daggers, clocking in at just a little over 30 minutes and leaving the place a damn wreck.
