Public Image Ltd - Flowers of Romance (1981)

 

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There's much fuss about PiL's 3rd offering. Some referring to it as the most uncommercial album ever delivered to  record company. Well, they should've waited a few years for that gem to actually arrive. I’m sure Johnny boy didn’t give a fuck. Personally, I find this set to be the most approachable out of PiLs entire catalog. The sound is percussion heavy, and sometimes even droning, but so pleasing. I hear an old rumor from a slightly refutable source that at some point during the recording, the band used anything they could get their hands on as an instrument. From a dirty wet box, to beat-up suitcase. But who cares? The record jams and it's obvious by how much fun they're having. Just look at the cover. Spin it, you'll be pleased. 

Flowers of Romance

BPeople - BPeople (1981)

 

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I got turned on to these guys just a few weeks ago, courtesy of the internet and all of it's glorious gems, tucked away in the further reaches of Google. Right out of the gates this smacks you in the face and pulls you in for a short, but excellent ride. It's tender and inviting, but loud and noisy all at once. I've been listening to this at pretty much at all times of the day. Have some fun with this one.

BPeople

The Cut - Shadow Talks (1981)

 

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I've had a steady diet of New Wave/Post-Punk the last week or more. It's most definitely because lately I've been filling my head with some of the foulest black metal the internet could share with me. Shadow Talks is so refreshing after all of that darkness. All of the pieces fit perfectly together like a deliciously balanced meal but for your ears. Guilt-free calories. It's best enjoyed around midday, right after lunch kicks in and the clock starts dragging it's ass and makes quitting time feel like an eternity away. The stark keys and jangling guitars blow the cobwebs out of my ears and perks me up to make that final stretch for the end. But mostly it's because the rhythm section is fucking killer and I can't help but shake my ass, so there's that. It's a banger of a debut to say the least. Click below for a good time.

Shadow Talks

Spherical Objects - Past & Parcel (1978)

 

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I've been obsessing over this record for the better half of this week. There's something about the cheesy keys and jangly guitars that make this so fucking fun to spin. Not to mention Solamar's weirdo vocals, that's an experience in of itself. They sound familiar, but I can't place from where. It's all just neatly packaged into a great listening experience. Standout for me would definitely have to be Lover Flow and it's absolute perfect placement on the record. Grab it, jam it, love it.

Past & Parcel

The Ex - Disturbing Domestic Peace (1980)

 

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It's ridiculously eerie just how familiar this album feels, as if all of the lyrics and subject matter are still relevant here and now in 2021? Anyway, this is the Dutch Punks debut record and it kicks right out of the gates. It's 28 minutes of piss and vinegar, scratchy, bass-heavy truths, spitting them right in your face. The Ex went on to create wild Punk-World-Fusion, that I honestly believe The Police were attempting to channel, before all of the money and love songs kicked in. Do your ears a favor and spin this. Preferably while wearing a torn leather jacket and drinking a beer.

Disturbing Domestic Peace

The Jesus & Mary Chain - Psychocandy (1985)

 

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If the lights are too bright, and the world is too loud, nurse your hangover with The Jesus & Mary Chain's debut album. It's chock-full of shoegazy jams with pop sensibilities that will help ease your pounding brains, and shrink them back down to an tolerable size. Click the link and spin this album. Start your year off right.

Psychocandy

Gavin Friday - Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves (1989)

 

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Further down the rabbit hole we've discovered that Friday's solo work so far has a very sultry, dare I say 1983 vibe to it, and I am into that. Say what you will but Tom is a genius. 

The earlier mentioned Virgin Prunes now ex-vocalist had a chance to stretch out and produce a set of cabaret inspired pop tunes. There's a certain sense of content, but also a longing sadness with this set. It  could very well be my own sadness manifesting itself through this album? Either way you feel it, the band is on-fucking-point.

 

Each Man Kills the Thing He Loves

Cocteau Twins - Garlands (1982)

 

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Anytime I hear this record it reminds me of my grandfather's house. He had a pair of love birds that would coo just like Fraser does all over this album. While her voice is sweet, and hypnotic, and most inviting, those fucking birds irritated the shit out of me. But while this spins, by the time I've reached Grail Overfloweth, I've forgotten about those birds. 

Garlands

Virgin Prunes - ...If I Die, I Die (1982)

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My good friend James suggested I go back and 'revisit' the first 4-5 U2 albums, and naturally like any stoner nerd I looked the records up. My insatiable appetite for dumbass music knowledge led me to Dik Evans, and thus Virgin Prunes found their way into my ears. I honestly anticipated this record to be over the top bullshit noise, based on the cover alone, but fortunately these chaps had some chops and I was thoroughly pleased.

...If I Die, I Die