The Toy Box: 2025

Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 107

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 107
Release Date: July 1981

Highlights

First appearance and death of Hildy Dawes
Apparent death of Man-Killer
Reference is made to Daredevil 172, and Marvel Team-Up 8
Spider-Man and She-Hulk meet for the first time

Low Points

None

Oddities

Editor's Day Off: She-Hulk says to Spider-Man that Man-Killer's agents told her where Man-Killer was, and what her plans were...Except, they didn't

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Eric Clapton - Money And Cigarettes

It's important when curating a collection of, well, anything, that you masterfully craft it. Don't but stuff simply because you need to complete something. Otherwise, you may end up with something the equivalent of an entire 80's discography of Eric Clapton. Mmm boy, I sure am ecstatic.

Can you feel the sarcasm?

Firing up Clapton's 1983 Money And Cigarettes, and my second venture into his music, I was immediately greeted by the same sound which promptly turned me off of his prior release, Another Ticket. It was at this point that I thought, "Maybe I should just cut my loses, and move on." But, no. I stayed the course, and I'm kind of glad I did. If for nothing else, tracks, Ain't Going Down, I've Got A Rock 'N' Roll Heart, Slow Down Linda, Crazy Country Hop, and Man Overboard. Despite being a ballad, Pretty Girl were okay.

While I'd love to say I turned into a massive fan, that would be a lie. Granted, I at least wasn't disappointed anymore. I was getting something for my purchase. Money And Cigarettes gets a golf clap for being better than Another Ticket. Sure, I'll even go so far as to say it's okay. Does it leave me excited to continue on through his albums? Not really, but I will.

What I will also give credit to Clapton for is his guitar work. The man can play, I won't deny that. I just don't see him as a master songwriter. His tunes aren't catchy (to me), and like I said, the overall style just isn't my thing. I don't see myself walking down the street...I mean, you can pretty much end that statement there...exercise...gross...but, to elaborate, I don't see myself walking down the street humming anything from the man.

But, I have three more albums to go. Will things change? I suppose it's possible. Other than that, this one is a relatively short and sweet post.

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Disclaimer: They Toy Box does not endorse or contribute to piracy. Retro Spins posts are intended for educational and entertainment purposes only. None of the music discussed here is available for sale, downloading or distribution.

THE WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 28, 1980

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 28, 1986

Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 56

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 56
Release Date: July 1981

Highlights

Spider-Man's first battle against Jack O'Lantern, AKA Jason Macendale, who first appeared in Machine Man 19, and would later become the second (major) Hobgoblin, and one of the hosts for Demogoblin
Reference is made to Marvel Team-Up 99, Machine Man 19, and Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 48
Aunt May tells Peter that she needs him by her side while a hostage situation has her fiancé Nathan Lubensky held captive, and Peter doesn't show up because he's instead trying to save Nathan as Spider-Man
Aunt May takes Peter not being there for her really hard, saying he doesn't care about her anymore
Peter feels bad because he knows telling Aunt May he's Spider-Man would have gotten him off the hook for not being there for her, but cause a whole other level of anxiety for his Aunt

Low Points

None

Oddities

Editor's Day Off: Several panels have Spider-Man's lenses colored red

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Eric Clapton - Another Ticket

I don't know if this happens to you, general collector's of things, or if it's just me. One day, I just get a hair up my butt that I want something, and must have it then and now. Never mind that I'm not necessarily a fan of it, or on any other day of the week would have even given said subject matter another thought. This is how I ended up with G1 Transformers, Real Ghostbusters, and more relatable to this post, a lot of CD's.

One day, while perusing my local CD shop, I came across the Eric Clapton section, and found the majority of his 80's albums tucked within the shelf. Mind you, I don't like the artist. I couldn't name a song beyond Layla that I would honestly give a moment of time to listen to. Even then I would turn it off when it got to the long winded, and allegedly plagiarized piano section.

As far as I'm concerned, the guy had a lucky moment in the 70's where he became relevant with Cream, but then never went away. Lucky us? Yet, here I was, scooping up relatively cheap Clapton albums, fleshing out an entire discography of 80's albums.

Well, now that I have them, I have to listen to them...ugh. Well, let's get this ball of garbage rolling.

We start with 1981's Another Ticket...see, here's how much I care about this. I don't even know the album's name. As I started typing it out, I almost put "Ticket To Ride".

By track two, I had my fill of rhythm and blues, and was wondering if it was over already. It wasn't. There were seven left to go. What was this nonsense? I felt like I was stuck in that one scene from Adventures In Babysitting.

Seriously, and also, who names their album after a slow and monotonous track? Another Ticket, the song, is about as enjoyable as watching paint dry. Just when I thought that bashing my own head in with a bat would be a reasonable solution to my problem, I Can't Stand It came on. Yeah, you and me both, Clapton. Fortunately, this was a forgotten tune for me from the era that once played the airwaves of my yesterdays.

Putting the bat down moments from impact, I thought, "Hmm...Maybe this will get better now?" Well...I now...hospital...head trauma...no do can think more good no more. To summarize, Another Ticket, no thank you. I Can't Stand It, and Rita Mae were tolerable. The rest was a hard pass.

Ugh...four more albums to go...

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 27, 1981

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 27, 1987

Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 106

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 106
Release Date: June 1981

Highlights

First appearance of Dr. Kloon, and Dr. Noseblum
Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 20, Captain America 122, 151, and 152
Scorpion's tail gets upgrade, and now shoots electro-magnetic blasts

Low Points

We skip over Marvel Team-Up 104 and 105, which don't feature Spider-Man

Oddities

No explanation is given as to how Scorpion has the mechanical knowhow to upgrade his tail into a gun
Steve Rogers looks weird without his costume on
Editor's Day Off: Several panels with Spider-Man's lenses colored red
Editor's Continued Day Off: Scorpion says, "The time has has come for Jamison...To die!"

Steve Rogers ducks behind a file cabinet to change into his Captain America outfit, and while he does, he has his shield with him - Where was he hiding that?

Scorpion, per Captain America, is stronger and faster than him? Really? I didn't know that, and never would have thought so

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Maywood - Colour My Rainbow

When we left Maywood yesterday, they had just come off of a poor 1990 performance at Eurovision, finishing in fifteenth place. However, we're getting way too far ahead of things at this point. First, we need to hit the rewind button, and got back to 1982 for their third album, Colour My Rainbow.

I had high expectations for this album based on the prior two, and for the most part, this was met. The vocals of Caren (burnette) are just amazing, as usual, and this works in tandem with Alice's (blonde) strong writing and music direction.

Tracks one through five packed the hardest punch, which really drew me in. However, by song number six, things turned very ballad and slower paced love themed heavy. This shift in tone stayed for the remainder of the album, and honestly tanked the back half of Colour My Rainbow for me. I wanted continuous high energy, and solid pop rock, which I suppose may be my own fault for expecting this.

In hindsight, I can understand why there was a hiatus for five years. before their next album. I can definitely hear the decline in "hits". As a whole, it's just not as good as their self titled debut or follow up, Different Worlds. It kind of feels like the duo ran out of material midway through recording their 1982 record, and were just trying to gun it to the finish line.

Their final 80's album, Beside You was released in 1987. However, as of this writing, I have just now been able to track a copy down, and it should be enroute from France. While I won't be able to dive into it tomorrow, I'll definitely make it a point to swing back around to it upon its arrival.

Until then, to continue with the girls history from yesterday, after 1990's Eurovision, Maywood would release the Dutch language Achter De Horizon that same year. In 1991, they'd release the English language, Walking Back To Happiness, and additionally that year, Six Of The Thirties. Unfortunately, continued flopped singles and rapidly declining sales meant the end for the duo. They disbanded in 1995, and Alice continued a relatively unsuccessful solo career. It was also established that she would be the only one to use the name Maywood. However, Caren did not adhere to this, leading to Alice suing her in 1999. It was ruled in Alice's favor, and she was awarded the rights since she was the writer of the lyrics and music. Caren was forced to pay her for damages as a result for each identified instance of infringement.

In 2004 it was announced that the two had come to some form of agreement, and would perform together again. However, this didn't come to fruition. By 2006, Alice was looking for a new singer, and thought she found that in Rose Louwers. Days before the two were scheduled to perform, the show was cancelled, with Alice stating her and Louwers were, "Too far apart." She would elaborate by saying she had, "A very well-defined idea about how it should sound and what the décor should be." Louwers would disappear into anonymity after parting ways.

Alice continued her solo career, and utilized new singer, Inge Peters in 2010 to fill the void of her sister. Caren, on the other hand, began her own revitalization attempt in 2007. Teaming up with cabaret artist Henk Smaling, she returned to the stage with a café chantant -like program, Hotel Weemoed , a pun on Maywood. The two sisters briefly reunited for a series of Gerard Joling concerts in 2013, where they performed a medley of their hits with him. Sadly, a year later they picked up where they left off with arguing, and once again went their separate ways.

