Red
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Post by Red on Jan 31, 2017 23:42:36 GMT -5
Would new reviews count? ;) 18Tears For Fears - Sowing the Seeds of LoveWhen Was It #1?: October 14th, 1989Here's a song that went to #2 on the Hot 100, hit #1 in Canada, went top five in the UK, and was a number one hit on this particular chart...and yet, even as soemone who's kind of familiar with Tears For Fears, I do not remember having heard this song. Has this song just not had ANY staying power in nearly thirty years? The meaning behind the song itself is definitely tied in to the period that the song was made, but, even as someone that listens to Alternative music, I can not recall a point where I heard this song on the radio or as a passerby.
And yet, as I listen to it, as I hear the Beatles influence, as I listen to how political the song is (about Roland Orzabal becoming more interested in politics...and, subsequently, NOT liking Margaret Thatcher)...I feel like I've missed out on something wonderful here. And I REALLY was not kidding about "Sowing the Seeds of Love" having a Beatles influence. It sounds like a late-60's Beatles track recorded in the late 80's, mixed in with overtly political lyrics straight out of John Lennon's playbook. This is my favorite discovery so far, and I'm actually upset with myself that I don't remember listening to this before.
****1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jan 31, 2017 23:58:22 GMT -5
19Camper Van Beethoven - Pictures of Matchstick MenWhen Was It #1?: October 21st-November 4th, 1989I'm actually more familiar with the band that Camper Van Beethoven covered here than Camper Van Beethoven themselves. Status Quo, believe it or not, have more charting hits in the UK than ANY other band, including over 20 top 10 tracks. They OPENED Live Aid in 1985 at Wembley. Needless to say, Status Quo are a pretty big deal...in the UK and in Europe. In the US, they only had one hit: "Pictures of Matchstick Men". It's decidedly of its time period, but that's part of its charm. A large number of acts have covered this particular song, including Type O Negative and Kasabian, but perhaps the most noteworthy cover is this one.
Whereas Status Quo went for a hippie-psychedelic feel with the song, Camper Van Beethoven goes for more of a Tom Petty/Led Zeppelin hybrid. The result is pretty effective for a cover, amping up the intensity to 11, but also making sure to keep in the original's undeniable charm. It's a fitting (initial) swan song for Camper Van Beethoven, who broke up for well over a decade after the release of what would be their biggest song.
***1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Feb 1, 2017 0:10:23 GMT -5
20Ian McCulloch - Proud to FallWhen Was It #1?: November 11th-December 2nd, 1989I did not know that Echo and the Bunnymen singer Ian McCulloch had a solo career. This thread is actually doing a really good job of reminding me that, as much as I think I know about music, I still have a lot to learn. As it turns out, McCulloch left Echo and the Bunnymen to pursue a solo career. He also did this under the assumption that Echo and the Bunnymen would also stop without him. He was wrong. The Bunnymen pressed on without McCulloch, and McCulloch embarked on a solo career...a solo career that, again, I wasn't aware of before this review. Sigh.
But what about that solo career? Well, if the first single, "Proud to Fall", is any indication, McCulloch's decision to go solo wasn't the best one. Is it a bad song? Nah, not even close. But it's kind of unremarkable, and saying that about the band that gave us "The Killing Moon" seems a little crazy. Maybe I'll dive into his solo career more, to see if there's magic to be found elsewhere, but I'm not sold on the first impression.
**1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Feb 1, 2017 0:22:03 GMT -5
21Kate Bush - Love and AngerWhen Was It #1?: December 9th-December 23rd, 1989Alright, yes! Finally, I get to cover Kate Bush. I don't have a great knowledge of Kate Bush or her music, but this thread was designed to delve further into certain artists' discographies that I wasn't as familiar with as I should have been, and Kate Bush is definitely one of those "certain artists". I'm familiar with some of Kate Bush's work, of course. Who doesn't know "Running Up That Hill" or "Wuthering Heights"? What kind of baffles me about Kate Bush is that "Running Up That Hill" is the only top 40 hit that Bush had over here in the States. I've just assumed over the years that Kate Bush was this world-conquering icon, but that definitely wasn't as much of the case as I once thought.
