A Tumblelog Home

When the Muses Smiled on Britain

I am everyday amazed at the quality and depth of pop music that come out of Great Britain between 1977 and 1988. This torrent of musical brilliance is absolutely unmatched in music history. As a young hipster of that time, I thought I knew everything about 80s British music, but to this very day I still discover new acts from the time who are totally unfamiliar to me…and brilliant!

Just to flash my credentials, the greatest regret of my teenage years is that I was grounded (for reasons I simply cannot remember) the night the Smiths played at Tulane’s McCalister Auditorium in 1985. I purchased an import single of Adam and the Ants featuring “Lady” and “Young Parisians” at Leisure Landing on Magazine St. before the Ants ever had a U.S. record deal. I remember when U2 played at Ol’ Man Rivers which was, I believe, on Oak Street. Enough said.

As I said, believing myself all-knowing, I continue to make new discoveries. I heard the Railway Children for the first time six months ago. This was a great band, to be sure. Here’s a free sample. And then, today (yes TODAY), I heard Josef K for the first time. Their song “Sorry for Laughing” was notably covered by Nouvelle Vague, but I had never heard the original before. Here it is, and just fabulous it is.

So, when I hear “new” bands these days (Vampire Weekend, this means you) I am reduced to the Old Man’s Lament: “Son, it’s been done before… and better.”

Take Stacy Head Bowling