Though there has been no news from them since, hopefully, Alice, now 70, and Caren, 71, have found that the bond of sisters is stronger than any top ten hit, and made piece with each other. At the end of the day, what good is a hit song, when you've lost your sister (or brother...or any loved one) in the process?

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 26, 1982

Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 55

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 55
Release Date: June 1981

Highlights

First appearance of Virginia Hunter
Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 215 through 217, Captain Marvel 34, and Marvel Spotlight 12

Low Points

Kind of boring
Villain of the week fodder

Oddities

None

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Maywood - Different Worlds

I first touched on Dutch duo Maywood back in January of this year with their 1980 debut, and had I adopted my motif that I have as of late, I would have ultimately stayed the course, and gone through their second and third albums as well. While that opportunity may have passed, that doesn't mean I can't pick up where I left off, and dive in.

Honestly, I didn't touch much on the history of sisters, Alice May (Aaltje de Vries), and Caren Wood (Doetje de Vries), during my initial post. The two have had a storied career together as an act, starting at a young age, and being a part of numerous groups. These included their first, De Karina's in 1974, followed by Colt 45 in 1976, and later their own duo The Lady Pop's. By 1979, the girls decided they would continue together under the name Maywood.

The single, You Treated Me Wrong, from their 1980 self titled debut, didn't garner much attention on the charts. However, it did pave the way for a series of successful hits to come. Sister Alice was the lead contributor to writing the English language tracks which would be their most successful. This was aided by ex-Kayak drummer Pim Koopman, who worked with the girls in his infancy years of producer.

Late At Night, also from their debut, would become their first number one hit. Though they wouldn't make a big splash in the United States, they would still become popular in fifty-two countries during this time. They would go on to win multiple prizes and awards at festivals in West Germany, Poland, Japan and Korea. Maywood also toured extensively in Sweden, Finland, Bulgaria, Indonesia and the Soviet Union.

Let's pause here on a picture perfect start to dive into their 1981 sophomore album, Different World, as while things started off on such a high note, they would ultimately sour, leading to a break up, cancelled reunion plans, and lawsuits.

Different World features the song Rio, which introduced me to Maywood. This song takes me back to a time when we were kids in South Africa, being treated to music by our sister, who would play various records and cassettes for us while mom and dad were off somewhere. It's the tune which prompted my looking for their albums, and led to me buying them all from a now forgotten website.

Playing through it, I was once again caught off guard by how much I enjoyed it. I really didn't expect Maywood to pack the punch that they did. Alice deliver's solidly written hits (in my opinion), while Caren's vocals continue to haunt my soul with their echoing pitches. Seriously, someone reading this has got to catch on, and give them a try. You're honestly missing out.

Tracks Rio, It's A Different World, You're The One, Pasadena, I'm In Love For The Very First Time, Distant Love, all became part of my ever expanding shuffle list. It's definitely a solid one from start to finish, and excited me for the prospect of hearing more.

Maywood would return in 1982 with their third album, Colour My Rainbow, and after a break, in 1987 with Beside You, wrapping up the 80's for them. However, they found themselves in a steady decline of sales and popularity. Despite this, the girls were chosen to go to Eurovision in 1990 by the Netherlands to perform Ik wil alles met je delen (I Want To Go Everywhere With You). However, technical difficulties throughout their performance would see them finishing in fifteenth place.

Things only got worse for Maywood from there, but we have to take a pause, lest we have nothing to add to tomorrow's post, where we pick up with 1982's Colour My Rainbow. I know, I know, just as things were starting to get juicy.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 25, 1983

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 25, 1988

Comics Corner: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man

Title: Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man
Issue Number: 54
Release Date: May 1981

Highlights

First appearance of Maggia members, Onihashi, Kaneshiro, Dumont, and Rumsford

Low Points

None

Oddities

Editor's Day Off: Spider-Man catches a falling sign, and says, "These signs are lot lighter then they look..."
The police say they have no evidence to search a ship, but Spider-Man literally just saved a man that was kidnapped and then shot in the back while escaping - What more probable cause do you need?

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Duran Duran - Notorious

Okay, this is it. The last Duran Duran album from the 80's that I have to make my way through. I've talked about all the others, dug in extensively to the groups past, present, and future. Now it's time to cross the finish line with 1986's Notorious.

With nothing left to say about the band in general, let's just dive right in.

