Monday, March 31, 2014

Teena Marie - Wild and Peaceful (35th anniversary)

Today (March 31st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Wild and Peaceful, the debut album from Teena Marie. I was a fan of her music from the mid-80's and only a few years ago, after her untimely death, fully explored her back catalog.

Click here for my full review of this album.

Hanoi Rocks - All Those Wasted Years

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of All Those Wasted Years, the first live album from the Finnish rock band Hanoi Rocks. Initially pressings of the album misspelled wasted as "waisted"; this was corrected in later releases. It was recorded in December of 1983 at the Marquee Club in London.

Sunday, March 30, 2014

GQ - Disco Nights

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (March 30th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Disco Nights, the debut album from GQ. This 1979 release spent thirty-five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 13. It also reached number 2 on the US Billboard R&B chart. GQ was a four-man group consisting of Emmanuel LeBlanc (vocals and guitar), Herb Lane (keyboards), Keith Crier (bass) and Paul Service (drums).

Saturday, March 29, 2014

Supertramp - Breakfast in America (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Today (March 29th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Breakfast in America, the sixth studio album from Supertramp.

Click here for my complete review of this album-rock station classic from 1979.

Friday, March 28, 2014

King Crimson - Three of a Perfect Pair

This week (March 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Three of a Perfect Pair, the tenth studio album from the British progressive rock band King Crimson. It went to number 58 in Germany, number 43 in Canada and number 30 in the UK. Here in the US, it spent seventeen weeks on the Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 58.

Thursday, March 27, 2014

Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C. (30th anniversary)

Today (March 27th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Run-D.M.C.

For my full review of the groundbreaking Run-D.M.C. album, click here.

Wednesday, March 26, 2014

Scorpions - Love at First Sting

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Love at First Sting, the ninth studio album from the German heavy metal band the Scorpions. World-wide, it went to number 48 in New Zealand, number 19 in Austria, number 17 in Sweden and the UK, number 15 in Canada, number 9 in Switzerland, number 6 in Germany, and number 4 in Finland and France. Here in the US, it spent sixty-three weeks on the Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 6.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Icicle Works - Icicle Works

This week (March 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Icicle Works. The 1984 release went to number 24 in the UK; here in the US it spent eighteen weeks on the Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 40. Taking its name from the science fiction short story "The Day the Icicle Works Close" by Frederik Pohl, this UK band's roster was Robert Ian McNabb (vocals, guitar and keyboards), Chris Layhe (backing vocals and bass) and Chris Sharrock (drums).

The album cover and the track order were different between the UK and the US releases. I will be taking on the US version of the record for today's review.

Monday, March 24, 2014

Ratt - Out of the Cellar

This week marks the thirtieth anniversary of Out of the Cellar, the first full-length studio album from Ratt. Following on the heels of their self-titled debut EP from the year prior (click here for that review), this 1984 release spent fifty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 7 and eventually went triple-Platinum in sales. It also charted at number 49 in the UK, number 25 in Canada, number 19 in Australia, number 8 in Germany and number 7 in Switzerland.

Sunday, March 23, 2014

The Style Council - Café Bleu (30th anniversary)

Today (March 23rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Café Bleu, the debut album from the Style Council.

You can click here to read my full review of this 1984 album.

Van Halen - Van Halen II (35th anniversary)

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (March 23rd) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Van Halen II, the appropriately titled second studio album from Van Halen.

Click here for my full review of this rocker.

Saturday, March 22, 2014

Savatage - The Dungeons Are Calling

Today (March 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of The Dungeons Are Calling, an EP from the band Savatage. This 1984 release followed their debut album Sirens from a year prior (click here for that review). In 2005, Rock Hard magazine published its book The 500 Greatest Rock & Metal Albums of All Time, and this record was ranked at number 349.

Friday, March 21, 2014

Great White - Great White

Today (March 21st) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled debut album from Great White. This 1984 release spent twelve weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 144. In the UK, it charted at number 192.

Thursday, March 20, 2014

the Jones Girls - Keep It Comin'

On Sunday (March 23rd), it will be the thirtieth anniversary of Keep It Comin', the fourth studio album from the Jones Girls. This 1984 release peaked at number 201 on the US Billboard Album chart. This R&B trio hailed from Detroit, Michigan, and was made up of sisters Brenda, Valorie and Shirley. They went from being backup singers in the mid-1970's for the likes of Lou Rawls, Aretha Franklin and Teddy Pendergrass to full blown recording artists themselves by the decade's end.

Wednesday, March 19, 2014

Natalie Cole - I Love You So

Today (March 19th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of I Love You So, the fifth studio album from Natalie Cole. This 1979 release went to number 62 in Canada, number 52 on the US Billboard Album chart (with a fifteen week total run on the chart) and number 11 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Tuesday, March 18, 2014

The Bar-Kays - Dangerous

By 1984, the American R&B group the Bar-Kays had been making music for eighteen years, adapting to the current sounds as they went along. Dangerous, their fourteenth studio album, was released thirty years ago this month. It spent twenty-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 52; it also went to number 7 on the US Billboard R&B chart.

Monday, March 17, 2014

Howard Jones - Human's Lib (30th anniversary)

Today (March 17th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the UK release of Human's Lib, the debut album from Howard Jones. The US release would come later on June 12th of 1984.

