Radiohead "Pablo Honey" (1993)

Pablo Honey [debut]
release date: Apr. 20, 1993
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5] [2,62]
producer: Sean Slade, Paul Q. Kolderie
label: Parlophone / EMI - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 2. "Creep" - 3. "How Do You?" - 6. "Anyone Can Play Guitar" - 12. "Blow Out"

Studio debut album by British 5-piece britpop and guitar-band Radiohead consisting of Thom Yorke on vocals, guitar, tape loops, the two brothers Greenwood: Jonny on guitar, piano and organ, and with Colin on bass. The last two members are Ed O'Brien, also on guitar and backing vocals, and lastly Phil Selway handling drums. In Britain, Radiohead was compared to the bands of the American grunge rock scene, under influence of the quiet-loud school exemplified by Pixies, and Radiohead was referred to as the British Nirvana, but mostly the debut wasn't an overwhelming success and many critics found - what I think of it - that there are so many references to other bands that it's difficult to talk about a highly original release. Not so much alone because of the many sources of inspiration but simply because it either sounds as The Smiths, as U2, as Nirvana, as Red Hot Chili Peppers, or whatever band associated with or in the outskirts of grunge rock, britpop or pop / rock... and never really as something representing an original mix. Despite not knowing anything of the band back then, I find this very album a wee bit boring and of little interest, although, the above-mentioned songs are all clearly above mediocre.
The single track "Creep" became a monster hit in a slow process which involved the song going big in Israel after which it was reissued in the US, however, it brought the band a sore experience as it turned out that it's a song that shares similarities with "The Air I Breathe" by The Hollies from 1973 and Radiohead was sued for plagiarism, and lost the case, which is why Albert Hammond and Mike Hazlewood from The Holies are credited as co-composers of "Creep". Comparing the two songs, the case against Radiohead and the verdict only seems like an unjust court decision.
Pablo Honey is best known for the inclusion of "Creep" and only for being the band's debut album but in the band's discography the album is only for hardcore fans as you wont find many similarities with the band's later efforts.
[ allmusic.com (retrospect), Q Magazine, Rolling Stone (retrospect), Uncut (retrospect) 3 / 5, Blender 2 / 5 stars ]

Bauhaus "The Singles: 1981-1983" (1983)

The Singles: 1981-1983 (compilation)
release date: Oct. 1983
format: vinyl (Mini-album) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5]
producer: Bauhaus, Hugh Jones, John Sparrow
label: Beggars Banquet - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "The Passion of Lovers" (4 / 5) - 2. "Kick in the Eye" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "Spirit" (5 / 5) - - B) 1. "Ziggy Stardust" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Lagartija Nick" (3,5 / 5) - 3. "She's in Parties" 4,5 / 5)

A compilation ep or Mini-album released after Bauhaus split in mid-1983. In 1985 the double vinyl compilation album Bauhaus 1979–1983 was released containing all of these tracks and an additional 17 [!] tracks - in 1986 this was released on cd on two separate volumes.

Lisa Miskovsky "Violent Sky" (2011)

Violent Sky
release date: Jan. 28, 2011
format: digital
[album rate: 1,5 / 5]

Tracklist: 1. "This Fire" (2,5 / 5) - 2. "Got a Friend" (3 / 5) - 3. "Lover" (1,5 / 5) - 4. "Silver Shoes" (2 / 5) - 5. "Some of Us" (2,5 / 5) - 6. "Call Me Anything But My Name" - 7. "Get It On" - 8. "Wise Guy 2010" - 9. "Let Them Come" - 10. "A Little High"

4th studio album release by Lisa Miskovsky.
Got a Friend is an Okay single from this album but gosh the rest is poor songwriting. This is like Madonna meets Abba meets Alanis Morissette meets Tina Dicko goes to an X-Factor audition, and passes [Yeah? Wow!], and is eventually sent on to win the lot... 'cause everyone knows what that takes :-/
.. and I'm really bored. Even without the country style, she doesn't succeed with this one. Luckily, Sweden has so much more to offer.

