Battle #21

Arcadia: So Red The Rose ( Side One )

Vs.

Roxy Epoxy and The Rebound: Band-Aids On Bulletholes ( Side Two )

Arcadia: So Red The Rose ( Side One )

Arcadia were a new wave British group formed in 1985 by Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and Roger Taylor of Duran Duran as a side project during a break in that band's schedule. The project was only active during 1985 and 1986 for just one album, So Red the Rose, which was certified Platinum in the United States and included a number of charting singles. Arcadia is not the only Duran squared spin-off. The Power Station also falls into that category and also had hits. So any doubt of Duran Duran’s hit making ability (not that there should be any) can suck a D...uran. Simon Le Bon himself described So Red the Rose as "the most pretentious album ever made," while AllMusic called it "the best album Duran Duran never made". I must say that I have to agree wholeheartedly with the latter. To say that this album in ANY WAY sounds different than Duran Duran would just be lying to yourself. I mean, they didn’t even try to be different. It did have some big scoring hits though, such as the lead off batter “Election Day”. I am sure you would recognize it dips you heard it, and it is an election year so...maybe it’ll make a comeback. All the candidates are like this song, right? ‘85? (#seewhatididthere). The 80s rock continues with “Keep me in the Dark” which was another charting single although not quite as high. With “Goodbye is Forever” it is especially hard to escape the Duran comparison. Le Bon’s voice is just so recognizable and present. Honestly the comparison is NOT a slam in any way. It’s maybe the highest compliment actually. Mid tempo rocker and these tunes are all good.

“The Flame”is essentially as the Duranx2 song “View to a Kill” from the bond movie went rogue and formed its own band. Their SONGS are doing spin off bands!!?!?! I keep waiting for them to announce at the end of the song that they actually are D-squared and this has all been a joke. “Missing” is the final track and contains the quiet solitude and meditation moments of zen. A good slow down, but still true to the du-roots du-roots and it’s aaaaaa looooooooooonnnnnngggg ssssoooonnnnnnnggggg. Actually this is the most diverse they have been from the former. As in straight up rock band and less new wave. The guest stars on this album is pretty phenomenal too. It reads like a who’s who of 1985. Herbie Hancock, David Gilmore (Pink Floyd), Sting... but yeah this is the lost Duran Duran album for sure. It’s actually the very reason I own it.

Roxy Epoxy and The Rebound: Band-Aids On Bulletholes ( Side Two )

Roxy Epoxy, the soul and front woman of this band is often associated with such fierce and striking artists as Karen O, Siouxsie Sioux, and Chrissie Hynde. Roxy Epoxy made a lasting impact on the punk and indie community in her former band, The Epoxies. At the end of 2007, the Epoxies decided to call it quits, but Roxy wasn’t finished yet. She decided to pull her own songs out of hiding and start fresh. She began writing new songs and found some talented musicians to follow her into the studio. The result was Roxy Epoxy and The Rebound. Now, freshly rejuvenated and ready to tackle the music industry with both fists and a great set of pipes, Roxy embarked on the next chapter of her musical career with her newly-minted band. Whereas The Epoxies focus was often on androids and science fiction themes, this new band was really just an extension in sound and style, but lyrically more challenging and based in traditional themes. Don’t mistake that as bad. They are just more cohesive songs that speak of dark subjects and more mature things. It’s basically a new wave power pop rock band and they are amazing! Unfortunately this and a solo EP by Roxy are really all that exist. This band is now considered defunct as well. But what an amazing output for the one album!! “Svengali” starts it. It’s a reference to the fictional character who tricks and exploits a young girl. The word "svengali" has come to refer to a person who, with evil intent, dominates, manipulates and controls another. Not sure if there are implications outside of the song, but it’s a rocker! New wavier than a lays potato chip and just as delicious!! And this rocker is on Side two! “Fun” has those punky new wave keys please! Roxy has a voxy range that’s nearly unbeatable! “Lola’s Vision” sides more on the indie rock status symbol and has the tick tick of a clock, slower in stature but subtle in subject. “The Spider and the Leach” May well be the most memorable song, if only for the story it tells. Has that wonderful eerie sound and really helps define the difference between the former Epoxies and the current events. Metropolis anyone? Intricate keys and melodies, all over monotone vocals that are perfectly suited to the task. It’s a great juxtaposition on the story time vivid lyrics happening. “Unnamed” is a straight up punkity punk punk rocket. Discordant and dangerous. Lastly, “Watch Me” has those meaty beats to crush your skull and is anti-authoritarian. Overall this record is equally dystopian and Bauhaus as it is poppy and Flock of Seagulls. Again, the key difference is the depth and song-smithing. If Missing Persons were just a straight up punk band...or the movie Blade Runner decided to write music.

