- Artist: Bananarama
- Title: The Wild Life
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: “Used… later at Plan 9.”
- Keeper: Maybe
The pop just keeps comin’. I think I spelled their name right, so many letter ‘A’s to keep track of. I don’t remember either of these Bananarama ditties, “The Wild Life” and “The State I’m In” on the back. I think I like the latter the most. It has a 1960s-Supremes vibe to it. Both of them are sort of middlin’ as far as Bananananananarama tunes go. Sorry, lost count there for a sec. Anyhow, Mary thinks she wants to keep this record.
From looking at the record queue it appears the parade of pop records won’t stop until we get to “E.” Stay tuned.
- Artist: a-ha
- Title: The Sun Always Shines on T.V.
- Year: 1985
- Format: Vinyl 7 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: No information available
- Keeper: No
“It’s not bad, it’s just not super.” That’s from the owner herself, and I think it sums it up. I’m no a-ha historian, but I don’t think “The Sun Always Shines on T.V.” was even a hit. The flipside is “Driftwood.” Either one ring any bells?
- Artist: King
- Title: Love and Pride (Body and Sould Mix)
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 5
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1984? – Tower Records in DC
- Keeper: Maybe
I’ve said this before, I think it was the last King record, guess when this was made. I like pop as much as the next guy, well not really but I’m incredibly tolerant of most forms of music, including pop. The main song, “Love and Pride (Body and Sould Mix)” is solid, listenable pop, but the flip side has two really lame filler pieces. If it were up to me this one would be a goner, fo’ sho.
- Artist: Madonna
- Title: Madonna
- Year: 1983
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 7
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: ?
- Keeper: Yes
I gotta remember to check the inner sleeves when I take these pics. There’s a large pic of Madonna on the inside cover sporting a look that screams 1980s, a look she popularized as much as anyone I can think of.
If you haven’t heard this in a good while you might be surprised how nasal her voice is on this self-titled debut record. Speaking of surprises, this album has only eight songs, but some of them are on the long side. I’m not a huge fan a Madonna, but as is often the case the world doesn’t agree with me. I will say that it’s solid pop, and come on, who doesn’t like “Holiday”?
- Artist: King
- Title: Steps in Time
- Year: 1984
- Format: Vinyl 12 in.
- Rating (1-10): 6
- Owner: Mary
- Acquired: 1984 – Tower Records in D.C.
Guess when this record came out? Just look at it. It was 1984. I remember hearing King on a “progressive” or “modern rock” radio station while on a family trip in Los Angeles. It doesn’t sound that progressive or modern now, more like a rocked out version of ’80s pop, or maybe a popped out version of ’80s rock. Anyhow, it’s not bad, but it does nothing for me. “Steps in Time” is Mary’s record and she wants to keep it in case we’re ever drafted to DJ an ’80s dance party down at The Orange Peel. I didn’t make that up.
