Tina Turner - Private Dancer

Sometimes the fifth time is a charm.

Tina Turner had been active in the music business for over 25 years; first as one half of a 60’s duo with then husband Ike Turner and later as a solo artist starting in 1974. It took ten years and one amazing album to make her a solo super-star. It was all due to her May 29th of 1984 release Private Dancer.

Devo - Freedom of Choice

People tend to consider this band from Akron, Ohio, as an 80’s band but Devo actually got their start in the late 70’s. When the new decade ushered in, they greeted it with their third studio album Freedom of Choice. With this May 1980 release, the band moved to a more obvious synth sound, though guitars were played a big part too. The record did fairly well on the Billboard album charts, peaking at number 22 with a total run of fifty-one weeks. It also hit number 75 in Canada, number 47 in the UK, number 9 in New Zealand and number 5 in Australia. It also contains one of the band’s most well-known songs.

Journey - Escape

Here is an album review, by request, from one of my faithful followers on Twitter. I always appreciate the feedback and suggestions.

On July 31st of 1981, the San Francisco based band Journey released their seventh studio album Escape which has become one of the biggest sellers of their career (second only to their greatest hits compilation). It went to number 59 in Germany, number 32 in the UK, number 26 in Japan, number 6 in Canada, and number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified platinum many times over and features four hit singles as well as a couple album-oriented-rock radio staples. It was also the first album by the band with new keyboardist Jonathan Cain (who replaced Gregg Rolie who had left the band the prior year).

the Replacements - Let It Be

In 1984, the Minneapolis punk rock band the Replacements decided to change up their sound a little bit for their third studio album Let It Be. The lyrics became a little more genuine and the musical arrangements a bit more detailed. The end result record might not have been a big seller but it was a critical success. It appeared on Rolling Stone’s Top 100 Albums of the 1980’s (at number 15) and 500 Greatest Albums of All-Time (at number 239). VH1 ranked it number 79 on their list of 100 Greatest Albums of Rock and Roll. Spin magazine put it at number 12 on their list of 25 Greatest Albums of All Time. It also appears on the 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die list.

The Style Council - Café Bleu

In 1983, former singer/guitarist for the Jam Paul Weller formed a new group with keyboardist Mick Talbot, drummer Steve White and vocalist Dee C. Lee. They also had studio performers on saxophone, trumpet and violin. Together they were known as the Style Council. Their debut album Café Bleu was released on March 23rd of 1984 and went to number 2 on their native UK charts. Over in the US, the album was renamed My Ever Changing Moods to capitalize on their hit single’s popularity.

Comic Books of the Week (4/27/11)

Brightest Day #24 (of 24) - the final issue where all things are answered, sort of. After last issues surprising reveal of Swamp Thing returning to the DCU proper, this issue completes the saga (for now) of the white lantern. It also opens up plotlines for upcoming Aquaman, Firestorm, and Hawkman series - plus the upcoming Search For Swamp Thing mini. I have to say that overall I enjoyed this mini, mostly because it really helped return so many great characters back into the spotlight - a spotlight that should continue in the next year. For that, this mini worked for me.

Justice League: Generation Lost #24 (of 24)- again, another final issue. This one sort of ended as I expected - as a lead-in to a new Justice League International series. But the overall story was long, drawn out, and in the end not quite so satisfying. In hindsight, this is probably one I could have skipped entirely and been perfectly fine with doing so. Ah well.

Justice Society of America #50 - the anniversary was a mixed bag. I loved the first 10 pages because of George Perez' art. The next six pages is sort of a prelude to the later part of the issue - kind of dull and the art by Freddie Williams II not so appealing (hard to follow Perez). The next 10 pages didn't give me anything new story-wise (seen it all before) and the Howard Chaykin art was pretty uneven. The final 20 pages read like a regular issue of the book - with Tom Derenick art which was good. The story deals with Jay Garrick becoming mayor of Monument Point, the return of Degaton, and a mystery involving Jessie Quick that will be the focus of future issues I am sure. So, overall, it was only 50% for me.

the Flash #11 - "the Road to Flashpoint" continues - with an intervention? Seriously? For a book about speedsters, this issue was sort of a drag. I get that there needed to be some interaction between Barry and his supporting cast (Iris, Jay, Wally and Bart) but this wasn't the best way to do it. I was bored. The only saving parts were the stuff with Hot Pursuit and the Reverse Flash.

Grease 2 (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

On June 11th of 1982, Grease 2, the not-so-famous sequel to the original film (which starred John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John), rolled into theatres. Unlike Grease, this one didn't have any top ten hits. It didn't have any mega-star power (most of the cast were relative unknowns at the time or had only appeared in a few films prior - but some went on to do some amazing stuff). It wasn't based on a Broadway show. It is also a film that is very polarizing - people either absolutely love it or they completely hate it. Very little middle ground. I most definitely fall into the former camp.