Sidebar: I know the title of this whole thing I do is RANDOM record workout, but sometimes there exists some similarities and cohesion in the matchups. For example, possibly the band’s share a member or something as simple as each band plays “7 songs” or whatever. It could be related artwork or any number of things, but there becomes this weird theme developed. Today, the theme was side projects in a sense. I just find it amusing. That is all.

So today it was Arcadia with their roses so red who tried to out Duran themselves. They burned 147 calories over 22 minutes and 5 songs. They averaged 29.40 calories burned per song and 6.68 calories burned per minute. They earned 11 out of 15 possible stars. Roxy Epoxy was on the rebound and put band-aids on her bullet holes. They played for 18 minutes and managed to burn 122 calories over 6 songs. That is an average of 20.33 calories burned per song and 6.78 calories burned per minute. They earned 15 out of 18 possible stars. They may be on the rebound but Roxy Epoxy and Company take the crown today!

Roxy Epoxy and the Rebound : “Unnamed”

https://youtu.be/UgZBH1Ub0OA

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Battle #8

Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army : Replicas ( Side Two)

Vs.

Mötley Crüe : Shout At The Devil ( Side One )

Gary Numan and the Tubeway Army : Replicas ( Side Two)

Tubeway Army were a London-based new wave and electronic band led by lead singer Gary Numan. They were the first band of the electronic era to have a synthesiser-based number-one hit, with their single "Are 'Friends' Electric?" and its parent album Replicas both topping the UK charts in mid-1979. After its release, Numan (real name Gary Webb) opted to drop the Tubeway Army name and release music under his own name as he was the sole songwriter, producer and public face of the band, but he retained the musicians from Tubeway Army as his backing band. Numan is considered a pioneer of electronic music, with his signature sound consisting of heavy synthesiser hooks fed through guitar effects pedals. He is also known for his distinctive voice and androgynous "android" persona. He practically invented the genre. Tubeway Army was relatively short lived, only putting out 2 albums, this being the second. But an important one as it helped shape and define the sound Gary Numan would develop the rest of his career around. To say he is an innovator is an understatement...oh and he’s also a pilot. For real! This album cannot be undersold for its amazing influence on a plethora of artists such as Nine Inch Nails, Marilyn Manson and Basement Jaxx. A game changer for sure. The flip side begins with a real influential tune called “You Are In My Vision”. It’s mega catchy as only an album using NO guitars could be. And it should be applauded at how unconventional that move was at the height of the “big rock” era. I firmly believe that the most innovative time for music history was in the mid 70s to early 80s. You had rock, punk, new wave, power pop, avant-garde movements and even disco (as much as I hate it). Music was SO CREATIVE and Numan pioneered the synthesizer movement by really spotlighting it on this album. And he discovered the dang thing in the studio toying around!! You can totally get the robotic vibe Numan was trying to convey. One Mono TONE (#seewhatididthere) the whole time. I love it! The title track “Replicas” follows and is slow and syndicated and syncopated. Triumphant riffage and with no guitars that’s saying something! I do think that a lot of these tunes were probably originally written on a guitar and then translated to keys. A great example of this is the next track, “It Must Have Been Years”. Those are some seriously ballsy hard rockin’ metal riffs if I’ve ever heard them. “When The Machines Rock” is just instrumental bliss/madness. You get the sense of a precursor to his later smash hit, “Cars” and you can practically see the progression. Now, here’s ANOTHER Numan innovation; two back to back instrumentals!! “I Nearly Married A Human” has, not only an awesome sounding title, but some dreamlike structures and meandering, winding keyboards. The only drawback is that, either by design, by limitations of the Day or unfamiliarity (possibly all of the above), the recording production values were not up to task with his vision. The keys peaked several times and it detracts from some of the awesomeness. Like new wave (and goth) or not, Gary Numan really deserves every last bit of the cult following he has earned.