I'm also familiar with some of her "lesser-known" songs, like this one, "Love and Anger". I've kind of always thought of Kate Bush as a "harder-edged, better Tori Amos", and "Love and Anger" definitely fits that description to a t. It chugs along and is carried to a higher plane of existence thanks to one of the most commanding presences in all of music. Kate Bush is an artist in every sense of the word, and you get the sense of her art within "Love and Anger". There's only one artist that can pull off Kate Bush this well, and that's Kate Bush. Everyone else just cannot hope to compare. Is this my favorite song I've reviewed so far? Probably not. But it's close, definitely up there as one of the best so far.
****1/4/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Mar 22, 2017 1:15:23 GMT -5
At the very least, I'm consistent with my inconsistency to post these reviews. 22
The Jesus and Mary Chain - Blues from a GunWhen Was It #1?: December 30th, 1989-January 13th, 1990Took me way too long, but here we are...the first Alternative #1 of the 1990s! And what a band to kick off one of the great decades in music history, The Jesus and Mary Chain. Of course, you may (or may not) have heard that the Chain are just about to release their first album in almost twenty years, but "Blues from a Gun", the first single off of their third album, Automatic, sees the Chain starting to really rocket up in popularity beyond just the United Kingdom, particularly in the US. They would go on to have other top five Alt hits, but this, to my surprise, was their only #1. "Head On" didn't get to #1. Nor did their other big Alt hits. Surprise, surprise. But anywho, "Blues from a Gun". Here's what I can say about the song: It's DEFINITELY a Jesus and Mary Chain song. Time has proven to be kind to Jesus and Mary Chain in a way that it hasn't to other, similar artists of the period, and "Blues from a Gun" still feels potent today, just as it must have in 1990.
***1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Mar 22, 2017 1:25:54 GMT -5
23
The Psychedelic Furs - HouseWhen Was It #1?: January 20th-February 3rd, 1990R.E.M. and The B-52's were the first two artists to have multiple Alternative #1 hits. The Psychedelic Furs were the third to accomplish that feat with "Hosue". Feels kind of weird for me to be saying that, admittedly. Maybe it's because that R.E.M. and The B-52's released songs that are remembered today, just as they were all those years ago, whereas the songs that have hit #1 for the Furs have been decidedly "...well, they're good, at least, but they're nothing overly special." "House" does feel more lively and more immediate than "All That Money Wants", and I do think that it's a little better, but the Furs are still capable of more than this. I feel like, as nice as it is that the Furs had so much early success on the Alt format, the songs that have hit #1 so far haven't quite reached the heights of their biggest and best material just yet. Sorry, Richard Butler. I mean, I really do like the Furs! I swear!
***1/4/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jul 18, 2017 15:38:59 GMT -5
At this rate, I might (might) get to the 2000s within the next ten years. 24
Peter Murphy - Cuts You UpWhen Was It #1?: February 10th-March 24th, 1990We have some BIG songs hitting the #1 spot later in 1990 (including the very next #1), but "Cuts You Up" by Peter Murphy was the one to rule them all, the top song on Alternative radio in 1990. Of course, as someone who has dabbled into Bauhaus over the years, I do know who Peter Murphy is, and I was vaguely aware of "Cuts You Up" before creating this thread. What IS interesting, though, is how much I think this song sounds like the work of another solo artist who broke away from their main band for a solo career. I'm getting some "Killing Moon" vibes from this song, is what I'm trying to say. Of course, it's hard also not to hear Bauhaus in this song, too. Surprise! I definitely like this song, though, and it is a fitting top hit of 1990...but it hasn't been one of the songs that has stood the test of time. Want proof? Look no further than the song that followed "Cuts You Up"...
***1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jul 18, 2017 15:53:17 GMT -5
25
Sinéad O'Connor - Nothing Compares 2 UWhen Was It #1?: March 31st, 1990HOT 100 #1 ALERT! HOT 100 #1 ALERT!
