#boygeorge

If you’re checkin’ out my profile I just made it today so hello! I am 25, non binary and love everything vintage/retro particularly music. LOVE modern music too. Looking to make lgbtq+ friends so please follow me I will follow back!

Crate Digger’s Corner…by DJ Musically Rich

(If you’d like to listen to a track from the album as you read, go to the end of the post to start the song)

This week in Crate Digger’s Corner I’m listening to the 2nd album from the British New Wave/Pop band, Culture Club, led by Boy George. At the time known for their overall look, what was often overlooked was the quality of composition they were releasing. This was certainly one of the albums that showed what the peak Top 40 albums were sounding like during this period (four of the songs landed in the Billboard Top 15). It contained upbeat, bouncy music with really catchy lyrics. They also usually contained a couple ballads mixed in as well. This album covers all that territory well, and the biggest disappointment to me is that they don’t list who plays harmonica on the album (because it is played quite well).

The album opens with the only #1 hit this band had, ‘Karma Chameleon’. Opening with an upbeat rhythm and harmonica statement, this is a song that the chorus will stick with you long after you’ve finished the album. That is followed by another of their hits, ‘It’s A Miracle’ (#13). Syncopated grooves take this song through to an interesting bridge that starts as if the singer is losing his senses. Then there is a short sax solo which leads back to the chorus which gets highlighted by some punchy horns. ‘Black Money’ is a ballad led by a mildly funky bass line and comping keys and guitar. A perfectly placed, cheesy sax solo leads the song into the bridge. ‘Changing Everyday’ is a pulsating tune led by acoustic piano. ‘Changing Everyday’ along with ‘That’s The Way (I’m Only Trying To Help You)’ are highlighted by the backing vocals of Helen Terry.

Side 2 opens with two more hits ‘Church Of The Poison Mind’ (#10) and ‘Miss Me Blind’ (#5). The former being one of the more enduring songs from this album and the latter having wonderfully inventive backing vocals. ‘Mister Man’ has a light reggae beat with bright, bouncy horns. ‘Stormkeeper’, besides for having a pretty nice melody, is just not quite as catchy as it seems it should be. ‘Victims’ closes the album starting as a vocal/piano duet that then builds to a climax by adding in the full backing band, backing vocals and strings. A nice ending to a great album!

It's a great slice of New Wave that falls on the pop side of that spectrum. An upbeat album that has tight songs and is set for a great time!

Stars: 4/5

Available on: LP/CD/Cass/8-Trk

RIYL: Nena- 99 Luftballons/ Roxette- The Look/ The Cardigans- First Band On The Moon/ Hall & Oates- Private Eyes

To see photos of other albums in my collection follow my IG: djmusicallyrich

To listen to a track from the album…