XTC -- Skylarking
- Artist: XTC
- Title: Skylarking
- Year: 1986
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Plan 9 Records Richmond, VA
- Keeper: Maybe
Listening to music like XTC’s Skylarking reminds me that I do, in fact, have something in common with Dee Snider. I wanna rock. And this record ain’t taking me there. I’m not saying I only want to listen to crunching guitars and screeching vocals. Good classical rocks, even pop can rock, and funk is always rocking. I don’t think XTC is bad, but rarely does their music meet the need I share with Dee.
This copy of Skylarking is the first edition and doesn’t include the hit “Dear God.” More about this record.
- Artist: The Damned
- Title: The Black Album (Again)
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Tracy ?
- Acquired: I don’t know
- Keeper: Maybe
Hey! I’ve already posted this album, except it was a different. This version of The Black Album by The Damned doesn’t have the gatefold cover, the front is much simpler (boring), and there is no second LP with the live stuff. Anything else I could say I’ve already said. I did play it again, in case you’re wondering, because that’s the deal. Everything gets played, at least one more time.
- Artist: Joe Jackson Band
- Title: Mad at You
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1985 ? – Tower in the District of Columbia
- Keeper: Yes
Joe Jackson is the man. He even wrote a song about it. But that’s another record. On this one he’s mad, “Mad at You” to be specific. This single is from the album Beat Crazy and the flipside is an outtake from the album called “Enough is Enough.” I love ‘em both. That’s all I’m saying for this one.
- Artist: The Damned
- Title: The Black Album
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: ? I’m thinking…
- Keeper: Yes
This version of The Damned’s The Black Album is the original release on the Chiswick label. That means it’s a full color gatefold sleeve double album. We also have another version that is mostly black, with no gatefold, and no second record. The second is mostly live stuff. I can’t remember when and where I got this, but I do remember that not too long ago it still had the shrink wrap on it. So, it’s old, but almost new, if you know what I’m saying.
I’ve always loved the song “Wait for the Blackout” and there are some other great ones on this record. But there’s some other stuff that just drags it down. Which is how I feel about every record by The Damned. Read more about The Black Album.
Van Halen -- Women and Children First
- Artist: Van Halen
- Title: Women and Children First
- Year: 1980
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: No idea.
- Keeper: Yes
“Women and Children First” is the third album by Van Halen, and it’s brilliant, if not quite as stunning as the first two. These guys followed no rules. It’s hard to believe how eclectic this record is. “Loss of Control” sounds like Slayer for a minute or so, and this is only 1980! Then there’s “Could This Be Magic?”, which is an acoustic number that I suppose you could call old-time folk, blues, or maybe even a “standard.” I don’t know. That one includes the line “Women and Children First” which became the album title. The big hits from this record are “And The Cradle Will Rock…” and “Everybody Wants Some!!”
Have you seen Junior’s grades?