Notorious starts with the title track, and immediately sets the tone of a more mature Duran Duran. No longer riding the waves of the heartthrob images which all but tore them apart in 1985. Instead, it was back to the music. The core fundamental of what makes a band a band. The album also departs from the prior new wave and synth-pop sounds to focus on a more funk rock aspect.

The album came to fruition after the departure of core member Roger Taylor, and while parts of it featured Andy Taylor, he too would leave. Former guitarist of Missing Persons, Warren Cuccurullo, would be called in to complete Andy's work, along with producer Nile Rodgers, who also filled in. Cuccurullo would go on to remain with the group through 2000's Pop Trash. Steve Ferrone, and Jimmy Maelen would fill in on drums in the absence of Roger.

While most critics praised Notorious, the album, for its more mature tone, many also agreed that it didn't deliver the energetic pop hits that made the band popular to begin with. I suppose it's a compromise one has to make. Do you want Duran Duran to stay in their early years, rinsing and repeating the standard slate, or do you want to watch the members grow and mature? All bands ebb and flow, and sometimes that's the charm of it.

I agree with the critical reception. Notorious is definitely a more sophisticated and grown up album than what came before it. However, I'd be lying if I said I didn't wish for a campy pop hit to be thrown into the mix. Something free spirited and irresistibly giddy to just cheese out to. This album simply isn't going to do that, and it wasn't intended to. It's good, and stands on its own merit, but certainly lacks the hits of prior releases.

Standout tracks for me would be the title track, Notorious, Skin Trade, Vertigo (Do The Demolition), and Proposition. However, for the most part, it's kind of forgettable. Honestly, I felt like the whole thing was kind of dragging on, and it ultimately got relegated to background noise.

The album would also be the beginning of what would become the steady decline of album sales for the band. By the mid 90's they were shadowed so greatly by their continued underperformances of Notorious, 1988's Big Thing, and 1990's Liberty, that when they returned to record material for what would become the 1993 self titled Wedding Album, Capitol would only fund them incrementally as material was completed, submitted, and approved by the label.

Of course, despite this hiccup, and decline in the 90's, Duran Duran has since transcended to become one of the mainstay staples of the 80's, among the very few to continue to release new material, and stay relevant in the 2020's. That's no easy feat to accomplish. Heck, just surviving the 90's seemed like a life or death situation for many 80's artists.

While I certainly have many more Duran Duran albums to get through, owning their entire discography to date, that's definitely not something I'm going to be getting to soon. I mean, look how long it took me just to get to this point. It's on to someone "new" tomorrow.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 24, 1989

The Dirty Dozen - My Top Twelve Albums Of 1989

Well, here we are. My top twelve of 1989. It's been a journey getting to this point, and along the way, I've picked up numerous contenders for the seventeen spaces available on my wall to frame albums. So far, the list consists of:

Prince - 1999 (1982)
Michael Jackson - Thriller (1982)
Cyndi Lauper - She's So Unusual (1983)
Ghostbuster (1984)
The Cars - Heartbeat City (1984)
Jacksons - Victory (1984)
"Weird Al" Yankovic - In 3-D (1984)
Prince And The Revolution - Purple Rain (1984)
Oingo Boingo - Dead Man's Party (1985)
USA For Africa - We Are The World (1985)
Prince And The Revolution - Around The World In A Day (1985)
Falco - Falco 3 (1985)
"Weird Al" Yankovic - Dare To Be Stupid (1985)
Bon Jovi - Slippery When Wet (1986)
Europe - The Final Countdown (1986)
Top Gun (1986)
Michael Jackson - Bad (1988)
Guns N' Roses - Appetite For Destruction (1987)
Aerosmith - Permanent Vacation (1987)
Def Leppard - Hysteria (1987)
Prince - Sign 'O' The Times (1987)
Roxette - Look Sharp (1988)
Bon Jovi - New Jersey (1988)

Today, we'll get the final nominations, and from there, make a decision.

It all starts with the last couple honorable mentions for the decade, which are Skid Row's self titled debut, and "Weird Al" Yankovic's studio album / soundtrack, UHF. The latter definitely has a cool cover, and I'm still considering getting all of Al's 80's albums for the wall. But, I haven't really committed in full to that yet.

Queen's The Miracle gets flack for not packing the punch of prior releases from the band. For me though, it contains a ton of my favorites. Plus, it's Queen...So, you know, bias opinions are going to come into play.

I have a love / hate relationship with Mötley Crüe. Frankly, I skip their songs every time they come on because of personal reasons about the band members. This in turn makes it difficult for me to sit through their music these days. On the other hand, I acknowledge they're iconic to the era, and when you strip away personal feelings, I do think they have a lot of good music, most of which comes from their 1989 released Dr. Feelgood.

