Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction — Tattooed Beat Messiah

Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction -- Tattooed Beat Messiah

• Artist: Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction
• Title: Tattooed Beat Messiah
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 6
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Got the domestic from our store RIP Records, and the UK from Venus Records, both in Norfolk, VA.
• Keeper: Maybe

Oh man, how I used to love this Zodiac Mindwarp and The Love Reaction stuff. Even when it was new I thought it was completely silly, but fun and rocking when little else was. We saw them once, at what Mary and I still call the old 9:30 Club (Wikipedia) in D.C. The old one on F Street was a lot smaller, but super fun. I think it moved in the mid-1990s. Anyhow, the show rocked and they seemed to have fun mocking the rockstar thing.

This ain’t really doing it for me now. “Tattooed Beat Messiah” was the first full LP, and on major labels in the US and UK. I have both versions. They’re mostly the same except for some minor typographical differences on the back cover. The UK version also came with a large poster and liner notes. By the time this record came out I think most of the really entertaining songs had already been released in whatever version on EPs and 12 inch singles. And the same ol’ sleazy lyrics–big riffs and solos–horn section schtick gets pretty tired over the course of full length album.

XTC — Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations

XTC -- Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations

• Artist: XTC
• Title: Waxworks and Beeswax Compilations
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: Used, somewhere far from here, sometime long ago.

It’s a thoroughly ’80s evening. Mary is watching 200 Cigarettes and laughing about how Dave Chappelle’s character Disco Cabbie reminds her of me. (?) I have to say that at least he’s the coolest cat in the movie, with the best lines. This movie was made in 1999 but takes place in 1981. Of course it’s chockablock with some of our favorite music. One year later, 1982, these XTC compilations were released. It’s hard to believe they started so long ago.

XTC’s “Waxworks: Some Singles 1977-1982” (Wikipedia) and “Beeswax: Some B-Sides 1977-1982” were originally released together, but I think they later became separate albums. I have them pushed together in the picture below, but they are in fact physically separate records, not gatefold covers. I’ve never been a huge fan, but I do appreciate their music and have bought some of their records. My favorite song from both records is “Generals and Majors.”

Van Halen — Diver Down

Van Halen -- Diver Down

• Artist: Van Halen
• Title: Diver Down
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: Used. Can remember when or where…

This is the fifth Van Halen record, and at least the third time I’ve mentioned how cool there were because they performed covers on their records. Name another multi-platinum selling hard rock group that did this on a regular basis. It was a tradition that mostly died in the 1960s, when bands were covering even comtemporary hits. On “Diver Down” they might’ve gone over the top. There are five covers here, and from all types of music and periods.

“Where Have All The Good Times Gone” by The Kinks is my favorite cover, and maybe my favorite song on the album. I’ve always loved The Kinks. “Diver Down” was a rush job and that’s probably why there are so many covers. ClassicVanHalen.com explains the whole sitch.

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.

Talking Heads — True Stories

Talking Heads -- True Stories

• Artist: Talking Heads
• Title: True Stories
• Year: 1986
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary?
• Acquired: 1986 – I probably got it for her when I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.

“True Stories” by Talking Heads is one happy-sounding album. I don’t care if I ever hear the hit “Wild Wild Life” again, but I really like “Puzzlin’ Evidence.” I’m a sucker for anything with a gospel choir in it. Another song on this record is “Radio Head” and where the band Radiohead got their name.

The front and back of the cover are shown correctly oriented. The third pic is a handsome photo of the band on one side of the liner. There is an article about “True Stories” at Wikipedia.

Kim Salmon and The Surrealists – Hit Me With the Surreal Feel

• Artist: Kim Salmon and The Surrealists
• Title: Hit Me With the Surreal Feel
• Year: 1988
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1988 – Bought for myself at our store RIP Records in Norfolk, VA.

Look, I know you probably think I waste too much time on these pictures, maybe this whole blog is a waste of time, but these album covers are a big part of why vinyl is so great, so superior in almost every way. And anyway it’s my blog. Look at the third pic below, which is one side of the liner. Now that is just quality silliness. I wish I had thought of it. And that eyeball album label is cool too.

I wanted this record because I was big fan of The Scientists; we’ll get to those records eventually. Of Kim Salmon’s various bands, that I know of, Kim Salmon and The Surrealists (Wikipedia) is my least favorite. I only got their first record, “Hit Me With the Surreal Feel.” I realize it’s supposed to be a raw, minimalist sound, but to me it just sounds lazy, like they were just joking around instead of trying to make something really interesting. Many fans seem to disagree with me. Only 1000 copies were made; maybe I can find it a good home.

R.E.M. — S. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)

• Artist: R.E.M.
• Title: S. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)
• Year: 1984
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• 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.

Pere Ubu — Terminal Tower – An Archival Collection

• Artist: Pere Ubu
• Title: Terminal Tower – An Archival Collection
• Year: 1985
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 1985 – When I worked at Mother’s Records in Hampton, VA.

I’m not cool enough, or maybe just not old enough, to have bought Pere Ubu’s early records when they came out, but I did get “Terminal Tower – An Archival Collection” when I was 19 or so. They make some pretty interesting music that’s not easy to describe, but someone at Wikipedia did a good job with this article about the band.

I saw them live at the Town & Country Club in London way back in 1987, or maybe ’86. The opening acts were Ut, followed by The Mekons. For the most part, it seemed like a Mekons crowd. That said, Pere Ubu put on a great, but abbreviated show that most people seemed to enjoy.

Unfortunately, some folks expressed their gratitude by throwing crap on the stage or even at the musicians. At one point Pere Ubu singer David Thomas made it clear that if there was any further silliness that they would walk off the stage. Sure enough, some bonehead had to throw something and Mr. Thomas immediately walked off in a huff. I can’t say I blame him. The rest of the band tried to carry on for a bit but it was clear he wasn’t coming back. The other band members eventually walked off too, looking rather frustrated. I’m not sure if Thomas, the crowd, or both were the source of that frustration.

Orb — Asylum

• Artist: Orb
• Title: Asylum
• Year: 1997
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 5
• Owner: Tracy
• Acquired: 2000 ? – I think my brother Grayson handed this down to me

The best part of this Orb 12 inch is the sleeve. Though it is a bit mechanical, antiseptic even, in its design. Which matches the four extremely different remixes of “Asylum” that are on this record. I often find mechanical sounds musical in their own way, I rarely listen to music in the car for instance because I like the sounds of the car itself. But music this mechanized can sometimes get a little boring, like today.

My favorite mix is also the least danceable, and the least frenetic, “A.1” by Thomas Fehlmann. Now dance sucka!

New Order — Ceremony

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.