- Artist: The Fleshtones
- Title: Hexbreaker!
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1983 – Not sure
- Keeper: Yes
Hexbreaker! Even the title of this album is cool. The super rock continues on their second full album, and this time it’s even more eclectic. There’s everything from the silly, but fun, “Screamin’ Skull” to the mid-tempo heartbreaker “This House Is Empty” (one of my favorites). The Fleshtones even get philosophical on “Burning Hell” and I don’t know if that, or the fact that they did with a soul-powered dance freak out number is more surprising.
I have deep, and very fond memories of listening to this in high school. I know every note of every song. I’ll say it again: I wanted to be Peter Zaremba. I love all the songs on this record but it’s the title track, “Hexbreaker!” that really tears the roof off.
Listen, are you ready everybody? Yeeaahhh!
Are you ready for SUPER ROCK time? Yeeaahhh!
Are you ready for communication? Yeeaahhh!
Well I think you’re ready for the HEXBREAKER! baby come on… Yeeaahhh!
Van Halen -- 1984
- Artist: Van Halen
- Title: 1984
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: Not sure when, bought it used at Plan 9 Records in Richmond, VA
- Keeper: Yes
Guess when this record came out. Incorrect! Or maybe, correct! I don’t know. Everything on the record and sleeve says 1983, but according to some sites it was January, 1984. Anyhow, what’s more important is that this was the last Van Halen record with my hero Diamond Dave. The guy’s lyrics were excellent, his singing was crazy, and he was, is maybe, a world class entertainer like no other.
The album starts off sounding like Eddie has OD’d on Human League. The synth stuff is over the top. Maybe that’s the reason I tend to forget how great this record really is. It’s chock-a-block with hits and lesser-known gems. At the time I thought the hit “Jump” was a bit cheesy, but of course it’s an excellent song with excellent lyrics which explains why someone like Aztec Camera/Roddy Frame would make a cover of it.
Another popular winner is “Panama” which I always associate with one of my many lessons in humility. Back when 1984 was new I remember being at a guitar store with my friend Tom Bundick when he started playing “Panama” and I think I responded with something like “what the hell are you doing?!” To which Tom replied “that song is great!” Of course, he was right and I was too punk, too cool for my own good. I’ve mentioned that affliction before, but at least I eventually got hip to these records.
1984 was their best selling album at the time. 10 million! Everyone knows the hits, but I also really like “Top Jimmy” and “Drop Dead Legs.” Of course the most awesome classic is “Hot for Teacher”, even the video is a classic. And awesome. For real.
“I don’t feel tardy.”
U2 -- Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch
- Artist: U2
- Title: Sunday Bloody Sunday 12 inch
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 8
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: Who knows where she gets all these 12 inches?
- Keeper: Yes
Another one of Mary’s U2 12 inch records. It seems like we’ll never get through them, and I think there are even more 7 inch singles on the shelves. Of course, “Sunday Bloody Sunday” is great song, I can’t tell what is different about the mix. The remixes of “New Year’s Day” and “Two Hearts Beat as One” are more obvious and sound interesting, I guess. I mentioned before that I got to see them on this tour, and before War had become a huge hit. This time I found my ticket stub for the show at Chrysler Hall. The place only holds 2500 people and I’m glad I got to see them in such a small and great-sounding venue. And check out the price on the ticket, $8.50!
- Artist: Gang of Four
- Title: Hard
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 9
- Owner: Tracy
- Acquired: 1983, not sure where…
Server migration, DNS propagation lag, Charter Communications… All of you, can kiss my ass. Now where were we?
Right! Gang of Four’s late period album, Hard. My collection is missing the previous album Songs of the Free and that gap makes this record sound like a rather abrupt change to a more pop sound. Even though Hard is full of classic pop sounds, things like soulful backing vocals and staccato strings, the music is just as strange and interesting as their earlier work. Of course, the lyrics are fantastic too. I played the crap out this record way back, and you can tell from the grime on the cover. My favorite song is “A Man With a Good Car.”
Who is that?
Just what is your business?
Fate is in your hands
And your decisions
A man with a good car needs no justification
Fate is in my hands and in the transmission
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.
