“Dreams Never End”, New Order

This way: Dreams Never End

New Order are an English rock band formed in 1980 by vocalist and guitarist Bernard Sumner, bassist Peter Hook, and drummer Stephen Morris. The band formed after the demise of Joy Division, following the suicide of lead singer Ian Curtis; they were joined by Gillian Gilbert on keyboards later that year. 

While the band’s early years were overshadowed by the legacy of Joy Division, their experience of the early 1980s New York club scene saw them increasingly incorporate dance rhythms and electronic instrumentation into their work. Their 1983 hit “Blue Monday” became the best-selling 12-inch single of all time and a popular club track. This track from 1981s “Movement”.

[Spotify] Dreams Never End

“On some Faraway Beach”, Brian Eno

This way: On some Faraway Beach

Brian Eno, is an English musician, record producer, visual artist, and theorist best known for his pioneering work in ambient music and contributions to rock, pop, and electronica. A self-described "non-musician", Eno has helped introduce unique conceptual approaches and recording techniques to contemporary music. He has been described as one of popular music’s most influential and innovative figures.

Born in Suffolk, Eno studied painting and experimental music at the art school of Ipswich Civic College in the mid 1960s, and then at Winchester School of Art. He joined glam rock group Roxy Music as synthesiser player in 1971, recording two albums with the group. He departed in 1973 to record a number of solo albums. He also collaborated with artists such as Robert Fripp, Cluster, Harold Budd, David Bowie, and David Byrne, and produced albums by artists including John Cale, Jon Hassell, Laraaji, Talking Heads and Devo, and the no wave compilation No New York (1978). In subsequent decades, Eno has continued to record solo albums and work with artists including U2, Laurie Anderson, Grace Jones, Slowdive, Kevin Shields, and Damon Albarn.

This is from his great album “Here Come the Warm Jets” from 1974.

[Spotify] On some Faraway Beach

“This Is How We Walk on the Moon”, Arthur Russell

This way: This Is How We Walk on the Moon

Arthur Russell (May 21, 1951 – April 4, 1992), was an American cellist, composer, singer, and musician whose work spanned the genres of classical, disco, experimental, folk and rock. Notable artists who collaborated with Russell include Allen Ginsberg, Philip Glass, Talking Heads, Jennifer Warnes, Bootsy Collins and Nicky Siano. 

Russell found the most commercial success in New York's underground dance and disco scene during the 1970s and 1980s. Although extremely prolific, the musician's near-chronic inability to finish projects resulted in an extremely limited amount of released output during his life. The only full length record of Russell's to be released while the musician was still alive was World of Echo on Rough Trade Records in 1986. The highly experimental album was a stark contrast to the typical collaboration he had participated in up until that point, and exclusively featured Russell solo performing cello, singing, and on hand percussion, often awash in echo and other effects.

Russell died from AIDS in 1992, still in relative obscurity and nearly broke. Throughout the 2000s, a series of reissues, compilations, books and a biographical documentary significantly raised his profile. Following his death, several albums of his various unreleased recordings were compiled and released, including Another Thought (1994), Calling Out of Context (2004), and Love is Overtaking Me (2008). 

[Spotify] This Is How We Walk on the Moon

“Crimson and Clover”, Tommy James and the Shondells

This way: Crimson and Clover

“Crimson and Clover” is a 1968 song by American rock band Tommy James and the Shondells. Written by the duo of Tommy James and drummer Peter Lucia Jr., it was intended as a change in direction of the group's sound and composition.

“Crimson and Clover” was released in late 1968 as a rough mix after a radio station leaked it. It spent 16 weeks on the U.S. charts, reaching number one in the United States (in February 1969) and other countries. The single has sold 5 million copies, making it Tommy James and the Shondells' best-selling song.

In 2006, Pitchfork Media named it the 57th best song of the 1960s.

[Spotify] Crimson and Clover

“Electrical Language”, Be Bop Deluxe

This way: Electrical Language

Be-Bop Deluxe were an English band who achieved critical acclaim and moderate commercial success during the mid to late 1970s.

The band’s sound emerged as a mixture of glam rock, prog rock and straightforward rock and roll. Science fiction imagery was common in the lyrics, along with the more traditional themes of love and the human condition. 