Mötley Crüe : Shout At The Devil ( Side One )

Well, well, well! What an epic battle this is turning out to be! A legendary glam/metal band meets a legendary new wave band, both from the 80s and both still very relevant to this day. This is their second album and the one they toured in support of with Ozzy Osbourne in 1983. I think it should be fairly obvious that this band was on the fast track to success. Let’s back up a bit though...Mötley Crüe is an American heavy metal band formed in Los Angeles, California, in 1981. The group was founded by bassist Nikki Sixx, drummer Tommy Lee, lead guitarist Mick Mars and lead singer Vince Neil. Collectively, Mötley Crüe has sold over 100 million albums worldwide. And perhaps more impressively, other than the periods of February 1992 to September 1996 and of March 1999 to September 2004, the lineup of Neil, Sixx, Lee, and Mars remained the same. Recently reformed in 2018, they still tour today. So this, their second album, Shout at the Devil, was released in September 1983. The album represented the band's mainstream breakthrough and would eventually be certified 4x platinum. The album generated controversy for its title track and album imagery, both of which invoked Satanism. They then gained the attention of heavy metal legend Ozzy Osbourne and found themselves as the opening act for Osbourne on his Bark at the Moon Tour. The band members were well known for their backstage antics, outrageous clothing, extreme high-heeled boots, heavily applied make-up, and seemingly endless abuse of alcohol and drugs as well. In short, a PR nightmare (which, don’t fool yourself, was 100% planned and used in the labels favor). So what about that aforementioned first track? “In The Beginning/Shout At The Devil” really just an intro that leads into the title track. It’s so cheesy I don’t know how anyone could think this was a serious nod to satanism, but hey...it was the 80s. Those high-hats over that iconic riff though, you KNOW something good is coming. Such a solid nugget of gold for beginners! Maybe they were in a league with Satan after all...? Either way, a classic metal song for the ages! “Looks That Kill” is another hit off the album with a hilarious video. I’m talking ninja cosplay (seriously look it up you tubers). Staccato guitar Romantics and heroic radio friendly riffs. Aces, baby. “Bastard” is a faster Tommy Lee driven tune and with the obvious chip on the shoulder to get the PMRC’s goat (for devilish sacrifice of course...#seewhatididthere). “God Bless The Children of the Beast” is almost...how do I say this...Eagles - like (??!?). Very haunting but still metal all the same. Harmonics and one of the reason they were so set apart from their L.A. glam brethren. Longevity and loyalty to the music. Also this jam is more of an intro to “Helter Skelter” with it’s brick heavy riffage and classic metal architecture. Technically it’s not their debut, but it really was to most of the record buying public, and let me tell you, it’s held up to the test of time. A classic for sure. I forgive them trying to push the envelope of controversy, because that was the label and the industry at that time, but it’s certainly carved them out a niche they have been able to capitalize on. You don’t have to conVINCE Neil (#seewhatididthere) they had a hit!! There is a reason you know these names some nearly 40 years later. Umlaut-core baby! Also, if you haven’t seen it yet, check out the semi- documentary “Dirt” on Netflix. Great stuff.