Click here for my complete review.

Sunday, March 16, 2014

The Go-Go's - Talk Show

Today (March 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Talk Show, the third studio album from the all-female American rock band the Go-Go's. The 1984 release, their final before a break-up, spent thirty-two weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 18. It also went to number 64 in Canada.

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Art Garfunkel - Fate For Breakfast

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Today (March 15th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Fate For Breakfast, the fourth solo studio album from Art Garfunkel. This 1979 release spent fourteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 67. The album also went to number 66 in both Canada and Japan, number 24 in Austria, number 9 in Norway, number 7 in Sweden, number 6 in Germany, number 2 in the UK, and number 1 in the Netherlands and New Zealand.

Friday, March 14, 2014

Joe Jackson - Body and Soul

Today (March 14th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Body and Soul, the seventh studio album from Joe Jackson. This 1984 release went to number 20 on the US Billboard Album chart (with twenty-nine weeks total on the chart) and number 14 in the UK.

Thursday, March 13, 2014

The Cars - Heartbeat City (30th anniversary)

Today (March 13th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Heartbeat City, the fifth studio album from the Cars. It spent sixty-nine weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 3.

Please click here to read my full review.

Wednesday, March 12, 2014

Berlin - Love Life

Welcome to my 2000th blog post!

Today (March 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Love Life, the third studio album from Berlin. This 1984 release spent thirty weeks on the US Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 28. It also went to number 85 in Canada and number 3 in New Zealand.

Tuesday, March 11, 2014

Marillion - Fugazi

Tomorrow (March 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Fugazi, the second studio album from Marillion. This 1984 release followed up from the previous year's script For a Jester's Tears (click here for that review). It charted at number 209 on the US Billboard Album chart, number 42 in Germany, number 29 in the Netherlands, number 23 in Sweden, and number 5 in the UK.

Monday, March 10, 2014

Simple Minds - Life In a Day

This month marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Life In a Day, the debut album from the Scottish rock band Simple Minds. This 1979 release peaked at number 30 on the UK charts.

Sunday, March 9, 2014

Squeeze - Cool for Cats

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Sunday.

Today (March 9th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Cool for Cats, the second studio album from Squeeze. This 1979 release went to number 45 on the UK charts and achieved Gold sales status in that country.

Saturday, March 8, 2014

Reba McEntire - Just a Little Love

Celebrating its thirtieth anniversary today (March 8th) is Just a Little Love, the seventh studio album from American country singer and guitarist Reba McEntire. It peaked at number 23 on the US Billboard Country chart in 1984.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Average White Band - Feel No Fret

Today (March 7th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Feel No Fret, the eighth studio album from the Scottish funk group Average White Band. It spent fifteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 32. It also went to number 15 in the UK.

The line-up for the band at this time was Alan Gorrie (vocals and bass), Roger Ball (saxophone and keyboards), Malcolm Duncan (saxophone), Steve Ferrone (drums), Owen McIntyre (guitar and vocals), and Hamish Stuart (guitar, bass and vocals).

Thursday, March 6, 2014

David Gilmour - About Face

Today (March 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of About Face, the second solo studio album from Pink Floyd’s lead guitarist David Gilmour. In the UK, this 1984 release went to number 21. In the US, it spent twenty-eight weeks on the Billboard Album chart with a peak position of number 32.

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force

Today (March 5th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Rising Force, the debut studio album from Swedish guitarist/composer Yngwie Malmsteen. This 1984 release went to number 19 in Japan and number 14 in Sweden. Here in the US, it spent forty-three weeks on the Billboard Album chart and peaked at number 60. It also received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the category of Best Rock Instrumental Performance (it lost to Jeff Beck’s “Escape”).

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Patti Austin - Patti Austin

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of the self-titled, fifth studio album from American R&B singer Patti Austin. This one spent eighteen weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 87.

Monday, March 3, 2014

Kevin Ayers - Deià...Vu

Born in Kent, England, singer-songwriter Kevin Ayers was part of the 60’s psychedelic music scene as a founding member of Soft Machine. Most of the 70’s he spent on his solo career. This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of Deià…Vu, his eleventh studio album. It was actually recorded in December of 1980 but was held for release until March of 1984.

Sunday, March 2, 2014

The System - X-Periment

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of X-Periment, the second studio album from the System. It spent five weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 182. This New York City based duo was Mic Murphy (guitar and vocals) and David Frank (keyboards and synthesizer).

Against All Odds (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)


Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

Today (March 2nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Against All Odds. The accompanying soundtrack featured some big names in the 80's music scene including Phil Collins, Peter Gabriel, Stevie Nicks, Big Country, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts.

Click here for my full review.

Saturday, March 1, 2014

Roxy Music - Manifesto

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Today (March 1st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Manifesto, the sixth studio album from Roxy Music. This 1979 release went to number 23 on the US Billboard Album chart and number 7 in the UK. The band included Bryan Ferry (vocals, keyboards and harmonica), Paul Carrack (keyboards), Andy Mackay (oboe and saxophone), Phil Manzanera (guitar), Alan Spenner (bass), Gary Tibbs (bass) and Paul Thompson (drums).