Frida - Something's Going On

Today (September 6th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of Something's Going On, the third solo studio album by Frida Lyngstad and her first in English. This 1982 release was in development as ABBA was finishing their final year as a working band. The album went Gold in Sweden after spending time at the number 1 spot on their charts. Around the rest of the world, it went to number 18 in the UK, number 12 in Germany, number 10 in Austria, number 3 in Finland and Switzerland, and number 2 in Belgium and Norway. In the US, it peaked at number 41 on the Billboard Hot 200.

Kenny Loggins - High Adventure

This month marks the thirtieth anniversary of High Adventure, the fourth solo studio album from Kenny Loggins. The 1982 release came out three years after his previous album; despite a long time away from the charts it still managed to climb all the way to number 13 on the US Billboard Hot 200. The sales in the US earned him a Gold certification for the disk.

The Who - It's Hard (30th anniversary)

Today (September 4th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of It's Hard, the tenth studio album by the British rock giants - the Who.

For my full review of this album, click here.

While it wasn't in 1982, I did have the pleasure to see the Who perform live on one of their many farewell tours in the late 80's. This was for their 1989 tour to celebrate the 25th anniversary of The Kids Are Alright; I bought my older brother a ticket to the Raleigh show for his birthday that year. No denying that they put on an awesome live show.

Book Review: The Duchess of the Shallows

The life of an orphaned bread girl named Duchess changes when a mysterious mark comes into her possession and along with it a chance to be initiated into a secret society within the fog-shrouded city of Rodaas.

The Duchess of the Shallows is a fantasy novel written by Neil McGarry and Daniel Ravipinto. It includes the cover and interior illustrations by Amy Houser.

Captain Sensible - Women and Captains First

Today (September 3rd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Women and Captains First, the solo debut album of Captain Sensible. Prior to this 1982 release, the English singer-songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist was part of the punk band the Damned.

The album sparked interest in the UK, going to number 64 on the charts there. Here in the US, the album mostly got play on college radio and other stations that featured early alternative artists.

Culture Club - Kissing To Be Clever

In 1981, British new-wave soul singer Culture Club was formed. The group consisted of lead singer Boy George, bassist Mikey Craig, drummer Jon Moss and guitarist/keyboardist Roy Hay. After a few singles early in 1982 that failed to generate any chart success, the band released Kissing To Be Clever in September of 1982. This debut album went on to be a Platinum seller. It went to number 5 in their native UK, number 8 in Germany, number 12 in Australia, number 2 in New Zealand and France, and number 3 in Sweden and Norway. In the US, the album climbed all the way to number 14 on the Billboard Hot 200 and number 24 on the Billboard R&B charts.

The track listing varied between the UK vinyl and the US one. Since I first discovered the album with the later, I will be reviewing the tracks in that order today to celebrate the thirtieth anniversary.

André Cymone - Livin’ In the New Wave

Growing up in Minneapolis, Minnesota, André Simon Anderson was the son of a musician and a social worker, the youngest of six children. The Anderson home also had another member, a young Prince Rogers Nelson who had moved out of his own home due to family conflict. The two teens shared a common love of music.

With the stage name of André Cymone, the young bass guitarist and Prince first worked together in a band call Grand Central. André’s sister Linda and another friend, Morris Day, were part of the group when it was later named Champagne.