NEW MUSIC EAR : Album Reviews

"DURAN DURAN" 1981 GIRLS ON FILM - This debut album by the band opens with this brilliant New Wave track.  Their breakthrough single in the UK chart reaching number 5.  Its cheeky and somewhat sarcastic lyrics about the glamour and glitz of the modelling industry are backed by an irresistible pumping rhythm and keyboard and guitar accompanient.  Its just a classic Duran Duran song and a classic 80s song as well.  Top opener.   PLANET EARTH - The debut single only reached number 12 in the UK chart.  This is more Synth Pop Disco than the previous track.  Again with the pumping rhythm but more experimental than "Girls On Film" and the chorus is not as catchy but still engaging to be a great song.   ANYONE OUT THERE - This is one of my favourite Duran Duran tracks, it has a more rockier guitar backing.  Also a funky bass appears with echoed vocals in one segment.  This is more Pop Rock and as the band proved with their album tracks in the future, this was more than ju

"HUMAN RACING" 1984 DANCING GIRLS - The debut album by incredibly talented singer-songwriter Nik Kershaw opens with this fast paced Synth Pop track.  The clever orchestrated synths and whirrs over the chorus fill the sound out.  Nik was always inventive and that what set him apart from other Electronic acts of the 80s.  This single reached number 13 in the chart.  Its catchy Pop at its best. WOULDN'T IT BE GOOD - The memorable opening guitar riff kicks off this classic 80s song and when the melody hits in, its just perfect.  Add a catchy chorus and stunning video and this made Nik a star.  Reaching number 4 in the UK chart it paved the way for continued success throughout the mid 80s.  Brilliant song.   DRUM TALK - A really unusual track, based solely on synthesised drums and special effect but its infectious tempo keeps it engaging.  The lyrics are very simple but the overdubbed chanted and effects laden vocals make it a very clever song and I loved singing along to t

"JOURNEYS TO GLORY" 1981 TO CUT A LONG STORY SHORT - The opening track and debut single was the epitomy of the New Romantic Pop phenomenon that took over the first couple of years in the 80s.  The Synth New Wave sound, medieval like percussion and Tony Hadley's big booming vocal are just fantastic. REFORMATION - An almost repetitive, rhyming lyric over a typically 80s Electronic Synth Pop backing.  Again there is a dark, almost eerie medieval sound running through the track.  Catchy in a strange way, but great track. MANDOLIN - A little more anthemic and bigger sound to the previous tracks and with a funky bassline that hits the mark.  A mix of Ultravox pomp and Soft Cell vocals.  Not a single but I love this track. MUSCLEBOUND - A New Wave track, a slow tempo backing track with Tony giving it his all to lifet it to new heights, then the annoyingly catchy chanted chorus kicks in and you can't help but sing along. AGE OF BLOWS - The equivale