UK psychedelia from 1968, their self-titled LP. Where the rest of the album has a more predictable, albeit good, late 60's psych-pop sound, "The Way" sounds like a funky dub remix of a 60's song that could have been recorded yesterday, except that it is a 60's song, and it's actually not dubbed. "The Way":
if the 1980's had just one douche bag to call it's own, it would be Billy Idol. here he is showing his less "hard" side with two of his most popular ballads. "Eyes Without A Face" from Rebel Yell (1983):
Martin Newell was a strong force for the DIY camp during the new wave days. He produced, recorded, and played (nearly) all of the instrumentation for his solo recordings. He also wrote and played under the name Cleaners from Venus with Lol Elliot in the early 80's, releasing most of their work together from home on cassette. The following are from his first cassette as Martin Newell, Songs for a Fallow Land (1985). "Julie Profumo":
the Associates, led by Billy Mackenzie, were one of the more successful new wave groups of their day; after touring with the Cure in 1980, John Murphy and Mike Dempsey (previously of the Cure) joined the group, and they landed album of the year in 1982 for their third album, Sulk. the following are sessions recorded for John Peel's radio show in April of 1981. "It's Better This Way":
Yes released the album Tormato in 1978, right after the success of Going for the One (1977), which saw the return of Rick Wakeman on the keyboards. This would be the final album with Anderson, Howe, Squire, and Wakeman playing together. The album suffered a bit from the musical climate of the day as punk music began to congeal in Britain. Progressive rock was becoming an old horse; people were tiring of endless, lofty instrumentation and over-your-head lyricism, both classic trademarks of Yes's early days, and prog rock in general. The songs on Tormato are much shorter and radio friendly, and despite landing on the top 10, the album was reviled amongst the formerly dedicated Yes audience and hardcore prog fans alike. With the less-than-stellar public reception, Jon Anderson (lead singer, lyricist, and composer) took the opportunity to bow out, with Wakeman quickly following suit. Still, the album does have plenty of classic Yes moments, namely the closing track (posted earlier) "On the Silent Wings of Freedom," which could stand right alongside the most raucous and inspired moments of Fragile (1971). "Madrigal":
Thomas Leer's early work masterfully blended blithe pop instrumentation with self-built synthesizers and experimental tape effects. B-side on the Private Plane/International (1978) single, "International":
as shoegaze and dreampop were just beginning to bubble up in the UK in the late 80's, Lush signed with 4AD and began a slow rise through the underground circuit, garnering plenty of credentials along the way. fans praise Lush for their consistency through the years. here's a glorious VHS video of the 1991 single De-Luxe from early in their career:
hailing from late 70's scotland comes the Falling and Laughing EP, released feb. 1980, recorded in late '79 by the up-and-coming band Orange Juice. a lighter, more innocent vision of post-punk, more poppy and bubblier in tone. Side A - "Falling and Laughing"
In 1968, David Vorhaus formed White Noise with Delia Derbyshire and Brian Hodgson. The three were pioneers in early British electronic pop/psychedelic music, and produced their legendary album An Electric Storm later that year. After the record, Derbyshire and Hodgson went on to successful careers in composing and producing electronic music, and Doavid Vorhaus has continued on under the White Noise pseudonym, releasing 4 more albums into the 21st century. "Firebird":
The Shadows were a British instrumental band, originally playing back-up for singer Cliff Richard. The band became primarily known for lead guitarist Hank Marvin (that's him in the glasses), a master of old-school dreamy reverb. "Wonderful Land" from The Wonderful Land of the Shadows EP (1962):
British synthpop duo best known for their hit single, "Tainted Love," Soft Cell with "Sex Dwarf"from Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret (1981). The song also had a banned video in the UK.
A Joe Meek (that's him on the far left) production, the Tornados with their 1962 uber-hit (it was the first British single to hit #1 on the US Hot 100), "Telstar":
Thomas Leer is an experimental composer, musician, recording artist, and producer. His work covers a multiple of genres and mediums from electronic and punk to jazz and classical. Private Plane (1978) was his first self-released single:
"Letter From America" from the 4 Movements EP (1981):
"Hear What I Say" from the Contradictions EP (1982):