Lisa Miskovsky "Fallingwater" (2003)

Fallingwater
release date: Oct. 2003
format: digital
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]

Tracklist: 1. "Lady Stardust" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "A Brand New Day" (2 / 5) - 3. "Sing to Me" (2,5 / 5) - 4. "You Dance Just Like Me" - 5. "Sweet Dreams" - 6. "One Dark Night" - 7. "Midnight Sun" - 8. "Butterfly Man" - 9. "Restless Heart" - 10. "Joan of Arc" (2,5 / 5) - 11. "Take Me By The Hand" - 12. "Back to Stoneberry Road"

2nd studio album release by Swedish composer and pop singer Lisa Miskovsky. The album was very well-received in Sweden and the album went all the way to top the national albums chart list selling 'Platinum'. The singer / songwriter of Kent, Joakim Berg, produced the album, which wasn't released internationally until 2005. The first track "Lady Stardust" was an immediate hit but like many of the other tracks, she appears to be too much of a polished (too sweet and superficial) Swedish version of Alanis Morissette, for my taste, and then there's this country element that just doesn't make it better.

T. Rex "Dandy in the Underworld" (1977)

Dandy in the Underworld
release date: Mar. 11, 1977
format: cd
[album rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: Marc Bolan
label: EMI Records - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Dandy in the Underworld" - 4. "I'm a Fool for You Girl" - 5. "I Love to Boogie" - 7. "Jason B. Sad" - 12. "Teen Riot Structure"

12th and final studio album by T. Rex. As usual all tracks were written by Bolan and the band name served as a mere pseudonym for Bolan himself as the only lasting member at this point was bassist Steve Currie who had been in the band since 1970. The album was a return to form and to laud as it peaked at number #26 on the album chart list despite not being a punk rock or new wave release. The previous album Futuristic Dragon (1976) was despite its inclusion of funk and soul more in sync with his material from the early 70s than this, where Bolan again has simplified the musical expression by turning down the glam rock side and turning up boogie rock, which at this point a band like Status Quo had success with. A few tracks even have art rock or new wave elements, and the album is by many critics seen as Bolan's swan song. He was back in people's mind as TV host for music program featuring new artists, and he even toured with one of Britain's very first punk rock bands, The Damned. A few years later gothic rock became associated with glam rock and Bolan was one of the finest origins but he didn't experience a second glorification as he died in a car crash, Sep. 1977.

Stoffer og Maskinen "Astronaut" (2013)

Astronaut
release date: Feb. 4, 2013
format: digital
[album rate: 3 / 5]

Track highlights: 1. "Timeglasset" (3,5 / 5) - 2. "Tiger & gazelle" (3 / 5) - 5. "Byens tage" (4 / 5) - 6. "Bag dine øjenlåg" (3 / 5) - 8. "Kærestebrevet" (3,5 / 5) - 10. "Og i hans øjne..." 3 / 5) - 11. "Tænkte ikke på livet" (3,5 / 5) (acoustic live version)

2nd studio album release by the Danish pop band Stoffer og Maskinen. It's a better release compared to the debut album Stoffer og Maskinen (2008), which almost didn't have a single interesting track. "Byens tage" is a really fine contemporary pop song. Two or three fine tracks don't make a great album but I think they have potential to make a really fine release, and at least they seem to have found more of their own style. This is not indie pop / indie rock as the debut but a more polished style. Their blue-eyed pop sometimes has a hint of Swedish The Knife but on the weaker tracks they have a similar sound and style (1980s?) to that of Nikolaj og Piloterne, only, I think this is generally an improvement to that.

Stoffer og Maskinen "Stoffer og Maskinen" (2010)

Stoffer og Maskinen [debut]
release date: Mar. 15, 2010
format: digital
[album rate: 2 / 5]

Studio debut album by the Danish duo Stoffer og Maskinen, consisting of Andreas 'Maskinen' Sommer (programming and production) and Christoffer 'Stoffer' Budtz (vocals). I don't think this is a very good debut. It only sounds like a wannabe-Mew band. The first two tracks are like rehearsals on Mew tracks and neither instrumentation or vocals are near that. Other tracks sound like a fusion of the teenage bands Carpark North and Dúné... and that's not really aiming at anything.

