I'm Heavy Duty!

• Artist: Heaven 17
• Title: Height of the Fighting (He-La-Hu)
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

Here’s another 12 inch from those former Human League-ers, Heaven 17. “Height of the Fighting (He-La-Hu)” is pretty enjoyable, but I can’t really remember the mixes on the other side. Even if you don’t dig this early electronic music, you gotta love the cover art by Jill Mumford.

• Artist: Adam and the Ants
• Title: Kings of the Wild Frontier
• Year: 1980
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Tracy / Mary – two copies
• Acquired: 1980? After I met Jeff Arthur.
• Keeper: Yes

I know some folks like to make fun of Adam and the Ants. Considering that their popularity was relatively short-lived, their use of not-of-this-time-appearing costumes, and the annoying frequency with which they sing about themselves or their Ant nation, that is understandable. But this is still interesting music. Most, maybe all, of these songs are just too strange to sound dated. The double drummer set up, tribal chanting vocals, and spaghetti western guitar riffs all make for something that is as original as it is pop. My favorite song is “Killer in the Home”, about the plight of Native Americans. I blame Jeff Arthur for getting me into this.

More info about Adam and the Ants’ Kings of the Wild Frontier.

XTC -- English Settlement

• Artist: XTC
• Title: English Settlement
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 8
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: “Later… maybe, like, ’84… something”
• Keeper: Yes

I went to a hardcore punk throwdown last night with Double Negative, and got to meet my new buddy Kevin, singer of the band. More about that and their new album next Monday.

Today’s record is English Settlement by XTC. Regular readers of this site will know that I’m no card carrying member of the XTC fan club, but this one is better than most. Which is a good thing because it’s a double album. If you’re going to release a double album please put in the extra effort. Otherwise… the obvious. My favorite song is the first one, “Runaways.” This is Mary’s record and I defer to her on the rating.

Sorry about the slightly out of focus album jacket, but I did throw in a pic of one liner sleeve at no extra charge.

Wikipedia has more info about the album and Andy Partridge’s breakdown while touring in support of it.

• Artist: Heaven 17
• Title: (We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang
• Year: 1981
• Format: Vinyl 12 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: A cut-out bin somewhere in DC
• Keeper: Yes

Today we have a 12 inch single from Heaven 17. Who knew the founding members were two guys who split from Human League? Not me. Actually, I know very little about the band; this one belongs to Mary. Their debut single “(We Don’t Need This) Fascist Groove Thang” is some solid dance music with “overtly political lyrics” that got it banned from the BBC. “The Decline of the West” on the flipside is a pulsing instrumental bit of dark electronica. I like both cuts, so very synth.

Wikipedia can tell you more about Heaven 17.

XTC -- Ball and Chain

• Artist: XTC
• Title: Ball and Chain
• Year: 1982
• Format: Vinyl 10 in.
• Rating (1-10): 7
• Owner: Mary
• Acquired: ?
• Keeper: Yes

Tracy

What would you rate this record?

Mary

I think a 6 or 7.

Tracy

Is it a 6 or 7?

Mary

A 7. It’s pretty good if you like XTC. For XTC it’s a good record.

Tracy

OK.

Mary

Don’t quote me.

I prefer the first song on the flip, “No Thugs in Our House.” Printed across the top of the jacket is:

• File Under – Teen Groups
• 10″ single for the price a 7″ single