Be-Bop Deluxe was founded in Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England, by singer, guitarist and principal songwriter Bill Nelson in 1972. This track is from their final record, Drastic Plastic (1978). 

[Spotify] Electrical Language

“Born on a Train”, Arcade Fire

This way: Born on a Train

Arcade Fire is a Canadian indie rock band, consisting of husband and wife Win Butler and Régine Chassagne, along with Win's younger brother William Butler, Richard Reed Parry, Tim Kingsbury and Jeremy Gara. 

Here they are covering a Magnetic Fields song live on the radio (Live @ KCRW  01.17.2005). A version I like better than the original. 

[Spotify] Born on a Train 

Over here: Born on a Train (Original by The Magnetic Fields)

“Salsa Y Ketchup”, Zander Schloss

This way: Salsa Y Ketchup

Zander Schloss (born August 7, 1961) is an American musician, actor and composer. He is known as bass player for the Circle Jerks, the Weirdos, his many collaborations with Joe Strummer musically and in film and for his contributions to independent feature films.

His first screen appearance was as “Kevin the Nerd” (a dead ringer for Napoleon Dynamite) in Repo Man. He went on to appear in a number of Alex Cox films as well as to make significant musical contributions in other Cox features such as Sid and Nancy (1986), Straight to Hell (1987), Walker (1987), El Patrullero (1991) and The Winner (1996). This great track is from the Film “Straight to Hell”.

[Spotify, not likely] 

“You’re Still Standin’ There”, Steve Earle + Lucinda Williams

This way: You’re Still Standin’ There

I Feel Alright is the sixth studio album by Steve Earle, released in 1996. Here is a great duet with Lucinda Williams.  

[Spotify] You’re Still Standin’ There

“Summer Wine”, Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood

This way: Summer Wine

Duet week continues. I posted “Some Velvet Morning” recently, but many of Lee and Nancys collaborations bare repeated listens. Lee Hazlewood (July 9, 1929 – August 4, 2007) was an American country and pop singer, songwriter, and record producer, most widely known for his work with guitarist Duane Eddy during the late 1950s and singer Nancy Sinatra in the 1960s.

Hazlewood had a distinctive baritone voice that added a resonance to his music. His collaborations with Nancy Sinatra as well as his solo output in the late 1960s and early 1970s have been praised as an essential contribution to a sound often described as cowboy psychedelia or saccharine underground.

[Spotify] Summer Wine

“In Spite of Ourselves”, John Prine and Iris DeMent

This way: In Spite of Ourselves

Here is a great duet from John and Iris, This is from the PBS show ‘Live From Sessions at West 54th’. Some of these songs are better in a live setting what with all the story telling. John Prine is a national treasure with songwritin’ chops that won’t quit and Iris’s voice suits this song like a velvet glove. One of my favorites.

[Spotify] In Spite of Ourselves (studio version)

“Sometimes Always”, The Jesus And Mary Chain

This way: Sometimes Always

Duet week continues.

The Jesus and Mary Chain are a Scottish alternative rock band formed in East Kilbride in 1983. The band revolves around the songwriting partnership of brothers Jim and William Reid. Their debut album Psychocandy was released to critical acclaim in 1985 on major label WEA. The band went on to release five more studio albums before disbanding in 1999. Here they are with a great Duet featuring Hope Sandoval of Mazzy Star. 

[Spotify] Sometimes Always

“Candy”, Iggy Pop + Kate Pierson

This way: Candy

For some unknown reason, it is Duet week.

“Candy” is a song from Iggy Pop's ninth solo album, Brick by Brick. A duet with Kate Pierson of The B-52’s, it was the album’s second single, in September 1990. It became the biggest mainstream hit of Pop's career, as he reached the top 40 in the United States for the first and only time. The song additionally peaked within the top 10 in Australia, Belgium and the Netherlands. “I’ve written one good pop song: 'Candy',” he noted. “ It’s a very decent, proper pop song, but that’s as far as that went.”

