Ramones – Subterranean Jungle

Ramones - Subterranean Jungle front cover

Back on track with the Ramones. This is a great one. I mentioned a long time ago that I bought Subterranean Jungle (1983) at the same time I got U2’s War. The counter jockey was all about U2 and in my hostile teenage punk rock I mind I took that as slap on the Ramones. Because the Ramones were never going to be huge, but they were special to me, then and now. I’ve outgrown my punk rock defensiveness and the Ramones continued to get respect. Too bad the core three members are not around to see it.

The record opens with a cover, totally manly move, of “Little Bit O’ Soul.” It’s a perfect choice for them and they rock it proper. There’s even another cover, “Time Has Come Today,” on side two. But the originals are even better! My favorites are “Psycho Therapy” and “In the Park.” And then there are some ’60s style pop ditties like “My-My Kind of a Girl” that are both incongruous and killer at the same time. But wait! There goes “Highest Trails Above” playing on my turn table now. Another favorite; it makes me want to grab my guitar. And I’ll mention the album closer “Everytime (sic) I Eat Vegetables It Makes Me think of You” just for the title.

Long live The Ramones!

Ramones - Subterranean Jungle back cover

Fastway — Fastway

• Artist: Fastway
• Title: Fastway
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy and Bob
• Acquired: 2005 – Another one I got from Bob Bobala
• Keeper: Yes

Fastway was a hard rock/metal super group with members from Motörhead, Humble Pie, and UFO. Believe it or not, the then-unknown singer Dave King went on to found Flogging Molly. Believe it.

I have always loved the song “Say What You Will” but I never got around to getting the album. Bob Bob’s record collection to the rescue again. (I guess it’s just the luck of the draw but it seems like his old records are popping up more than my own lately.) Some of the songs are highly mediocre, but when they’re good they’re great. Another favorite is “Another Day.” Included with Bob’s copy of Fastway is a one-sided 7 inch with a Zeppelin-style dirge titled “Far Far From Home.” I don’t know what the story is with that song, but I dig it.

You can listen to “Say What You Will” at YouTube.

The Fastway story at Wikipedia.

New Order — Confusion

• Artist: New Order
• Title: Confusion
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

“Confusion” has always been my favorite New Order song. I first it heard it when my friend Jeff Arthur played it for me. Anyhow, the truth is out: I’m a natural-born metallist that likes to dance. And this is a great dance song. There are a number of “Confusion” 12 inches out there. This version has four tracks:

“Confusion”
“Confusion Beats”
“Confusion (Instr.)”
“Confusion (Rough Mix)”

It was published by Streetwise and according to the very thorough New Order Discography site it’s pretty rare:

Q: What’s the deal with the Streetwise testpressing from the New Music Seminar?
A: The Streetwise testpressing (SWRL 2213) with blank, handwritten and/or stamped labels was made for the “New Music Seminar” in New York. As a part of the new Music Seminar New Order played at the Garage on July 7, 1983. Approximately 400 of these 12 inchers were made.

Tears For Fears – the hurting

Tears For Fears - the hurting

• Artist: Tears For Fears
• Title: the hurting
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1983 – Somewhere in Germany when she was an exchange student
• Keeper: Yes

Mexicans have taken over my sound system! Now, I can’t stop playing Plastilina Mosh. But I did manage to squeeze in this oldie. I gave the hurting by Tears For Fears a couple plays but I can’t remember much about it. “Mad World” is definitely my favorite song. Mary bought this in Germany when she was an exchange student. So, for her it’s tied up with the fond memories of that experience. She rates it an 8.

OMD (Ochestral Manoeuvres In The Dark) — Telegraph

• Artist: OMD (Ochestral Manoeuvres In The Dark)
• Title: Telegraph
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: 1983 – Somewhere in Fairfax, VA
• Keeper: Yes

Long overdue, here’s the latest record: “Telegraph” by Ochestral Manoeuvres In The Dark, better known as simply OMD. I didn’t expect to like this very much despite the fact that I bought an OMD record myself way back when, but I have to say I do. This single is an almost eight minute “extended version” of the song with a variety of cool synth sounds and vocals that remind me of Alvin and the Chipmunks, or maybe 999. My favorite bit is the chime sound prominent in the early part of the song. The flip side is a drum-less instrumental titled “66 and Fading” that sounds like the band’s name.

The Fleshtones — Hexbreaker!