Søren Huss "Oppefra & ned" (2012)

Oppefra & ned
release date: Oct. 15, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,94]
producer: Søren Huss, Hussband
label: Universal - nationality: Denmark

Track highlights: 1. "Det er ganske enkelt" (5 / 5) - 2. "De sorte tal" (4 / 5) - 4. "Oppefra og ned" - 6. "Fru Mørke" - 8. "Adgang forbudt" (4 / 5) - 9. "Øjeblikket" (4 / 5) - 10. "Den smukkeste sommerdag" (4 / 5)

2nd studio album by Søren Huss co-produced with Hussband, aka Christoffer Møller, Jeppe Kjellberg, Morten Jørgensen og Jesper Elnegaard ('Hussband' is a wordplay with the word 'house-band', which is spelled 'husband').
The album is the difficult follow-up to a great solo debut, and yes, he did it again! This is another fine studio album, and a much more positive and energetic pop / rock album. It contains some downright fine narratives and in some ways it's actually bettering the debut by reaching a high quality level, and in another way it doesn't reach the same high level by also having a few album fillers (tracks #5-7). Anyhow, both albums are unique releases showing that great music still comes from this small country when only one knows where to look.

Erik Grip "Gammelt & nyt" (1986)

Gammelt & nyt, (compilation)
release date: 1986
format: vinyl (EXL 30030)
[album rate: 3,5 / 5]
producer: Holger Laumann
label: Exlibris - nationality: Denmark

9th album by Danish folk troubadur and singer / songwriter Erik Grip is a compilation of primarily previously released songs, although it also contains two new compositions, thus framed by the title ['Old and New'].

BEST OF 1982:Laurie Anderson "Big Science" (1982)

Big Science [debut]
release date: Apr. 19, 1982
format: vinyl (WB K 57 002) / cd (2007 remaster)
[album rate: 5 / 5] [4,78]
producer: Laurie Anderson, Roma Baran
label: Warner Bros. - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "From the Air" (5 / 5) - 2. "Big Science" - 3. "Sweaters" - 4. "Walking & Falling" - 5. "Born, Never Asked" (5 / 5) (live) - 6. "O Superman (For Massenet)" (5 / 5) - 7. "Example #22" - 8. "Let X=X" (live) - 9. "It Tango"

Studio album debut by Laurie Anderson released on Warner - the 2007 remaster by Nonesuch Records. This is a corner-stone of modern pop music, and it's a masterpiece of avant-garde art rock synthpop - and it's still fantastic. The music is extremely original, although one may find that she's inspired by other artists of modern classical minimalism and musique concrete, e.g. Frank Zappa, Jean Michel Jarre, John Cage, and perhaps most evidently: Philip Glass. Nevertheless, Anderson had already experimented with other ways of musical output from the 1960s, and the music on Big Science also contains traces to German, French, and Japanese electronic pop music but her special sound remains unique. The minimalist music is of course central but her play with words and lyrics is likewise at supreme level, which makes it such a masterpiece.

1982 Favourite releases: 1. Laurie Anderson Big Science - 2. Dead Kennedys Plastic Surgery Disasters - 3. Elvis Costello & The Attractions Imperial Bedroom

Show lyrics <- click...

~ ~ ~

"It Tango"

"She said: it looks. don't you think it looks a lot like rain?
He said: isn't it. isn't it just. isn't it just like a woman?
She said: it's hard. it's just hard. it's just kind of hard to say.
He said: isn't it. isn't it just. isn't it just like a woman?
She said: it goes. that's the way it goes. it goes that way.
He said: isn't it. isn't it just like a woman?
She said: it takes. it takes one. it takes one to. it takes one to know one.
He said: isn't it just like a woman?
She said: she said it. she said it to no. she said it to no one.
Isn't it. isn't it just? isn't it just like a woman?
Your eye. today's work. to look into them.
your eyes. it's a day's work. just. looking into them."

