“Systems of Romance”, John Foxx

This way: Systems of Romance

I love the solo albums of John Foxx. His work with Ultravox is stellar, but his unique vision is best left without a committee. The Garden is a 1981 album by John Foxx, the follow-up to his debut solo album Metamatic, released the previous year. However, its instrumentation and highly romantic style is more comparable to Systems of Romance, his last album with former band Ultravox, released in 1978.

The sound and subject matter of The Garden were informed by a number of factors: the composer's Catholic upbringing and early exposure to Latin mass and Gregorian chant; his exploration of England’s countryside, architecture and history following the release of Metamatic; and the song “Systems of Romance”, which had been written during sessions for the Ultravox album of the same name but was not included on the record, even though its title was used.

[Spotify] Systems of Romance

[Extra credit] Systems of Romance Live From 1983

“Pretty Boy Floyd”, Woody Guthrie

This way: Pretty Boy Floyd

Is there anybody better then Woody Guthrie? I fear to know what music would be like today with out him. Woody Guthrie wrote a protest song romanticizing Floyd's life in 1939 called "Pretty Boy Floyd" which recounted Floyd's supposed generosity to the poor. It satirically compared foreclosing bankers to outlaws. 

[Spotify] Pretty Boy Floyd

[Extra credit] Pretty Boy Floyd Pete Seeger version (1961)

“Up in the Air”, Hüsker Dü

This way: Up in the Air

Is this my favorite band? This is perhaps my favorite band. 

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. 

After the respective bands broke up in the mid-1990s, Mould and Hart continued doing solo work, the latter until his death in 2017.is is from the final studio LP, Warehouse: Songs and Stories (1987).

Th

[Spotify] Up in the Air

“Detachable Penis”, King Missile

This way: Detachable Penis

King Missile is an American avant-garde art rock band best known for their 1992 song "Detachable Penis". Formed in 1986, vocalist John S. Hall has fronted several incarnations of the band since then. It was the first single from the band's 1992 album Happy Hour. 

[Spotify] Detachable Penis

“No Hit Wonder”, Cory Branan

This way: No Hit Wonder

Cory Branan (born December 15, 1974) is an American singer-songwriter from Mississippi. In 2014, Branan released The No-Hit Wonder on Bloodshot Records on August 19, 2014. The album, produced by Paul Ebersold and recorded over the period of three days in Nashville at The Sound Kitchen, features contributions by Craig Finn and Steve Selvidge of The Hold Steady, Tim Easton, Caitlin Rose, Austin Lucas, and Jason Isbell. "Slick" Joe Fick from The Dempseys plays upright bass on the song "Sour Mash" – a song about a dry county where a whiskey company makes its liquor – and Audley Freed also appears. Sadler Vaden (Drivin N Cryin, Jason Isbell) is on electric guitar and John Radford on play drums on the record.

[Spotify] No Hit Wonder

“Red Eye #9”, The Plugz

This way: Red Eye #9

The Plugz (also known as "Los Plugz") were a Latino punk band from Los Angeles, California that formed in 1977 and disbanded in 1984. They and The Zeros were among the first Latino punk bands, although several garage rock bands, such as Thee Midniters and Question Mark & the Mysterians, predated them. The Plugz melded the spirit of punk and Latino music.

The band was formed in 1977 and was a contemporary of the bands featured in the film The Decline of Western Civilization. Their songs reflected the anger and angst of growing up Chicano, and this was reflected in their sardonic hi-speed version of Ritchie Valens' "La Bamba". The Plugz are generally acknowledged as being the first D.I.Y. punk band in L.A., having started their own PLUGZ RECORDS and later Fatima records. 

[Spotify] not likely

“Straight to Hell”, Joe Strummer

This way: Straight to Hell

Straight to Hell is a 1987 independent action-comedy film directed by Alex Cox and starring Sy Richardson, Joe Strummer, Dick Rude, and Courtney Love. The film also features cameos by Dennis Hopper, Grace Jones, Elvis Costello, Edward Tudor-Pole, Kathy Burke, and Jim Jarmusch. Band members of The Pogues, Amazulu, and The Circle Jerks are also featured in the film. The film borrows its title from The Clash’s 1982 song of the same name.  