Well, it looks like Gary and his Tubeway Army replicated their formula for awesome new wave genius. They burned 147 calories over 22 minutes and 5 songs. That is an average of 29.40 calories burned per song and 6.68 calories burned per minute. The Numan crew earned 12 out of 15 possible stars. The Mötley-est of Crüe not only shouted at the Devil, but also blazed through 5 songs in 16 minutes and burned 108 calories in the process. Their Hell-acious (#seewhatididthere) actions burned 21.60 calories per song and resulted in 6.75 calories burned per minute. The boys earned 11 out of 15 possible stars. Mötley or notley, this Crüe is here to stay and live to fight on!

Mötley Crüe : “Shout At The Devil”

(Includes the proper lead in) https://youtu.be/jC0kHsTtzCA

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Battle #28

In 3-D: No Glasses Needed ( Side Two )

Vs.

Our Daughter’s Wedding : Moving Windows ( Side 1 )

In 3-D: No Glasses Needed ( Side Two )

I literally could find no information on this band. So either they don’t exist, or I can use this opportunity to make up an insane backstory and no one can dispute me or fact check. As best I can tell from album information it’s from right smack dab in the middle of the 80s. 1985 to be precise and I don’t know why but the vibe I initially got when I saw it was that of Christian rock. I can’t say specifically what led to that feeling but I took the gamble (it was 50 cents, so...humorous if nothing else). Lyrically I can find nothing that suggests it to be of any religious undertones, and it seems absent of thanking any God, so I guess we are in the clear there. A quick pan of the text reveals that there IS a guy that goes by the name of “nail” in the band. No other name given, just “nail”. Hmmm...that’s probably why I decided to drop the two quarters and go for it. Other than that, no discernible hints as to what they might otherwise be about, audio or lifestyle-wise. One thing is for certain, upon hearing the first notes ring out, they paid up on the studio time. “Under My Umbrella” is first and is clearly the inspiration for Rihanna’s song of the same name. Kidding of course. My initial thoughts go to The Police. Poppy but light and intricate beats. It starts out with the old children’s traditional tune “it’s raining/it’s pouring / the old man is snoring “. You know the one. Then the band switches it up to a punkier and more metallic sounding song with “It’s Up To You”. The tempo is through the roof and the echo effect on the vocals is a little distracting but there is a cool “tape breaking” sound effect on beat. It serves to change up the tempo and fade out. It’s different and thinking outside the box. I like it. “Memories of a Man (Playin’ the Game)” is next. More straightforward rock on this one. Proving that they are not your average players. I guess this is where the Nashville comes in. (The label that put it out is in Nashville). Some insightful lyrics of inner turmoil done as only 80s hard rock can do. “Never Again” finds us discovering Journey meeting Cinderella complete with some thick ass keys. Tight Tom fills too. This is DEFINITELY the guitarist “show-off” song. “Going on (Separate Planes)” is another rocker that’s not quite Van Halen but hovers right around Quiet Riot. UFO...and not just in subject matter of the tune. The final *song* is called “Exit 47” but it’s really just an outtro. Man that Police stuff was sure a misleading first impression. I must admit, these guys truly seemed to be talented musicians and gave it their all. I am a bit surprised. I was expecting Simple Minds, but got so much more. It’s an 80s rock parade record. I’ve definitely heard worse than this...

Our Daughter’s Wedding : Moving Windows ( Side 1 )