That's right, we have reached the very first Hot 100 #1 hit to also hit #1 on the Alt chart, and it's a big one: One of the biggest hits of 1990, one of the biggest songs of the 1990's, a song that has stood the test of time and remains as potent as it was nearly thirty years ago...and it was only #1 on the Alt charts for a single week. Go figure. But "Nothing Compares 2 U" has outlived its contemporaries. Why is that? I think it has to do with two different factors. The first is Sinéad O'Connor's vocal performance. It's heartfelt, it's genuine, and it sticks out. You remember hearing the vocals in this song, because Sinéad makes sure that you don't forget her. The second factor is that there's a timeless feel to this song that other songs from around this time don't quite have. There are definitely some songs coming up that have stood the test of time, sure, but this song has REALLY held up well in the last 25+ years. It's just as ethereal and as powerful as it was in 1990. I've always respected this song more than I've loved it, but I definitely respect this song quite a bit. It's one of the great compositions of the 1990's.
****1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jul 18, 2017 16:06:41 GMT -5
26
Midnight Oil - Blue Sky MineWhen Was It #1?: April 7th, 1990Oh my god, yes, Midnight Oil. I really should have been more ready to post this latest update, especially when it gives me a chance to gush about such a great Alt act. I first discovered Midnight Oil...I want to say a decade ago, through "Power and the Passion". That led me to "Beds Are Burning", and that led to yet another fan of Midnight Oil. I never got as deep into the Midnight Oil discography as I wanted to, but one of the songs I definitely checked out after those two behemoths was "Blue Sky Mine". I fell in love immediately, just as I had with the other Midnight Oil tunes.
"Blue Sky Mine", as you'd expect if you're familiar with Midnight Oil, is a deeply political song about an issue near and dear to the hearts of the band members, dealing with the effects of blue asbestos on miners in Wittenoom. It sounds like a lot to take in, but Midnight Oil definitely put their best foot forward explaining why that matters here. Midnight Oil has a sound all their own, thanks, in large part, to the...how do I put this...different vocals of Peter Garrett. His passionate performances and his lengthy thin frame gained him notice, because, really, how could you not notice this giant man singing about Australian issues? I could go on and on about how much I adore Midnight Oil, but I'll have another chance shortly. For now, let's give this song the highest rating I have given out yet, because it definitely deserves it.
But "Blue Sky Mine" won't hold that distinction for long...as a ***** song looms. BUT FIRST...
****3/4/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jul 18, 2017 16:14:34 GMT -5
27
The Church - MetropolisWhen Was It #1?: April 14th, 1990Hey, look, another Australian band! And it's another one that I would have covered sooner if not for this chart starting late in 1988. Both "Beds Are Burning" and "Under a Milky Way" would have been reviewed had that been the case. (Oh, and, no big shock here, "Beds Are Burning" would have been the first *****.) "Under a Milky Way" is the one Church song to cross over to the Hot 100, a top 30 hit, but this isn't the biggest Church hit over in their native Australia. That distinction would belong to "Metropolis", which is their only top 20 single in their home country. When listening to it, it's not TOO hard to see why, as it's a nice sounding song with a nice chorus. I will say, though, that "Under a Milky Way" is more memorable and more distinctive. This feels more like a song that could fit in with so many other songs of the period. That's not a BAD thing, but it's not too special or anything.
Now, the next song, on the other hand...
***/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Jul 18, 2017 16:25:20 GMT -5
28
Depeche Mode - Enjoy the SilenceWhen Was It #1?: April 21st-May 5th, 1990I don't even really remember how I first discovered "Enjoy the Silence". It was so long ago that I'd genuinely be hard-pressed to remember. We're talking years and years ago. It might have been when I first seriously started listening to music almost two decades ago. Yes, THAT LONG. What I do remember is how much I loved the song, even then. I was fascinated by the sounds being put together and by Dave Gahan's vocals and how strong everything sounded together. It took years for me to realize that what I had heard was the magnum opus of Depeche Mode, perhaps the greatest song of its kind. There's nothing, literally nothing, I would change about "Enjoy the Silence". It's immaculate, put together about as well as humanly possible. I hesitate to refer to any song as "perfect", as perfection is something that just doesn't happen in music...but man, this song comes close. So, so close.