• Artist: The Fleshtones
• Title: Hexbreaker!
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1983 – Not sure
• Keeper: Yes

Hexbreaker! Even the title of this album is cool. The super rock continues on their second full album, and this time it’s even more eclectic. There’s everything from the silly, but fun, “Screamin’ Skull” to the mid-tempo heartbreaker “This House Is Empty” (one of my favorites). The Fleshtones even get philosophical on “Burning Hell” and I don’t know if that, or the fact that they did with a soul-powered dance freak out number is more surprising.

I have deep, and very fond memories of listening to this in high school. I know every note of every song. I’ll say it again: I wanted to be Peter Zaremba. I love all the songs on this record but it’s the title track, “Hexbreaker!” that really tears the roof off.

Listen, are you ready everybody? Yeeaahhh!
Are you ready for SUPER ROCK time? Yeeaahhh!
Are you ready for communication? Yeeaahhh!
Well I think you’re ready for the HEXBREAKER! baby come on… Yeeaahhh!

Van Halen — 1984

Van Halen -- 1984

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: 1984
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Not sure when, bought it used at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
• Keeper: Yes

Guess when this record came out. Incorrect! Or maybe, correct! I don’t know. Everything on the record and sleeve says 1983, but according to some sites it was January, 1984. Anyhow, what’s more important is that this was the last Van Halen record with my hero Diamond Dave. The guy’s lyrics were excellent, his singing was crazy, and he was, is maybe, a world class entertainer like no other.

The album starts off sounding like Eddie has OD’d on Human League. The synth stuff is over the top. Maybe that’s the reason I tend to forget how great this record really is. It’s chock-a-block with hits and lesser-known gems. At the time I thought the hit “Jump” was a bit cheesy, but of course it’s an excellent song with excellent lyrics which explains why someone like Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame would make a cover of it.

Another popular winner is “Panama” which I always associate with one of my many lessons in humility. Back when 1984 was new I remember being at a guitar store with my friend Tom Bundick when he started playing “Panama” and I think I responded with something like “what the hell are you doing?!” To which Tom replied “that song is great!” Of course, he was right and I was too punk, too cool for my own good. I’ve mentioned that affliction before, but at least I eventually got hip to these records.

1984 was their best selling album at the time. 10 million! Everyone knows the hits, but I also really like “Top Jimmy” and “Drop Dead Legs.” Of course the most awesome classic is “Hot for Teacher”, even the video is a classic. And awesome. For real.

“I don’t feel tardy.”

U2 — Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch

U2 -- Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch

• Artist: U2
• Title: Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Who knows where she gets all these 12 inches?
• Keeper: Yes

Another one of Mary’s U2 12 inch records. It seems like we’ll never get through them, and I think there are even more 7 inch singles on the shelves. Of course, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is great song, I can’t tell what is different about the mix. The remixes of “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are more obvious and sound interesting, I guess. I mentioned before that I got to see them on this tour, and before War had become a huge hit. This time I found my ticket stub for the show at Chrysler Hall. The place only holds 2500 people and I’m glad I got to see them in such a small and great-sounding venue. And check out the price on the ticket, $8.50!

Gang of Four — Hard

• Artist: Gang of Four
• Title: Hard
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 9
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1983, not sure where…

Server migration, DNS propagation lag, Charter Communications… All of you, can kiss my ass. Now where were we?

Right! Gang of Four’s late period album, Hard. My collection is missing the previous album Songs of the Free and that gap makes this record sound like a rather abrupt change to a more pop sound. Even though Hard is full of classic pop sounds, things like soulful backing vocals and staccato strings, the music is just as strange and interesting as their earlier work. Of course, the lyrics are fantastic too. I played the crap out this record way back, and you can tell from the grime on the cover. My favorite song is “A Man With a Good Car.”

Who is that?
Just what is your business?
Fate is in your hands
And your decisions

A man with a good car needs no justification
Fate is in my hands and in the transmission

U2 — New Year’s Day / Two Hearts Beat as One

U2 -- New Year's Day / Two Hearts Beat as One

• Artist: U2
• Title: New Year’s Day / Two Hearts Beat as One
• Year: 1983
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: “Who knows?”
• Keeper: Maybe

This is another record to set aside for our ’80s dance night party coming soon to a club near you. Of course we like U2, and of course “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are great songs. François Kevorkian remixed these hits for the US market. I like to call them the “Dr. Death Dance Mixes”, but maybe that was a different Kevorkian. Anyhow, they’re neither offensive or special.