Our Daughter's Wedding was an American synthpop trio from New York, consisting of Layne Rico on Synare synthesizer, Keith Silva on vocals and keyboards, and Scott Simon on bass-synth and saxophone. The group took their name from a section in a greeting card display. Although their time was brief, it sounds productive although stressful and chaotic. I’ll elaborate. In 1981, they released the internationally successful "Lawnchairs". It did well in the UK. They toured with other bands of the day including U2, Duran Duran, Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark, Iggy Pop, The Psychedelic Furs and frequently appeared on MTV as guest hosts. Fast forward a little and after releasing another EP called "Digital Cowboy", the band released an album in 1982 - Moving Windows. The record had a prescient hip hop sound. But the band found themselves locked in a recording contract and with no record or tour support, the band remained on the road for one year touring the country with The Psychedelic Furs. In 1984, after that tour, the band dissolved. So they did a lot in their short time, but became victims of the industry machine. The band has a pretty unique and distinctive sound for 80s new wave. More club style and akin to OMD and Kraftwerk or Depeche Mode. It’s definitely synth pop though. VERY different from Rush’s moving pictures album. I am almost certain the cover art would have caused some controversy but I couldn’t find anything about it. I d know it was recently reissued by the Futurismo record label in the UK which has done some outstanding work with seminary new wave punk mutant gods, DEVO. One thing is certain. Keyboards rule here and it’s an excellent example of what new wave really is. “Auto Music” begins with lots of 80s noise. Greg Hawkes of The Cars would be proud or possibly jealous. It never lets up from there. Full steam ahead. “She Was Someone” has programmed computer rhythms with hints of Men Without Hats. Those backing harmonies are nice too. “Elevate Her” is a thicker cut of meat. BASSically this one has funky beats and robo-tronic symphonics. Love the double meaning of elevate her and elevator. “Track Me Down” is another rocker that seems like it could be a B Side. “Daddy’s Slave” slows the pace with hints of Talking Heads. It’s almost as if Rick James took over vocal duties for a song? “Longitude 60 degrees” is the final and probably one of my favorite tracks. It mixes styles with Blondie and Wall of Voodoo with even a little Bowie. Math beats make the Devo development decidedly decent. A band that had some real potential for airwave asphyxiation. Some dark elements but mostly succinct and respectfully robotic.

Today we witnessed a battle in 3-D, but no glasses were needed. They burned 127 calories over 20 minutes and 5 songs. That’s an average of 25.40 calories burned per song and 6.35 calories burned per minute. 11 out of 15 possible stars were earned. Our Daughter’s Wedding decided that moving windows would be advantageous. They managed to burn 137 calories over 21 minutes and 6 songs. ODW burned 22.83 calories per song and 6.52 calories per minute. They earned 14 out of 18 possible stars. Our Daughter’s Wedding moved something else too...a trophy to their mantle! ODW wins!

Our Daughter’s Wedding: “Longitude 60”

https://youtu.be/-Dk298DmphQ

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Battle #26

The Vindictives: The Many Moods of... ( Side D )

Vs.

The Mary Jane Girls: Only Four You ( Side 1 )

The Vindictives: The Many Moods of... ( Side D )

The Vindictives are probably one of the best and most underrated of the 90s pop punk bands to call Chicago home. They began in 1990, after Joey’s first band, Vicktimz of Society called it quits. Their original lineup included Joey Vindictive (vocals), Johnny Personality (bass), Ben Weasel (of Screeching Weasel fame on guitar), Dr. Bob (guitar), and Erik Elsewhere (drums). The band would quickly experience lineup changes and evolve in complexity as well. The band would end up releasing 12 EPs and albums until July 1996, when Joey Vindictive revealed that his health issues would prevent the band from going on. The band DID continue past that but never at the capacity and intensity it had been previously. The distinction between The Vindictives and other pop punk bands of the same cloth is all in the lyrics. Often sexual or paranoia themes (sometimes both!) took center stage. And those amazing and layered harmonies!! No one did it better than The Vindictives. You got a real sense of the frantic-ness though in the music and the production was outstanding. Every song is catchy and holds your attention, making each song just a little different. Something pop punk is not often known for often, embracing the repetitiveness. So this “album” is really one of their only proper ones but it’s more or less a collection of all the aforementioned EPs. “Future Homemakers of America” Starts the party off right. Meaty and punchy with those dripping snotty vocals. Not perfect and that’s OK. It’s part of the energy, and a real slap across the face of suburbia stay at home housewives everywhere. “Spring Valley Shopping Mall” Tell the tale of what sounds like a really bad date. Literally a story in the form of a song. “1 (900) ILU-VYOU” is a dominatrix tune that features those amazing backing vocal harmonies. You could say they DOMINATE (#seewhatididthere) at it. Next up is “Basketcase”-a quickie punker rocket with driving and screaming leads. It’s better than Green Day’s version. Just kidding, totally different songs, but Green Day does serve as a good comparison for production value and tight melodies. Speaking of tight,

