I thought about titling this post "I'm Not Dead, Part 2" because again, it's been a while since I posted and again, I blame it on being extremely busy.
Until I have time to rip and write about more stuff more extensively, I thought I'd post some very rare video clips from bands I have written about here. Oh, the things you can find on YouTube.
Click on the links to check out what I have previously written about these bands.
Blue Peter - Video Verite (live 1981) - A really energetic live performance of one of my favorite tracks from this Canadian power pop/new wave act!
Karen Lawrence & the Pinz - Girl's Night Out (1981) - I heard there was a promo video made for this album, but never really thought it would surface. Well, here it is. Karen Lawrence (who now does bluesier stuff) in all her throaty, untamed new wave glory.
JoBoxers - Is This Really the First Time (1985) - This band is best known for the bouncy semi-hit Just Got Lucky, but in my opinion, this tune is just as good (and just as bouncy). It was culled from their second and final album Skin and Bone, which I still haven't been able to confirm was actually released.
The Reels - Prefab Hearts (1980) - This video by Aussie new wavers the Reels is just a tad bit scary (in a harmless 1980 sort of way), but the song is truly one of my all time favorite forgotten pop songs. Just try to get it out of your head. I dare you.
The Crocodiles - Tears (1980) - Before New Zealand's Jenny Morris went on to a successful solo career in her native land, she had this local hit with The Crocodiles. A very catchy, well-sung pop tune.
Pearl Harbour (live with the Clash) - Fujiyama Mama (1982) - The larger than life Pearl Harbour appears on stage with the Clash to sing this track, a Wanda Jackson rockabilly cover off her debut solo LP, Don't Follow Me, I'm Lost Too. At the time she was romantically linked with Paul Simonon. Fun stuff.
Friday, July 11, 2008
Video Rarities
Saturday, March 8, 2008
THE REELS - Self-Titled Debut
The Reels were yet another great band that came out of Australia in the late 70s. This one I got wind of on Overhere's blog. After reading a few of the entries and sampling a few of the tunes on that site I just had to track down some Reels on vinyl. I started with their debut LP from 1979.
The band specialized in quirky new wave that changed shape quite a bit throughout its existence. The first album is mostly energetic and bouncy, and much of the material is marked by ska and reggae touches. The singles, Love Will Find a Way and Prefab Hearts, for example, are upbeat and catchy ska pop. They are pure fun and arguably the best tracks on the record. Album closer Livalafaway is another peppy, irresistible ska number. Plastic Pop and Baby's in the Know are just as energetic, but more straight-up new wave, while the off-kilter reggae of Spot the Ridge is another highlight. Lead vocalist Dave Mason is versatile and convincing, delivering each song with gusto.
After their debut, The Reels went on to release a few more albums and EPs. The haunting title track from sophomore album Quasimodo's Dream is perhaps the most remembered Reels track. In 1982 the band released Beautiful, an unexpected but great covers collection of easy listening standards. The album included another hit in a version of the Burt Bacharach classic, This Guy's in Love With You. The Reels gained further attention in 1986 with an unlikely, synth-heavy cover of CCR's Bad Moon Rising, and continued until coming to an official end in 1995.
Upon breakup, the band released a now out of print best of collection called Requiem, but the individual LPs have not been reissued on CD. Here is my vinyl rip of the debut:
The Reels - Self-Titled Debut (1979)
Track listing:
1 - Plastic Pop
2 - Baby's in the Know
3 - Love Will Find a Way
4 - Don't Get Me Wrong
5 - Wonder Why
6 - Misused, Abused
7 - Prefab Hearts
8 - Spot the Ridge
9 - Apathy
10 - Go Away
11 - The Meeting
12 - Livalafaway
FOR FANS OF:
XTC, Squeeze, The Dugites, The Specials, Split Enz, Madness
WEB LINKS:
- The Reels on Wikipedia
- Love Will Find a Way video on YouTube
- Prefab Heart video on YouTube
- Quasimodo's Dream video on YouTube
- This Guy's in Love With You video on YouTube
