The songs on Call For Escape Route are pretty catchy for a band that’s pretty arty. The Fall released this three song EP in 1984. Most people would call a three song record a 12 inch single and name it after the lead song. Call For Escape Route is merely a title for this package that contains the songs:
“Draygo’s Guilt”
“Clear Off!”
“No Bulbs”
The sticker on front cover says that there’s a free 7″ included, but I’m not seeing it. Maybe it’s been filed with the other 7 inchers.
Acquired: 1986 – When she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
This R.E.M. 12 inch is an import, made in Holland, but with UK licensing stuff on it. Anyhow, I’ve always liked “S. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” and I think this is the album version. On the flipside is “Voice of Harold” which is some sort of strange rework of “7 Chinese Brothers”, I think, and their version of Lou Reed’s/Velvet Underground’s “Pale Blue Eyes.” There is an article about it at Wikipedia, but it doesn’t explain what “Voice of Harold” is all about. They’re all good, but I like “Pale Blue Eyes” the best.
Guess when this record came out? Just look at it. It was 1984. I remember hearing King on a “progressive” or “modern rock” radio station while on a family trip in Los Angeles. It doesn’t sound that progressive or modern now, more like a rocked out version of ’80s pop, or maybe a popped out version of ’80s rock. Anyhow, it’s not bad, but it does nothing for me. “Steps in Time” is Mary’s record and she wants to keep it in case we’re ever drafted to DJ an ’80s dance party down at The Orange Peel. I didn’t make that up.
Various Artists (Band Aid) -- Do They Know It's Christmas?
Artist: Various Artists
Title: Do They Know It’s Christmas?
Year: 1984
Format: Vinyl 12 in.
Rating (1-10): 10
Owner: Tracy / Mary – both had copies
Acquired: 1984 – Dunno where
Keeper: Yes
“Do They Know It’s Christmas?” was a famous single with all the proceeds intended to assist famine relief in Ethiopia. The cast of performers in Band Aid is pretty much a who’s who of British pop at the time, with a few Americans thrown in the mix. Wikipedia has the full list of artists, along with a lot more info. I like the song well enough, but I rate it a 10 because of its intended purpose and how successful it was. And all of that can be credited to Bob Geldolf’s drive, and impressive project management skills.
This is the song folks, Killing Joke’s “Eighties” that Nirvana famously ripped off for their own hit “Come As You Are.” It’s pretty much note-for-note the same song, just a little slower and less intense when Nirvana does it. At this point Killing Joke was kinda weirding out, but this is one my favorite songs ever. There are also a couple remixes on this 12 inch single. They’re interesting enough, but I love the original just the way it is. Every time I hear it I want to start a band just so we can play a cover. Even the video is cool, in an eighties sort of way.
Ah yes, “Ocean Rain.” I could listen to this Echo and The Bunnymen record every day and not get tired of it. And that’s pretty much what I did when it came out in 1984. This record is maybe a little more pop than the first three, not a bad thing, and it also has a full orchestra going for it… which is nice.
Acquired: 1986 ? – When she worked at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA.
Keeper: Yes
Peter Murphy (Bauhaus) and Mick Karn (Japan) teamed up to form Dalis Car in 1984. No, I didn’t forget the apostrophe. There’s no instance of “Dalis” with an apostrophe anywhere on this record. “The Judgement Is The Mirror” is the name of this three song 12 inch. They also put out on full-length album. It’s interesting music, but that fretless bass just gets on my nerves.
This is the first solo Nick Cave record. Most people would not recognize it as music. Of course, Mary and I do, but we’re not most people. “From Her To Eternity” is full of very original and very challenging music and lyrics, or stories. In many ways it sounds a lot like his work with Birthday Party. Mary can’t help but rate this a 10, even though she likes his later work more.
Below lies Black Paul
under the upper but
above and beyond the
surface flat-fall there.
Another 12 inch single, “How To Be A Zillionaire”, from the album of the same name. But I think this came out before the album. This record includes the original plus two solid remixes. I dig it.
I`ve seen the future, I can`t afford it
Tell me the truth sir, someone just bought it
What’s going on here? This record by The Waterboys in another oddball in the collection. Their original self-titled and full length LP (8 tracks) came out in 1983. This one was released in 1984. It’s labeled as a “Mini LP” and has only five songs, all of which were on the orginal record. They also released an album of new material that same year, “A Pagan Place.” I can’t find this five-songer on any discography I’ve seen. I’m guessing it was a US-only release designed to sell cheap and hype the band for their next full album.
Anyhow, I like it a lot more than I remember liking it then. Songs include:
“A Girl Called Johnny” (the hit, I believe)
“I Will Not Follow” (my favorite)
“It Should Have Been You”
“Savage Earth Heart”
“December”
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