“You Know Who You Are” follows suit and punches you in the face. All while bitting and clawing your eyes out. Wound up like a spring and ready to pounce. As if it couldn’t get any faster, “Impatient” flies at you at breakneck speeds. Vindictives are not usually Minor Threat level fast, but skatepunks be damned, these guys mean business! Thrashing lashes to make you gnash your teeth. Probably one of the best songs on this side, and best examples of how the Vindictives stand out is found in “...And The World Isn’t Flat Anymore”. It’s very catchy and sing along style, but still manages to employ one the band’s favorite tricks, vocals in the round. Joey understands how to make one set bleed into the other and it sounds so amazing. More vocal layers than a 7 layer burrito! His raw and unabashed outlook give that darker edge the band uses to their advantage. Ironically these are probably some of the weaker tunes in their arsenal, so just imagine how awesome Sides A-C are! Brilliant!

The Mary Jane Girls: Only Four You ( Side 1 )

The Mary Jane Girls are an American R&B, soul and funk group that gained popularity in the 1980s. They were protégées of singer Rick James. Much like Prince had Shiela E and others, Rick James has his girls too. They are known for their hit songs "In My House", "All Night Long", "Candy Man", and their cover version of "Walk Like a Man". Joanne "Jojo" McDuffie was the lead singer, the others filling out the group's style and appearance. According to the wiki, on the studio recordings, McDuffie was backed by session vocalists rather than the other Mary Jane Girls. The album credits the other members as each singing at least one song though. The Mary Jane Girls released two albums in the 1980s and recorded a third which was shelved for decades but finally released in 2014. They were inducted into the Rhythm & Blues Music Hall of Fame in 2019. You can practically see the marketing plan-o-gram throughout, but you know what? The songs are fairly catchy. I like the 80s and even though it has distinct Motown and funk influence, there is a decent representation of new wave too. Rock actually wrote and produced all the songs too, so he had his hands all over it. Of course we should address the obvious. The name of the group referenced mary jane, slang for marijuana; a favored recreational drug of James. (James wrote a hit song titled "Mary Jane".) The group's image was styled as containing a street-wise girl (McDuffie), a supermodel (Ghant), a cheerleader/valley girl (Wells, then Marine), and a dominatrix (Wuletich). This is their second album and has the biggest hit, which starts off the whole thing. “In My House” has a VERY Rick James start with that keyboard intro, then drop the funky bass. These are 4 ladies that know the 80s. If disco were just watered down new wave, ala Lipps Inc., then I’d be ok with it. That’s pretty much what we have here. “Break it Up” is another funky dance club hit parade. Revolving Supremes-like vocals that keep your interest. The next 30 seconds are an interlude to the song “Shadow Lover” but they bothered to list it as a separate track, so...? It’s a saxophone meets piano warm up really, into the actual action. A slow bedroom jam that might make Luther Vandross jealous. The last track (only 4 you I guess #seewhatididthere ) is next. It’s called “Lonely for You” and the play on the album title is not lost on me. This one is back to the rockin’ beats. Mellow and melody. The underlying keyboard is fantastic on this cut. It’s a new wave version of En Vogue or a disco version on The Supremes. Either way, nice. I hope they didn’t have to do anything freaky to get their deal...(#seewhatididthere)

So today we saw the many moods of The Vindictives in full regalia. They took 16 minutes to burn 101 calories over 7 songs. That is 14.43 calories burned per song and 6.31 calories burned per minute. The Vindictives earned 18 out of 21 possible stars. The Mary Jane Girls did it only four you. They took 19 minutes to burn 116 calories over 4 songs. That’s an average of 29.p calories burned per song and 6.11 calories burned per minute. The MJG earned 8 out of 12 possible stars. Looks like The Vindictives will be in a haploid because they won today’s challenge!

The Vindictives : “You Know Who You Are”

https://youtu.be/RpT7OGsUzWo

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