Hello, first 5-star rating. I doubt this will shock anyone.
*****/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 3, 2017 17:51:58 GMT -5
Well...nowhere to go but down after "Enjoy the Silence"... 29
Sinéad O'Connor - The Emperor's New ClothesWhen Was It #1?: May 12th, 1990Bet you didn't know that Sinéad O'Connor had another Alt #1, did you? And, really, one listen to "The Emperor's New Clothes", and it will not be hard to see why O'Connor's reign on top of the Alt charts would prove to be short-lived. Is "The Emperor's New Clothes" a bad song? Nah, not really. It has a solid vocal performance from O'Connor, and the music is pleasant enough. It's more unmemorable than anything. The problem is that this was the song that immediately followed "Nothing Compares 2 U", one of the titanic songs of the 1990's. It never had a prayer of staying relevant in comparison. It's a fine enough song, "good enough for yardwork", if you will...but following such a huge song was always going to be a tall hill to climb, and "The Emperor's New Clothes" just wasn't ever going to be able to live up to the hype.
**1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 3, 2017 17:55:19 GMT -5
30
Midngith Oil - Forgotten YearsWhen Was It #1?: May 19th, 1990More Midnight Oil, I say! More! Sadly, this is the only other Alt #1 for the boys down under. Such an impressive band doesn't deserve to have just a couple of Alt #1s. They should have been staples of the format. Instead, they were merely a footnote in the grand scheme of things, a band that had success before Nirvana roared onto the scene and changed the game forever. Is it really any surprise that I love "Forgotten Years"? It's just Midnight Oil being an awesome band, as they always were and will always be. Whether it's the, as always, strong outing from vocalist Peter Garrett, the boss guitars of both Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey, or the pounding drums of Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil just seemed to put their best effort into every song, and "Forgotten Years", to no one's surprise, is no exception.
Thankfully, there will be many more great songs to come...just not from Midnight Oil. Sigh.
****1/2/*****
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peacebone
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Post by peacebone on Aug 3, 2017 17:58:27 GMT -5
I really like the four songs that came after this one - look forward to seeing your reviews for them.
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Green Baron
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Post by Green Baron on Aug 3, 2017 18:01:39 GMT -5
<div style="text-align:center;"><font size="5" face="Verdana, Arial, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Symbola, EmojiSymbols"><b>30<br><img src="//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/bbcode/video-preview.png" data-video="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X9eap_cKLP4" alt="Video Placeholder" contenteditable="false" readonly="true" unselectable="on"><br></b></font><font face="Verdana, Arial, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Symbola, EmojiSymbols" size="4"><b>Midnight Oil - Forgotten Years</b></font><br><font face="Verdana, Arial, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Symbola, EmojiSymbols" style="font-style:italic;font-size:large;">When Was It #1?: May 26th, 1990</font><br><br><br><div style="text-align:left;"><font face="Verdana, Arial, Segoe UI Emoji, Segoe UI Symbol, Symbola, EmojiSymbols">More Midnight Oil, I say! More! Sadly, this is the only other Alt #1 for the boys down under. Such an impressive band doesn't deserve to have <i>just</i> a couple of Alt #1s. They should have been staples of the format. Instead, they were merely a footnote in the grand scheme of things, a band that had success before Nirvana roared onto the scene and changed the game forever. Is it really any surprise that I love "Forgotten Years"? It's just Midnight Oil being an awesome band, as they always were and will always be. Whether it's the, as always, strong outing from vocalist Peter Garrett, the boss guitars of both Jim Moginie and Martin Rotsey, or the pounding drums of Rob Hirst, Midnight Oil just seemed to put their best effort into every song, and "Forgotten Years", to no one's surprise, is no exception.<br><br>Thankfully, there will be many more great songs to come...just not from Midnight Oil. <i>Sigh</i>.<br><br><br><font size="4"><b>****1/2/*****</b></font></font></div></div> I agree
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 3, 2017 18:05:06 GMT -5
Yeah, the formatting had...a moment there. 31
The Sundays - Here's Where the Story EndsWhen Was It #1?: May 26th, 1990Okay, how's this for irony? This is a song titled "Here's Where the Story Ends". This is the second single ever released by The Sundays, off of their debut album. So, really, this song should have been titled, "Here's Where the Story Begins". Of course, that would also ruin the song, so let's not do that, shall we? I wasn't really familiar with The Sundays before listening to "Here's Where the Story Ends", so I couldn't begin to tell you about their history or how this stacks up within their discography or anything like that. I will tell you this, though: This was actually a pretty pleasant first listen. Harriet Wheeler has a nice voice, soothing to the ears, and the music performed, while not spectacular, serves its purpose. It's not the best discovery I've made so far, or even close to that distinction...but I'm probably going to come back to it.