Straight to Hell is a song by the Clash, from their album Combat Rock. It was released as a double A-side single with "Should I Stay or Should I Go" on 17 September 1982 in 12" and 7" vinyl format

[Spotify] Straight to Hell

“Home Truth Song”, Barry Gibb

This way: Home Truth Song

Barry Gibb (born 1 September 1946) is a British-American singer, songwriter, musician and record producer who rose to worldwide fame as a co-founder of the group the Bee Gees, one of the most commercially successful groups in the history of popular music. With his younger brothers, twins Robin and Maurice Gibb, he formed a songwriting partnership beginning in 1955.  

I can't explain it, but damn this is a great song. The Bee Gees are really undeniable even if it’s not your cup of tea. 

[Spotify] Home Truth Song

“Face the Fire”, Boy Harsher

This way: Face the Fire

Boy Harsher is an American electronic music group, formed in 2013 in Savannah, Georgia. Currently based in Northampton, Massachusetts, the band consists of vocalist Jae Matthews and producer Augustus Muller. The band has amassed a cult following since their formation, and their song "Pain" become an underground hit. Matthews and Muller own and run the label Nude Club, which is exclusively devoted to Boy Harsher and related artists. From 2019. 

[Spotify] Face the Fire

“It's Obvious”, Au Pairs

This way: It‘s Obvious

The Au Pairs were a British post-punk band that formed in Birmingham in 1978 and continued until 1983. They produced two studio albums and three singles. Their songs were said to have "contempt for the cliches of contemporary sexual politics" and their music has been compared to the Gang of Four and the Young Marble Giants. The band was led by Lesley Woods, who was once described as one of the most striking women in British rock.   

[Spotify] It‘s Obvious

“This Mess We’re In”, PJ Harvey, with Thom Yorke

This way: This Mess We’re In

Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea is the fifth studio album by English alternative rock musician PJ Harvey, released on 23 October 2000 by Island Records. Recorded during March to April 2000, it contains themes of love that are tied into Harvey's affection for New York City. 

The album became the second major commercial success of her recording career, following her successful breakthrough To Bring You My Love (1995). Upon its release, the album received acclaim from most music critics and earned Harvey several accolades, including the 2001 Mercury Prize. It spent 17 weeks on the UK Albums Chart, and was certified Platinum in the UK and Australia.

[Spotify] This Mess We’re In

“Memories”, PiL

This way: Memories

The first 3 LPs by PiL are really fantastic. They took abrasive to a new level, but it's also very listenable. Public Image Ltd (abbreviated as PiL) are an English post-punk band formed by singer John Lydon, guitarist Keith Levene, bassist Jah Wobble, and drummer Jim Walker. The group's personnel has changed frequently over the years; Lydon has been the sole constant member. 

Following his departure from the Sex Pistols in January 1978, Lydon sought a more experimental "anti-rock" project and formed PiL. That year PiL released their debut First Issue (1978), creating an abrasive, bass-heavy sound that drew on dub, noise, progressive rock and disco. PiL's second album Metal Box (1979) pushed their sound further into the avant-garde.

[Spotify] Memories

“This Must Be the Place”, Talking Heads

This way: This Must Be the Place

Here is a completely delightful song by one of the all time great bands. Talking Heads were an American rock band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne (lead vocals, guitar), Chris Frantz (drums), Tina Weymouth (bass), and Jerry Harrison (keyboards, guitar). Described by the critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine as "one of the most critically acclaimed bands of the '80s," the group helped to pioneer new wave music by integrating elements of punk, art rock, funk, and world music with avant-garde sensibilities and an anxious, clean-cut image. 

 [Spotify] This Must Be the Place

“Cast a Shadow”, Beat Happening

This way: Cast a Shadow

Beat Happening is an American indie pop band formed in Olympia, Washington in 1982. Calvin Johnson, Heather Lewis, and Bret Lunsford have been the band's continual members. Beat Happening were early leaders in the American indie pop and lo-fi movements, noted for their use of primitive recording techniques, disregard for the technical aspects of musicianship, and songs with subject matters of a childish or coy nature. Also this band is the basis of K Records. From 1989.

