New Wave (depeche mode, electronic, dance, metal, punk)

FRED HALE SR. · 10-02-2012, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Screen13

True. Most of my like for Round Trip is mainly with trying to prove that they had something else in their sound, although there were a couple of times where it failed - Their "Africa" sounded like a failed audition for a new Love Boat theme for starters - but the Country style of "Pay the Devil" (The single...not really a wise choice as it was too far a move away) was a good thing and the slightly Beatles '67-esque happening of "We Are Waiting" was pretty good, kind of like a harbinger of LA's New-Psych scene of The 80's.

The Producer of Round Trip was Jack Douglas, and that should have brought some attention after JD's production of John and Yoko's album Double Fantasy, but it seriously went in and out of the Top 200 in a blink.

Actually, Feiger revived The Knack a few times, one for a critically accepted but little sold album called Serious Fun in '91, while "Sharona" was having a mega comeback of sorts (again, the Deal With the Devil Strikes Again!...and what did they say on that third album?), and a couple of other discs that were only known to their die hard following.

The best thing about The Knack's sound was that they were seasoned professionals who knew to keep it simple and play with a Mid 60's force while keeping it tight and well-produced for the industry of their time. Feiger is still known to Classic Rock collectors of rare music for his band Sky. "Sharona" sounded like a serious do or die time for them, as if this was the moment to seriously break through in the music biz after year of being on the sidelines.

Most huge acts have been mentioned already. I'd throw in Joe Jackson, Missing Persons, Wall of Voodoo and Squeeze as other important acts. Joe Jackson always added cool jazz elements to his playing, and also bridged the gap between elvis costello and Billy Joel to me. A real cool sounding voice and he could really play the keys.

Dale Bozzio of MP really had the perfect voice for New Wave it was like bubblegum and cotton candy mixed together. A very tight band with great hooks, I always haf a great appreciation for how unique they sounded.

If you want unique Stan Ridgway is about as unique as you can get. WOV was always treading new territory and Ridgway continues to do it solo to this day. A really awesome song writer with a very eclectic sound and a very universal appeal.

Squeeze has always been one of those bands that doesn't really get talked about or heard by many. I think in the late 70's they were every bit as good as the Cars and Devo for churning out very diverse music with a great pop appeal. Their harmony on vocals and melody of their songs has always touched me in a deep way. Some consider them pop fodder, but dig a lil deeper, these guys can play.