***/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 3, 2017 18:16:19 GMT -5
32
Depeche Mode - Policy of TruthWhen Was It #1?: June 2nd, 1990OH, HELLO AGAIN, DEPECHE MODE. FANCY SEEING YOU HERE.
Admittedly, this song is going to be tougher to talk about than, say, "Enjoy the Silence" or "Personal Jesus" would be. I've listened to those two songs thousands of times, at this point. I haven't listened to "Policy of Truth" nearly as much, though I have listened to that song plenty of times, too. Even without the experience that I've had with the other most popular songs from Violator, I recognize that "Policy of Truth" is one hell of a song. The synths in this song, in particular, are just...damn. They haven't aged at all in 25+ years. Depeche Mode were so far ahead of the curve at this point with their superior production and performance that they might as well have created a new curve. There's a reason why Violator remains a seminal work of that era. It's just on another plane of existence in comparison to every similar album released at the time.
****3/4/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 8, 2017 19:10:39 GMT -5
33
World Party - Way Down NowWhen Was It #1?: June 9th-July 7th, 1990This song surprised me, actually. Not that I wasn't expecting a good song or anything, because I always go into these reviews hoping for good music to listen to. What I wasn't expecting was a song like this to come along, a song that both emulates its period quite well, but also has a feel to it that almost sounds modern. If this were released today, it wouldn't sound too out of place on current Alternative radio. This can definitely be credited to the strong production work of World Party singer Karl Wallinger, though it can also be linked to how timeless the music itself sounds. It sounds like the kind of song that could have been released, albeit with tweaks, in any given era. I never seem to hear this song nowadays, which is odd, because "Way Down Now" is exactly the kind of song that would withstand huge shifts in the musical landscape.
***1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 8, 2017 19:13:17 GMT -5
34
Concrete Blonde - JoeyWhen Was It #1?: July 14th-August 4th, 1990Now THIS song, on the other hand...this song I still hear somewhat regularly. Which is fine, because "Joey" is a very good song that feels like it will stand the test of time for years to come. It just strikes me as odd, because "Way Down Now" is ALSO a very good song that feels timeless, but it doesn't seem to have had the staying power that "Joey" has had. Both were also month-long #1 hits, a feat that was rare at the time. Something got lost in translation. You know what hasn't gotten lost in translation? Johnette Napolitano's vocals. Goodness me, what a passionate vocal performance. If this song continues to stand the test of time, I will use her vocal performance as Exhibit A. Oh, and the song's quality. Because, again, the song is very good.
****/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 8, 2017 19:15:56 GMT -5
35
Gene Loves Jezebel - JealousWhen Was It #1?: August 11th, 1990 & August 25th, 1990Everything seemed to be unraveling for Gene Loves Jezebel at the worst possible time. Twin brothers the Astons, Jay and Michael, had a bit of a falling out, and Michael left the band in 1989. One year later, the band had a brief glimpse of American success. Funny how things work out, eh? "Jealous" definitely feels of its time, or perhaps a 1975 song before The 1975 came to exist. It's a decent song, not one I'm likely to come back to very often, but a nice listen.
