Bonus Track: "Good Times" by The Rolling Stones

This early Rolling Stones tune just feels good to listen to. Thanks to my wife for stumbling upon it and recommending it.

80's Synth Pop

It's been a while since we've brought you a new episode of Rock Show. Today, we bring you one of our oft-promised internet-only playlists, which you can stream right here in this very browser window courtesy of the Grooveshark service. We're looking at 1980's Synth Pop this time around. As it's name implies, Synth Pop is a form of popular music in which the synthesizer is the dominant musical instrument. Forbears of Synth Pop include Progressive Rock (which often employed synths) and Krautrock (Kraftwerk and their ilk). I think we've gathered together a fairly representative sample that can whet your appetite for further Synth Pop exploration. Without delaying any further, let's dig in!

 

In my research for tonight's show, I noticed that both the UK and Japan were both mentioned as the origins of Synth Pop. If you're like me and grew up in the 80s and 90s in America, you associate Synth Pop primarily with British groups. In order to rectify this a little and give us a broader sample of the genre, I've included a track from Japanese Synth Pop pioneers Yellow Magic Orchestra.

Howard Jones is one of the stalwart acts that pops up on Synth Pop compilations, radio stations, and playlists. Per Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic.com, "Jones was one of the defining figures of mid-1980s synthpop. His music merged the technology intensive sound of New Wave with the cheery optimism of hippies and late 1960s pop. Jones racked up a string of hits in the mid and late 1980s, before he retreated into being a cult figure in the 1990s"

Per Wikipedia: "The Human League are a British synthpop band of which Philip Oakey is the lead singer and the role for which he is best known, although he has worked on numerous other projects. 'Together in Electric Dreams' was released at the height of the Human League's international fame and success. The song style broadly mimics the Human League's traditional sound. Because it was sung by Oakey and was a hit at the same time as the Human League's highest profile, it quickly became closely associated with the band. It would go on to become a bigger hit than some actual Human League singles of the same period. Often it is erroneously credited as a Human League single. Because of its close association with the band and its popularity it was included in their various Greatest Hits compilation albums released later."

Grand Vinale:

Tonight's episode comes to its conclusion with some examples of a defining element of 80's Synth Pop and popular music in general: The extended, 12" mix. Duran Duran had a tradition of calling their extended, 12" dance mixes "night versions," and here we have the night version of "Hungry Like The Wolf."

Also included is the 12" extended mix of Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill." Bush is often assigned to many genres, including Art Rock, Alternative Rock, Progressive Rock, and Wikipedia even mentions "baroque pop," which is new to me. But her highly-regarded album Hounds of Love is undoubtedly Synth Pop (though side B treads into more experimental territory - a Synth Pop Opera?). A new mix of "Running Up That Hill" would later be made for the 2012 Olympics closing ceremonies, using the 12" extended mix as it's backing track with new vocals recorded over top. Unfortunately, American viewers wouldn't get to see this part of the ceremony (not until it hit YouTube later, at least).

We finish up with "A Little Respect (12 Inch Vocal)" by Erasure.

A blogger named Hashmoder hosts an extensive 12" Vinyl Jukebox on his website, where you can play 465 tracks from his vast collection. That's 5,580 inches, folks.

Thanks for checking out the show. As always, we love you guys. Stick around for Bonus Tracks down below...

Bonus Track: "Lime Time (Studio Demo)" - The Cure

The Cure spans numerous genres, and arguably even invented one or two of their own. However, their mid-80s work especially has a synth pop influence. I've been meaning to figure out a way to work this poppy, little gem into Rock Show.

Bonus Track: "PoP! Goes My Heart" - Hugh Grant

The film Music and Lyrics is no masterpiece, though I do recall it being pretty good when judged as a Romantic Comedy. Though it would be hard for any film to live up to the promises made by the wonderful, Wham!-inspired music video that runs behind the opening credits.

Bonus Track: "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty

NPR was playing a montage of songs by artists who died in the year 2011, and I heard a snippet of "Baker Street" by Gerry Rafferty. Of course, I didn't think "Ah, it's Baker Street." Instead, I thought, "It's that song. That's actually a pretty nice song. What is the name of that song and who performs it? Wow, I have no idea. Quick, brain, copy a snippet of lyrics so that later on you can paste them into an internet search string!" Somehow, this plan worked. Thirteen hours after hearing it on NPR, I give this song to you to enjoy.

Have a happy new year!

Playlist: December 7, 2011

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy - David Bowie & Bing Crosby
Wagon Wheel - Lou Reed
Sweet Jane - Mott The Hoople
All The Young Dudes - David Bowie
China Girl - Iggy Pop
Watch That Man - Lulu
Oh You Pretty Things - Peter Noone
Life On Mars? - Seu Jorge
[YouTube's BowieChick wants to hear more new David Bowie tunes]
Province - TV On The Radio
[Clip from "David Bowie" ep. of Extras]
Success - Iggy Pop

Series 3, Episode XV: "Boughs of Bowie"

The Bowie Tree has many branches—or "boughs," if you will. This week we'll be decking The Lab with many such boughs, i.e., some of our favorite examples of the seemingly countless ways—direct and indirect—in which Mr Bowie has infiltrated other musicians and pop culture in general. Here's but one example a couple examples to help get you in the spirit:

1. The video I originally intended for this post (I finally figured out how to embed it):

Peace on Earth/Little Drummer Boy with Will Ferrell & John C. Reilly from Will Ferrell

2. And here, of course, is the infamous Bowie v. Jagger Dance-Off: