272. Thomas Dolby, The Flat Earth (1984) When he made his first recordings, Thomas Dolby took great pride in his fairly isolated tinkering with computer equipment to click towards his finished product. In interviewers, he referred to himself as an … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #272 to #270
Listening to the new Cate Le Bon single, “Moderation,” creates the sensation of being set adrift. It’s not some gentle flow, though. It’s a smooth yet brisk cascade across waters with sunlight reflecting off it like paparazzi flashbulbs. Le Bon … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Cate Le Bon, “Moderation”
275. The Del Fuegos, Boston, Mass. (1985) Circa 1985, it wasn’t considered cool — or all that acceptable, really — for a band to peddle their music for use in a commercial. Given that stigma, the Del Fuegos were beset … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #275 to 273
“Tend the Garden,” the new single from Australian band Gang of Youths, pops into with strident assurance. There’s a tight little drum fill and then a luxuriant wash of synth lines. Lead singer David Le’aupepe almost immediately murmurs the opening … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Gang of Youths, “Tend the Garden”
278. David Bowie, Tonight (1984) There’s no question that David Bowie was a certified rock legend as the calendar edged forward in the early nineteen-eighties. That didn’t mean he couldn’t hit new heights. His 1983 studio album, Let’s Dance, was … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #278 to 276
On her new single “Puppy and a Truck,” Jenny Lewis reaches a pinnacle of easygoing self-assurance. As a songwriter, Lewis forged her legend, alongside her Rilo Kiley bandmates, by crafting pointed, poignant, decorticating songs about living with depression. Her process … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Jenny Lewis, “Puppy and a Truck”
281. The Housemartins, The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death (1987) With their bright, buoyant melodies and crisp pop sound, the Housemartins hardly sound like the sort of band that would inspire outrage. At around the time the PMRC was … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #281 to #279
On her new single “Cleo,” Shygirl takes the groove seriously. Augmented by strings, the song locks in to a smooth house beat as Shygirl claims the name Cleopatra and coos “You got me feeling like a movie star.” The track … Continue reading This Week’s Model — Shygirl, “Cleo”
284. Dire Straits, Dire Straits (1978) Dire Straits were looking only for advice when they handed their five-song demo tape to Charlie Gillett, an influential BBC radio host. The band had only recently formed, mostly as a creative outlet for … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #284 to #282
287. Gene Loves Jezebel, Discover (1986) Welsh twins Jay and Michael Aston, joint frontmen of Gene Loves Jezebel, strode into the peak music video era knowing how to command attention. Lounging scallywags with haybale hairdos, kaleidoscopically colorful outfits, and troweled-on … Continue reading College Countdown: CMJ Top 1000, 1979 – 1989 — #287 to #285
Coffee for Two 