New Wave Music

[dwanollah]

Carrier76's mention of Heaven 17 reminds me of one of my favorite songs: Fascist Groove Thang.

*squee!* Me too! So much fun to dance to!

[tacoflavored]

I've never been able to really get into Morrissey's moany/whiny voice but the cover of "There is a Light..." that Neil Finn did w/ Johnny Marr on his Seven Worlds Collide live album is a thing of beauty. Speaking of Neil Finn, I've become a huge fan of Split Enz (and all the non-New Wavy stuff he's done since), I'm upset that their lil' reunion tour isn't leaving the Southern Hemisphere, although I can understand why. Time And Tide is a New Wave masterpiece if ya ask me, and pretty much everything else they did was worthy, too:

-Dirty Creature
-Six Mos. In a Leaky Boat
-I Got You
-Message to my Girl

...just to name a few of their songs.

Oh and btw, since they had neither punky, choppy guitar chords or dinky synths/Farfisa organs, I don't consider the Smiths to be New Wave, they're firmly in Alternaland.

[starskin]

You guys are making my simultaneously excited and terrified. Excited, because I'm discovering all new angles and ideas to think about, and terrified for the same reason! I read this thread and go: "Ooh, I haven't heard that!" or "Hmmm, that's an interesting idea, I wonder where I could fit that in?" And then I realize I am nowhere near knowing as much as I feel I should know to undertake this project. Meep! I'm furiously keeping notes, trying to assimilate all these lists and information. Heh.


And on that note, does anyone know of any good reading on the subject of New Wave? I know the pickings are slim, but I'm interested in anything from the socio-economic problems of the UK in the 1980s, to the history of music videos and synthesizers, individual band biographies, etc. I've already read a fair amount, and have other books in mind to buy once my loan money comes in, but I'm always looking out for more!

[CAgirl]

I'm loving reading everyone's favorites! And I'm so happy there are others who love DM as much as I do. Some people don't think they are popular anymore and are just an 80's band. They don't realize they sell out concerts and have a massive following.

There's a song I absolutely love by Dramarama called Anything. I adore that song. I sometimes put the song on repeat in the car all day.

The songs Kafka has for Erasure are my favorites, too! Especially Love to Hate You. The greatest hits album is usually on my cd rotation. Not one bad song on it.

I love Fascination and Don't you Want Me by Human League.

OMD: Electricity, If You Leave, and Dreaming.

I was able to see New Order some years ago at Moby's festival. I pretty much went just to see them and I wasn't disappointed. I knew I'd never have a chance to see them again.

I wish I could see Erasure in concert. That would make things complete for me.

Does Bananarama belong in this category? If so, I adore Cruel Summer.

Whenever I think of Morrissey, for some reason I always start to sing to myself, Your the One for Me Fatty. It's just such a funny title!

I'm sorry starskin, I don't know of any books on the subject. I wish you lots of luck! You chose a very interesting and fun topic.

[starskin]

In holding with my theory that Robert Smith and Morrissey have unrequited love for each other, I firmly believe that "You're the One for Me, Fatty" was written about Robert Smith.

And oh! Bananarama! I'd almost forgotten about them. I love Siobhan Fahey. She's such an odd duck but I love her voice.

I think my favorite Duran Duran song is actually "Electric Barbarella". I know it's probably not as popular as "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the like, but I loooove that song.

[iceblink]

starskin said:

In holding with my theory that Robert Smith and Morrissey have unrequited love for each other, I firmly believe that "You're the One for Me, Fatty" was written about Robert Smith.

Aaaaaaaaand I just died laughing.
"Fascination" by Human League!! That's a great one indeed. I've been listening to a Live 365 station a lot lately that plays ALL this stuff. It's perfect for summer for some reason...I think it reminds me of being a kid at the pool with the radio blaring in the background.

[carrier76]

I just thought of another one, "Kiss Me" by Tin Tin.

"You're the One for Me, Fatty." That is terrif.

[kafka]

starskin said:

I think my favorite Duran Duran song is actually "Electric Barbarella". I know it's probably not as popular as "Hungry Like the Wolf" and the like, but I loooove that song.

Actually, that's my favorite of theirs too. I totally forgot about it when making my list. Which is kinda sad since I have it burnt on about a gazillion CDs, and I have "Wild Boys" only on 1.

So, Starskin, what did you think of my beloved Cause & Effect? And what about Sisters of Mercy? Or are you still downloading? ;D

[Deleted]

Wee! "Fascist Groove Thing"—I totally forgot that song...love it!!! And Split Enz! I was listening to them in the car on the way home–driving faster so I could get home and post about "Six Months in a Leaky Boat" but TacoFlavored remembered way before me!

And on that note, does anyone know of any good reading on the subject of New Wave?

Short note: No. I found this via Amazon UK, but nothing at all substantial. The genre as a whole has never had the kind of academic attention afforded punk, which is kind of too bad.

My ultimate source for all things new wave in the 80s was Melody Maker that I used to buy at a kiosk in the city. Rolling Stone was kinda worthless as as guide to that scene—and I'm not sure about NME because I never read it. If you have access to those MM archives, however, I'm sure there's a treasure trove of history waiting to be pieced together. Can't WAIT to read it!

[starskin]

Kafka, my old dial-up connection is valiantly working to download the wealth of music you sent me. I'm really digging what I've heard so far. I giggled a bit when you included Enigma, because to me they're way more New Age than New Wave, but I did enjoy the song. And as I said earlier, the lead singer of Cause and Effect sounds like a cross between Dave Gahan and Martin Gore. It's weird! But I like it! Did you get the Snowdrops cover I sent you?

And LittleEdieBeale, yeah, I've put that book on my list of books to buy, but I think you're right. Most of my material is going to have to be culled from magazines, interviews and such. I'm not complaining, because I like having first-hand sources, but it's just going to make information gathering much more involved. I wonder where on earth I can find pop music magazine archives in England. There must be one somewhere, surely.