 [Spotify] Cast a Shadow

“I Saw Dead Jim’s Shade”, Monitor

This way: I Saw Dead Jim’s Shade

I saw these guys a few times back in the day. Highly entertaining. MONITOR was a short-lived Los Angeles art punk band that first performed on Halloween 1978. The group was part the experimental transmedia micro-scene of "Associated Skull Bands" like Nervous Gender, Human Hands, BPeople, and Boyd Rice's NON. Through the mail art network, MONITOR connected with DEVO pal Ed Barger who recorded MONITOR's self-titled LP in 1980. Writing for the Los Angeles Reader, Matt Groening (yes, that Matt Groening) said in 1981 that "MONITOR's debut album, a compendium of mutant amplified folk tunes is the best local release I've heard all year." Now, Superior Viaduct records has reissued that LP on CD with additional bonus tracks. Special note: the track "Hair" on the album was actually performed by The Meat Puppets at MONITOR's invitation. Who does that? Lovely.

[Spotify] I Saw Dead Jim’s Shade

“Can’t Stop”, That Petrol Emotion

This way: Can’t Stop

That Petrol Emotion were a Northern Irish, London-based band with a North American vocalist, Steve Mack. Initially featuring two former members of celebrated Derry pop-punk band The Undertones (plus ex-members of fellow Derry bands Bam Bam and The Calling and Derry Hitmakers), they recorded five albums between 1986 and 1994, exploring an eclectic fusion of alternative rock, post-punk, garage rock and dance music (including sampling) which in part anticipated and overlapped with the dance-pop era of the 1990s. From Manic Pop Thril, 1986.

Following a 14-year break, the band reunited in 2008 for various dates, tours and festival appearances before returning to hiatus in 2010. Four members of the band went on to form The Everlasting Yeah.  

[Spotify] Can’t Stop

“Where’s Captain Kirk”, Spizzenergi

This way: Where’s Captain Kirk

Spizzenergi is an English punk/new wave band led by vocalist/guitarist Spizz (real name Kenneth Spiers). Formed in the late 1970s, the band changed its name every year, subsequent names including Athletico Spizz 80, Spizzoil and The Spizzles.

They are notable as the first band to top the newly created UK Indie Chart early in 1980 with the single "Where's Captain Kirk?" More than two decades after its release, it was included in Mojo magazine's list of the best punk rock singles of all time.

Hat tip to Dawn for snagging this one back in the day.

[Spotify] Where’s Captain Kirk

[Extra credit] Where’s Captain Kirk by R.E.M. From 1992

“Video Killed the Radio Star”, Bruce Woolley and the Camera Club

This way: Video Killed the Radio Star

Bruce Woolley (born 11 November 1953) is an English musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He wrote songs with artists such as The Buggles and Grace Jones, including "Video Killed the Radio Star" and "Slave to the Rhythm", and co-founded The Radio Science Orchestra. 

In 1979 Woolley established the new wave music outfit The Camera Club with Thomas Dolby on keyboards, Matthew Seligman on bass, Dave Birch on guitar and Rod Johnson on drums. Seligman joined The Soft Boys, and was replaced by Nigel Ross-Scott. Woolley co-wrote the Ivor Novello Award-nominated "Video Killed The Radio Star", together with Horn and Downes, who later became The Buggles.


[Spotify] Video Killed the Radio Star

[Extra Credit] Video Killed the Radio Star —Buggles

“Paradise”, John Prine, dead at 73

This way: Paradise

Sad to hear of the death of John Prine, one of the great American songwriters. Like a lot of folk artists his records often suffer from misguided production. This a great example of his near perfect song, Paradise. But he has a hundred or so just as good as this.  

[Spotify] Paradise

“Cronenberg”, Nun

This way: Cronenberg

Synth-punk band from Melbourne, Australia. This LP is from 2014. 

[Spotify] Cronenberg