[Spotify] Candy

“Illusions in G Major”, Electric Light Orchestra

This way: Illusions in G Major

The Electric Light Orchestra (ELO) are an English rock band formed in Birmingham in 1970 by songwriters/multi-instrumentalists Jeff Lynne and Roy Wood with drummer Bev Bevan. Their music is characterized by a fusion of Beatlesque pop, classical arrangements and futuristic iconography. After Wood’s departure in 1972, Lynne became the band’s sole leader, arranging and producing every album while writing virtually all of their original material. For their initial tenure, Lynne, Bevan and keyboardist Richard Tandy were the group's only consistent members. 

[Spotify] Illusions in G Major

“Trem Two”, Mission of Burma

This way: Trem Two

Here is a great one from Mission of Burmas 1982 LP “Vs”.

Mission of Burma is an American post-punk band formed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1979. The band was formed by Roger Miller (guitar), Clint Conley (bass), Peter Prescott (drums) and Martin Swope (tape manipulator/sound engineer). Miller, Conley and Prescott share singing and songwriting duties.

In early years the band's recordings were all released on the small Boston-based record label Ace of Hearts. Despite initial success, Mission of Burma disbanded in 1983 due to Miller's development of tinnitus caused by the volume of the band's live performances. In its original lineup, the band released only two singles, an EP, and one LP, Vs. Mission of Burma reformed in 2002, with Bob Weston replacing Swope, and has since recorded four more albums, ONoffON, The Obliterati, The Sound The Speed The Light and Unsound.

[Spotify] Trem Two

“A Promise”, Echo and the Bunnymen

This way: A Promise

This is one of my favorite bands of all time. Never got over them. Echo & the Bunnymen are an English rock band formed in Liverpool in 1978. This is one of my favorite songs of their fantastic and prolific 80s period. This is from “Heaven Up Here”, the second album by Echo & the Bunnymen, released on 30 May 1981.

[Spotify] A Promise

“The News”, Carbon/Silicon

This way: The News

Carbon/Silicon is a punk rock duo consisting of two experienced punk rock musicians: Mick Jones, formerly of The Clash and Big Audio Dynamite, and Tony James, formerly of Generation X and Sigue Sigue Sputnik. The band formed around 2002. This song is from 2007.

[Spotify] The News

“World Destruction”, Time Zone (Afrika Bambaataa feat.John Lydon)

This way: World Destruction

In December 1984, Time Zone released their most well-known single, “World Destruction”. A collaboration between Bambaataa, ex-Sex Pistol/Public Image Ltd. leader John Lydon, and producer/bassist Bill Laswell. The “World Destruction” single was arranged by Laswell after Lydon and Bambaataa had acknowledged respect for each other’s work:

Afrika Bambaataa: “I  was talking to Bill Laswell saying I need somebody who's really crazy, man, and he thought of John Lydon. I knew he was perfect because I'd seen this movie that he'd made (Copkiller), I knew about all the Sex Pistols and Public Image stuff, so we got together and we did a smashing crazy version, and a version where he cussed the Queen something terrible, which was never released.”

John Lydon: “We went in, put a drum beat down on the machine and did the whole thing in about four-and-a-half hours. It was very, very quick.”

[Spotify] World Destruction

“Face to Faces”, Sleaford Mods

This way: Face to Faces

Sleaford Mods are an English electronic punk music duo formed in 2007 in Nottingham. The band features vocalist Jason Williamson and, since 2012, musician Andrew Fearn. They are known for their abrasive, minimalist musical style and embittered explorations of austerity-era Britain, culture, and working class life, delivered in Williamson's East Midlands accent. The duo have released several albums to critical praise. Sleaford Mods have described their work as “electronic munt minimalist punk-hop rants for the working  class”.
 [Spotify] Face to Faces

“Wonderboy”, Tenacious D

This way: Wonderboy

Tenacious D is an American comedy rock duo, formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1994. It was founded by actors Jack Black and Kyle Gass, who were part of The Actors' Gang theater company at the time. The duo's name is derived from “tenacious defense”, a phrase used by NBA basketball sportscaster Marv Albert.