~ ~ ~

Laurie Anderson

~ ~ ~

Laurie Anderson (aka Laura Phillips Anderson, born Jun. 5, 1947 in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, USA) is an American art pop avant-garde and performance artist. Alongside her studio albums releases, she has worked with many other artists (musicians and non-musicians), and released several live albums, and she has also dedicated much of her live performances to the spoken-word genre. She has been honored with prizes for her music and for her musical influence to electronic and art pop music in general. She married Lou Reed in 2008.

~ ~ ~

Laid Back "... Keep Smiling" (1983)

... Keep Smiling (Club Edition)
release date: 1983
format: vinyl (MdLP 6150)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,06]
producer: 'De Syv Små Dværge'
label: Medley Records - nationality: Denmark

2nd studio album by Laid Back in a Club Edition - exclusively for Pladeringen.

Killing Joke "Me or You?" (1983) (single)

Me or You?, 7'' single
release date: Oct. 1983
format: vinyl (EGO 14)
[single rate: 3,5 / 5] [3,28]
producer: John Porter, Killing Joke
label: EG Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) "Me or You?" - - B) "Wilful Days"

Single release by Killing Joke is two non-album tracks, and the single peaked at position #57 on the UK singles chart list.

Madness "7" (1981)

7
release date: Oct. 1981
format: cd (1989 reissue) / digital (2010 Deluxe Edition)
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,88]
producer: Clive Langer, Alan Winstanley
label: Virgin Records / Union Square - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Cardiac Arrest" - 2. "Shut Up" - 3. "Sign of the Times" - 5. "Mrs. Hutchinson" - 7. "Grey Day" - 9. "Promises Promises" - 10. "Benny Bullfrog"
*Disc 2: 2. "Sign of the Times" (BBC Richard Skinner session recording) - 7. "It Must Be Love" - 9. "In the City" - 10. "Cardiac Arrest (12" Extended Version)"
*2010 2 Disc Deluxe Edition

3rd studio album by Madness originally released by Stiff Records has like the first two albums the producer-team Langer-Winstanley - here with a title that simply refers to the size of the band.
The album sounds much like the predecessor with tracks pointing back in time with uptempo aggressive beats, songs that are more mainstream-founded and compositions with British pub rock attitude and humour. "Grey Day" was the first single from the album, and it does sound as if from another album in mind as it's a more political and rock-based track that would've been fitting for The Clash or the like.. The official video does, however quite nicely, try to make it a typical Madness production. It peaked as number #4 on the singles chart list. "Shut Up" reached number #7, but frankly I think, "Cardiac Arrest" would have been the easy choice for a single release - which it was though; however, not until Feb. '82 when it was issued in a remixed version [!?!] peaking at number #14...
Anyway, the album - reaching a position as number #7 on the albums chart list in the UK - didn't reach the same high sales numbers as its two predecessors, perhaps because the band still was hard to place: were they for the vast masses of mainstream pop / rock, or a cult-audience, and then why release an album that truly signals incoherence in terms of style, seriousness and production sound?
Well, I like it, and think of it as an album they needed to make before going mainstream. In retrospect it links nicely with Absolutely and the successor The Rise & Fall (1982).
The 2010 Deluxe Edition is a fine edition with relevant A- and B-side singles as bonus material. "It Must Be Love" (cover of Labi Siffre 1971 song) from Nov. '81 is an almost essential Madness song but it was only released as a single after the release of 7, hence otherwise only issued on compilation albums.
Highly recommendable.
[ allmusic.com 4 / 5, Rolling Stone 3 / 5 stars ]

Underworld "Second Toughest in the Infants" (1996)

Second Toughest in the Infants
release date: Mar. 4, 1996
format: cd (1998 reissue)
[album rate: 3 / 5] [3,62]
producer: Underworld
lable. JBO - nationality: England, UK

Track highlights: 1. "Juanita / Kiteless / To Dream of Love" - 2. "Banstyle / Sappys Curry" - 3. "Confusion the Waitress" - 4. "Rowla" - 5. "Pearls Girl" (4 / 5) - 8. "Stagger"

