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
- 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.
- 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
- 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.
- 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.