Prior to the release of Tenacious D’s 2001 debut album Tenacious D, the duo had a three-episode TV series released on HBO, with the episodes broadcasting between 1997 and 2000. These episodes came about after the band had met David Cross and Bob Odenkirk on the Los Angeles music scene—and Black featuring in episodes of Mr. Show with Bob and David. The band also befriended former Nirvana drummer Dave Grohl, and this would begin a working relationship between Foo Fighters and Tenacious D. Towards the end of the 1990s, the duo supported large rock acts such as Pearl Jam, Tool and Beck.  

[Spotify] Wonderboy

“Folsom Prison Blues/Pinball Wizard”, Puddles Pity Party

This way: Folsom Prison Blues/Pinball Wizard

Originally, Puddles was a Shriner clown, but eventually developed into Puddles Pity Party, wearing the distinctive whiteface clown costume. Geier now considers himself and Puddles to be separate people, and refuses to break character for anything. Like Geier himself, Puddles has a baritone singing voice, and sings mostly covers of songs. Puddles has a depressed persona and refrains from speaking on stage or giving interviews.   

[Spotify] Folsom Prison Blues/Pinball Wizard

“Back in Flesh”, Wall of Voodoo

This way: Back in Flesh

Wall of Voodoo was an American new wave group from Los Angeles, California, United States, best known for the 1983 hit “Mexican Radio”. The band had a sound that was a fusion of synthesizer-based new wave music with the spaghetti Western soundtrack style of Ennio Morricone. Sardonic comes to mind.

In 1977, with the addition of Skulls members Bruce Moreland as bassist and Chas T. Gray as keyboardist, along with Joe Nanini, who had been the drummer for the Bags, the Eyes, and Black Randy and the Metrosquad, the first lineup of Wall of Voodoo was born.

[Spotify] Back in Flesh

“Bobby Shannon”, Sister Double Happiness

This way: Bobby Shannon

Sister Double Happiness was an alternative blues rock band that existed from 1986 until 1995, formed in San Francisco. Its core members were Gary Floyd and Lynn Perko, who were in the seminal punk rock band The Dicks, and Ben Cohen of the Pop-o-Pies.

Sister Double Happiness recorded and released four LPs, one EP, and one live record in its nine-year existence. After they disbanded, Floyd went on to front Black Kali Ma and recorded solo material. Perko later joined Imperial Teen.

[Spotify] Bobby Shannon

“Don't Want to Know If you are Lonely”, Hüsker Dü

This way: Don't Want to Know If you are Lonely

Hüsker Dü was an American rock band formed in Saint Paul, Minnesota, in 1979. The band's continual members were guitarist/vocalist Bob Mould, bassist/vocalist Greg Norton, and drummer/vocalist Grant Hart. Hüsker Dü first gained notability as a hardcore punk band, later crossing over into alternative rock. Mould and Hart were the principal songwriters for Hüsker Dü, with Hart's higher-pitched vocals and Mould's baritone taking the lead in alternating songs.

Following the release of three LPs and an EP on independent label SST Records, including the critically acclaimed Zen Arcade in 1984, the band signed to Warner Bros. Records in 1986 to release their final two studio albums. Hüsker Dü disbanded in January 1988. Mould later released two solo albums before forming Sugar in the early 1990s, while Hart released a solo album on SST and later formed Nova Mob.

[Spotify] Don't Want to Know If you are Lonely

“Dark Entries”, Bauhaus

This way: Dark Entries

Bauhaus are an English rock band, formed in Northampton, England, in 1978. The group consisted of Daniel Ash (guitar, saxophone), Peter Murphy (vocals, occasional instruments), Kevin Haskins (drums) and David J (bass). The band was originally named Bauhaus 1919 in reference to the first operating year of the German art school Bauhaus, although they shortened the name within a year of formation. One of the pioneers of gothic rock, Bauhaus were known for their dark image and gloomy sound, although they mixed many genres, including dub, glam rock, psychedelia and funk.

Bauhaus broke up in 1983. Murphy began a solo career while Ash and Haskins continued as Tones on Tail and, later, reunited with David J to form Love and Rockets. Both enjoyed greater commercial success in the United States than Bauhaus had, but disappeared from the charts in their homeland. Bauhaus eventually reunited for a 1998 tour, again from 2005 to 2008, and once again in 2019.

[Spotify] Dark Entries