4th studio album by Underworld and the second as a electronic trio.
The band continue its explorations into trance but also with hints of breakbeat.
It's a rather experimental release where the band adds conventional instrumentation to its predominantly electronic style by the use of loops, and they seem to explore more on this compared to the predecessor Dubnobasswithmyheadman from 1994, which appears as a more coherent electronic album, but Second Toughest in the Infants reveals a distinct trait of balancing the pace of slow meditative parts with bolder energetic outburst, which is a dynamic recipe they would keep to on later releases.
The album was not an immediate favourite, but I have come to reevaluate my initial thoughts more than once when speaking of this particular album. With this, they're on the right move away from early electronic techno and trance in their sound of progressive house, and this particular album has always been there in the outskirts of great albums and is a true grower once you let it unfold.
The album is the trio's second electronic release on which they show that they have found their style, and this is their first truly successful originally sounding studio album, imho.
It was released to critical acclaim, it peaked at number #9 on the UK albums chart list, and it has been included in Mojo's "100 Greatest Albums of Our lifetime" and in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die" - the so far only by Underworld.
[ allmusic.com 5 / 5, NME 4 / 5 stars ]

Ramones "Too Tough to Die" (1984)

Too Tough to Die
release date: Oct. 1, 1984
format: cd
[album rate: 2,5 / 5]
producer: Tommy Ramone, Ed Stasium
label: Sire Records - nationality: USA

8th studio album by Ramones is an attempt to return to former hey-days exemplified by producer-duo Tommy Ramone and Ed Stasium who also stood behind Road to Ruin (1978). Ritchie Ramone has replaced Marky on drums, the latter having played in the band since the '78 album. A bit ironic that Marky apparently was fired for alcohol abuse - ironic 'cause also Joey was a notorious alcoholic but he may have seemed irreplaceable (and then Dee Dee was a cocaine addict at the time).
Yes, the sound is back to something one can easily determine as Ramones and their power pop- or 'bubblegum'-driven version of punk rock. The only negative side of it is the absence of great tracks - the compositions are just not there anymore. The magic seems gone, and to me, this marks the end to Ramones as I had already given up on the band after Pleasant Dreams (1981). However, the band would go on in slightly different line-ups (Marky returning and Dee Dee being fired, replaced, and eventually re-adopted in the band) to release another six studio albums - the final being ¡Adiós Amigos! released in 1995.
[ allmusic.com 4,5 / 5, Rolling Stone 4 / 5 stars ]

Paul Banks "Banks" (2012)

Banks
release date: Oct. 23, 2012
format: cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,02]
producer: Paul Banks and Peter Katis
label: Matador Records - nationality: USA

Tracklist: 1. "The Base" (4,5 / 5) - 2. "Over My Shoulder" - 3. "Arise, Awake" - 4. "Young Again" (4 / 5) - 5. "Lisbon" - 6. "I'll Sue You" (4 / 5) - 7. "Paid for That" - 8. "Another Chance" - 9. "No Mistakes" - 10. "Summertime Is Coming" (4 / 5) (live on KEXP)

Studio debut album by lead vocalist of Interpol with his second solo album [!]. His first actual solo debut was released under the name of Julian Plenti and was musically far from that of Interpol with a polished styled art pop, synthpop, which explains the alias in an attempt to distance himself from the darker post-punk image bound to his name. Banks is then his solo debut released in his own name, and it's a fine return to the style of Interpol with a touch of art rock and indie pop and I almost said singer / songwriter... at least he sort of steps more into the foreground lyrically.

I really enjoy and recommend this album and find it one of the best releases in 2012.

2012 Favourite releases: 1. Marie Key De her dage - 2. Paul Banks Banks - 3. Alabama Shakes Boys & Girls [debut]

Bauhaus "4AD" (1983) (ep)

4AD, ep (compilation)
release date: Oct. 1, 1983
format: vinyl (BAD 312) / digital
[album rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: Bauhaus
label: 4AD Records - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1: "Dark Entries" - 2. "Terror Couple Kill Colonel" - 3. "Telegram Sam" - - B) 1. "Terror Couple Kill Colonel (version)" - 2. "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" - 3. "Crowds"

