Both of these New Order songs, “Ceremony” and “In a Lonely Place”, were written when the band was still Joy Division. This was the first single by the new band. I didn’t recognize “Ceremony.” Mary says it because I “didn’t go to enough dance nights” at the clubs. Anyhow, it sounds like New Order to me, while “In a Lonely Place” sounds a lot darker, slower.
Etched in the margins:
Side A: “How I Wish We Were Here With You Now”
Side B: “Watching Love Grow — Forever”
Wikipedia has an article with a lot of trivia about this single. It seems we have the original pressing of this 12 inch.
And now we return to our regularly scheduled “G” programming. Today, G is for Gang of Four, and like I previously mentioned “What We All Want” is my favorite song from their excellent album, “Solid Gold.” The packaging on this 12 inch is… minimalist. The only thing that makes it at all special is the flipside, “History’s Bunk!”, which at the time was previously unreleased. That latter song eventually came out on the EP “Another Day/Another Dollar” and a re-issue of “Solid Gold” on CD. Even though it’s the same original album version, “What We All Want” is the winner here.
Could I be happy with something else
I need something to fill my time
Could I be happy with something else
I need someone to fill my time
Mostly just out of ignorance I never got that into The Fall. I think if I had been exposed to them more when I was young(er) and open-minded I would’ve been a big fan. They were post-punk before most people knew what punk was. I like their album “This Nation’s Saving Grace”, but agree with Mary’s comment that “they need some editing.” Which is a phrase she has to hear me say all the time. There are some great arty hooks on this, but I doubt I’ll get back around to playing it much. I’ll stop before I need some (more) editing.
I checked “maybe” by the Keeper field for this 12 inch of “Bedbugs and Ballyhoo” by Echo and The Bunnymen. The truth is, even though they are one of my favorite bands ever, I was pretty much done with them by the time this came out. I would only keep it now as part of the collection. It’s more pop than their earlier stuff, not necessarily a bad thing, but still a little twisted. Two remixes on side A and side B has live versions of “Run, Run, Run”, “Paint It Black”, and “Friction.”
As I write this I’m listening to the latest album by Muse, “Black Holes and Revelations”, which is super exciting. I may have to shake up the I’m Heavy Duty! programming a bit to write about some new stuff. Right, Keith?
I’ve listened to “The Firstborn is Dead” by Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds a couple times over the last few days. I’m not sure what I think about it. I’ve always loved the first song, “Tupelo”, and it’s still my favorite. Like most music by Mr. Cave it’s not the kind of thing you’re likely to put on the turntable when you’re having a party. That said, some of it definitely sticks in your head. Whether that’s a good thing is really up to you, but it will stick with you either way.
(And excuse my fuzzy reflection in that glossy black album cover.)
It’s hard to know exactly what that means. It doesn’t necessarily mean this five song EP, “1981-1982 New Order”, by New Order is the eighth release by Factory Records. Read more about Factory’s curious numbering system.
This collection of singles is not as synth-heavy as their later stuff. I like it a lot more than I remembered. There are more details here.
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.
“Solid Gold” is the second full album by Gang of Four. Of course, I love it, but not as much as “Entertainment.” It seems like all of the same ingredients are there, but it just doesn’t excite me as much. A couple of the songs were previously released on the “Yellow EP.” My favorite track is “What We All Want.”
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.
Want to know what it's like to have brain surgery? Well here's the long version of my experience. Complete with pictures and videos! Read all about the Brain Surgery Experience.