The most interesting thing about Gene Loves Jezebel, though, is the aftermath. After a brief reunion, the brothers split again. Michael proceeded to use the GLJ name, and, when Jay was unsuccessful in stopping Michael from using the name, they went their separate ways for good, with (get this) Jay leading the UK version of the band, and Michael leading the US version. That's right, TWO DIFFERENT VERSIONS OF GENE LOVES JEZEBEL. I love rock and roll, man.
**3/4/*****
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Web
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Post by Web on Aug 8, 2017 20:54:34 GMT -5
your writeups are a lot of fun to read despite not being all that regular lol . Look forward to seeing how you review some of my favorites!
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sadchild
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Post by sadchild on Aug 9, 2017 13:20:13 GMT -5
i can't decide whether to hit like if i like the song, or if i agree with your review, or if found your review entertaining.......
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 10, 2017 16:00:39 GMT -5
i can't decide whether to hit like if i like the song, or if i agree with your review, or if found your review entertaining....... Whatever your heart desires. ;) I've got some time in between reveals for my personal rankdowns...here's some more reviews! 36
David J - I'll Be Your ChauffeurWhen Was It #1?: August 18th, 1990David J. Reminds me all too well of Timmy T and Stevie B from the 1980's. Remember them? No? That's probably a good thing. What really stands out about David J are his other projects. He's most noteworthy for being the bassist for Bauhaus, but he was also the bassist for the Bauhaus spinoff band Love and Rockets. Pretty nice history to have. Sorry, but beyond that, I really don't have that much to say about this song. It's another song that was a nice listen, but it's also yet another song where I'm probably not going to revisit it all that often.
**3/4/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 10, 2017 16:03:04 GMT -5
37
Jane's Addiction - StopWhen Was It #1?: September 1st, 1990 & September 15th, 1990Holy crap, Jane's Addiction. Imagine listening to Alt radio in 1990 and hearing songs like "Jealous" and "I'll Be Your Chauffeur"...and then, out of nowhere, "HERE WE GO!" There have definitely been up tempo, rockin' #1s up until this point, but "Stop" is the first #1 song that really goes for the jugular and flat out kicks ass. We'd get many more of those songs over the coming years, but "Stop" still stands out because of how frenetic the energy of Jane's Addiction remains over 25 years later. This song, and another Jane's Addiction song coming shortly, helped pave the way for the likes of Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nirvana, and many others to have chart-topping success with harder rock tendencies. Pretty important song, right here. Do you need me to tell you that I really, REALLY like this song?
****1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 10, 2017 16:07:11 GMT -5
38
The Railway Children - Every Beat of the HeartWhen Was It #1?: September 8th, 1990Here's a band that, legitimately, I have NEVER heard of until listening this song for the first time. As always, I continue to prove to myself that, even though I think that I'm knowledgable when it comes to music, I still have a lot to learn. Tell me if this story sounds familiar: The Railway Children were a band with small beginnings, had a brief brush with success, and then went their separate ways after that brush with success. "Every Beat of the Heart" was their only UK top 40 hit, peaking at #24, but what really stands out to me is that, as far as I can tell, this is the ONLY Railway Children song to even chart on Alt, let alone reach #1. This song was big enough to prevent Jane's Addiction from having consecutive weeks at the top of the chart, but they were literally unable to follow that up with ANY sort of chart success after that. This baffles me more than it should.
Oh, the song itself? It's alright, very much of its time, and didn't really leave much of an impression on me. Also, does the beginning of this song kind of sound a bit like Finger Eleven's "One Thing", or am I being a little crazy?
**1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 10, 2017 16:11:41 GMT -5
39
INXS - Suicide BlondeWhen Was It #1?: September 22nd, 1990Ladies and gentlemen, the one Alt #1 for INXS. In fact, it's their only #1 on both the Alt and Active formats. They were staples on both, having many top 10 hits, but "Suicide Blonde" is the one song of theirs to hit #1 on either format. "New Sensation" didn't get to #1. "Devil Inside" didn't get to #1. Even "Need You Tonight" didn't accomplish that, though, of course, it was a Hot 100 #1. The song itself definitely feels like an INXS song, and that's a compliment. It slithers around and oozes cool (not hard to see why, when the riff is a signature riff of Nile Rodgers), and Hutchence remains a fantastic presence as the lead singer. Not one of my favorite songs to this point, but it's definitely one to revisit.