An ep compilation released after Bauhaus split in mid-1983, and an album that I always fancied a little bit more than most of their releases. Actually, the tracks are very different but I think, they all show the energy in the dark gothic rock, which sometimes tend to be sinister and 'emo'-like, but this is held up on pure energy. It also contains two fine cover-versions: The glam rock tribute "Telegram Sam" (written by Marc Bolan), and a fabulous live version of "Rosegarden Funeral of Sores" (written by John Cale). Also, the end-track "Crowds" is a fine slowcore-like track filled with beautiful desperation.
The cover art photo "Masks" by the French photographer Emmanuel Sougez dated 1930s has always fascinated me. It has a wonderful disturbing feel - like masks still containing some emotions from the person(s) who wore them.

New Order "Thieves Like Us" (1984) (single)

Thieves Like Us, 12'' single
release date: Mar. 1984
format: vinyl (FAC 103)
[single rate: 4 / 5] [3,78]
producer: New Order
label: Factory / Rough Trade - nationality: England, UK

Tracklist: A) 1. "Thieves Like Us" (4 / 5) - - B) 1. "Lonesome Tonight" (Instr.) (3,5 / 5)

Single release by New Order as FAC 103 on Factory Records. A fine single, which is included on the Power, Corruption & Lies Collector's Edition album from 2008.

Kliché "Okay Okay Boys" (1982)

Okay Okay Boys
release date: Oct. 1982
format: vinyl (MdLP 6090) / cd
[album rate: 4 / 5] [4,08]
producer: Kliché, Poul Bruun, Hilly Michaels
label: Medley Records - nationality: Denmark

Tracklist: 1. "Bag de røde bjerge" - 2. "Pil på himlen" - 3. "Patrulje" - 4. "Bravo Charlie" - 5. "Oppenheimers formiddag" - 6. "Okay Okay Boys" - 7. "Brændende kakler" - 8. "Mama mama" (aka: 'Mamma Mamma') - 9. "IKB" (aka: 'International klein blue') - 10. "Ansigt til ansigt"

2nd and final studio album by Kliché. After the strong debut album, keyboardist Jens "Valo" Danielsen left the band and was substituted by Steffen Brandt of TV-2 for a short period of time before Nils Torp replaced Brandt. Later Love Shop guitarist Hilmer Hassig also feature on this album and he adds his signature guitar sound to most tracks, although he was never a full-time member. The style is very different from the debut and it's striking how much they evolved over a short period of time. At the time of its release I was somewhat disappointed about it. It was too much art pop and synthpop for my liking, and I had just really hoped for another energetic outburst, but they were over with that, and had moved on. It didn't take me long to appreciate the new sound and today, I find this another great Danish album of the 1980s, and I guess my rating has gone from 2,5 (then) to the 4 stars I feel it rightfully deserves. The considerable change of style also reflects how they evolved. When they began playing concerts, they played punk rock with a twist of new wave and art pop, and in a span of only a few years, they were in another position, which may explain why they felt inclined to split up a project constantly in extreme progress.
After this - their only second album - the band toured with its new material featuring Hilmer Hassig, and then they went on a hiatus to realise other musical projects. Lars Hug initiated an interesting solo career (and later became Lars H.U.G.), he worked on and released his solo debut album City Slang (1984), while the remaining three band members, Johannes "Voss" Møller, Jens "Valo" Danielsen, and Anders "Brill" Gilberg, went into the studio and as Voss Torp Brill the trio released the album ++Dobbelt plus (1984). Hug toured in late '84 with his solo album, and then the quartet rejoined as Kliché. The band composed several new songs to be included on a third album but it was never realised 'cause in '85, Lars Hug publicly announced that Kliché had disbanded. Some of the compositions for the band's third album actually ended up on Lars Hug's second solo album, Kysser himlen farvel (1987). Johnny Voss and Nils Torp worked together and released Den store lysfest (1987) as Voss / Torp, and from 1992, Nils Torp formed the lasting duo Souvenirs with his wife Sofie Bonde, and Hilmer Hassig continued his musical career in the band Naive for a short period before finally eventually forming the band Love Shop together with Jens Unmack.