Want to know something crazy about "Suicide Blonde"? The song is supposedly about a woman who bleached her hair to a platinum blonde color for a movie role. The woman? Kylie Minogue. No, really. Minogue and INXS singer Michael Hutchence dated for a brief period, and Hutchence reportedly got the term "suicide blonde" from Kylie herself. This fact makes my head...spin around. (YEAHHHHHHHHHH)
***3/4/*****
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sadchild
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Catchy ≠ Good
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Post by sadchild on Aug 15, 2017 14:19:30 GMT -5
Gene Loves Jezebel - Jealous
Probably haven't heard this song since 1990. So far, it's the only alt #1 that sounds 50% hair band!
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 18, 2017 21:57:35 GMT -5
40
The Cure - Never EnoughWhen Was It #1?: September 29th-October 5th, 1990 & October 19th, 1990Hey, a double whammy here: Not only are we returning to The Cure, but we finally have a song that was at the top for multiple weeks in a row again! Seriously, the last time that a song spent more than a week at a time at #1 was almost two months previously with "Joey". Sure, there were songs that spent multiple weeks at #1 in that time, but not consecutively. What an interesting song to break that run, too. "Never Enough" stands out not because of quality (though I like it, to be sure), but because of the band performing and how the song sounds. Notice something different from this Cure song? It's hard not to notice it, especially with the amplified instruments. That's right, there's no synths. NO SYNTHS. IN A CURE SONG. Around this time, in particular, that's pretty bold for The Cure. Though The Cure has made songs without synths, "Never Enough' was a side of The Cure that was rare to hear, especially at the time, and it's worth a listen for that, if nothing else. The Cure could rock, that's for damn sure.
***1/2/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 18, 2017 22:02:48 GMT -5
41
The Replacements - Merry Go RoundWhen Was It #1?: October 13th, 1990 & November 3rd-November 17th, 1990This song went to #1 in between the previous song and the next one, and then, after a two-week break away from the top spot, decided to help bring some stability to the top by sticking around for another three weeks. How nice of The Replacements. So considerate. This song is notable for being not just the most successful Replacements song on Alt, but also the first single off of the band's last album, All Shook Down. Fun fact: That last Replacements album was supposed to be Paul Westerberg's solo debut album, but the rest of the Replacements were involved in enough tracks for the album to be a straight-up Replacements album. Also, there's quite a few people that just refer to this as a Paul Westerberg solo album, anyway. Imagine that. "Merry Go Round" is a nice song, but it just doesn't really stand out all that much. That's a common thread from the last two Replacement albums, actually.
***/*****
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Red
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Post by Red on Aug 18, 2017 22:06:43 GMT -5
42
Jane's Addiction - Been Caught StealingWhen Was It #1?: October 27th, 1990 & November 24th-December 8th, 1990Jane's Addiction are back, and they're back with a big one. Maybe not hit-wise, as it wasn't a 10+ week #1 or anything like that, but a big song in terms of what it represents. I know that Nirvana would play a huge role over the coming years in shaping the Alt format, but I don't think that enough is said about the impact Jane's Addiction also had. This is a prime example, as "Been Caught Stealing" succeeded pre-Nirvana, and it would have been a success POST-Nirvana. If anything, it actually seemed to fit in post-Nirvana more than it did PRE-Nirvana. I guess that's one way of saying that this song was ahead of its time. But, in a bit of a paradox, it also sounds very much like a song of the times, feeling bouncy, catchy, and full of life. The main guitar riff, in particular...so good. 'Stop" is a great song, and I like it just a little bit more, but this is definitely the more important song of the two, and it can be argued that "Been Caught Stealing" was the song that made "Lollapalooza" a possibility.
****1/4/*****
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