The Bee Gees were struggling to catch a break in the 80's. For some reason, people just didn't want them to exist, musically. Regardless, One is a solid album, showcasing that the brothers still had it in them to deliver fantastic pop hits, and amazing vocals.

I learned about Billy Joel with his music videos from An Innocent Man. However, it was Storm Front that got me to start paying attention. This album is masterfully crafted, and features my all time favorite from him, The Downeaster Alexa.

Also among my favorites are Something Happened On The Way To Heaven, and I Wish It Would Rain Down from Phil Collins. Legacy artists were closing out the 80's on top of their game, and Collin's was no exception when he released ...But Seriously.

Okay, I get it. Milli Vanilli were just an act, lip syncing to music from someone else. Put that aside, and ask yourself one question. Was the music good? If you said yes, then who cares who sang it? Without the act we would have never gotten Blame It On The Rain, Baby Don't Forget My Number, the title track, Girl You Know It's True, and more! At the end of the day, I'll take that.

A mature Madonna emerged in 1989 with Like A Prayer, an album originally cut with patchouli oil in the actual vinyl to add to the church-type feel" and a sensual experience for the listener. Plus, what young boy on the cusp of puberty didn't enjoy watching the Express Yourself music video on MTV?

I believed Alice Cooper was a new artist, born of the hair metal craze which was taking the world by storm. I would have never guessed that his 1989 Trash was his eleventh studio outing as a solo artist, not including the additional seven he had as a band by the same name. Trash introduced me to a whole new world of music, and quickly became one of my favorites that I would listen to from start to finish.

The original Ghostbusters is an icon unto itself, but still, I like the second movie. I also favor its soundtrack to the originals. Ghostbusters II, the album, features awesome songs from start to finish. If I had one regret about it, that would be choosing not to pay the $20 I found a brand new sealed copy for on vinyl a couple years ago. Vinyl wasn't my thing back then...I suppose it's still not. I mean, I am, after all, just looking for wall art. I'll stick with my CD for listening purposes.

Another soundtrack, Prince's Batman. Say what you will about this one, I dig it...a lot! I dare say that if it weren't for this album, I probably wouldn't have bothered with anything further in his discography.

When Janet Jackson released Control, I personally didn't care much. However, when she hit 1989 with Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, I took notice. Who didn't? How could you not? This album single handedly kept the 80's on the Billboard Hot 100 in the 90's with continuous hits reaching number one.

Which brings me to number one, Aerosmith's Pump. Who would have thought Aerosmith would make such a massive comeback, and become one of the greatest selling artists of all time for a second time? Perfect from start to finish, and featuring some great music videos to boot, Pump definitely helped send off the 80's on a high note.

With that, we have our final contenders for a spot on the wall. Aerosmith's Pump, Janet Jackson's Rhythm Nation 1814, Prince's Batman, and Alice Cooper's Trash. Yes, we're skipping on Ghostbusters II.

Now it's time to take my list, and go decide which albums will make the cut.

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Retro Spins: Duran Duran - Seven And The Ragged Tiger

I've bounced all over the Duran Duran spectrum, having already talked about their debut self titled album, follow up Rio, and last 80's album, Big Thing. I've even go so far as to review their 2021 released Future Past. What I've typically found in playing through these albums is that I like the hits, but that Duran Duran, overall, isn't what I would call a "favorite".

Because I've listened to so many of their releases (from the 80's) already, it doesn't make much sense for me to go all the way back to the bands beginning, and carve out their history. I've already done that in the aforementioned posts.

So, straight to it. Let's dive into 1983's Seven And The Ragged Tiger. It was a turning point for the band as a collective. Sessions were marred with a lack of productivity, which led to the first signs of turmoil between members. As a whole, the band wanted to change direction from their previous releases, and this led to Tiger to become a dance synth-pop record, littered with ambiguous lyrics. While it featured the hit singles The Reflex, Union Of The Snake, and New Moon On Monday, critics panned it upon its release. Despite this, Seven And The Ragged Tiger would perform spectacularly in sales, as well as on the charts.

As I played through it, I got the hits, and they were fantastic. I even got an added treat of the tune, Shadows On Your Side, and The Seventh Stranger. Was it an amazing listening session? No. Frankly, the majority of it was mediocre.

What I will say is that had this been my entry Duran Duran album in 1983, it definitely would have intrigued me enough to ask, "What else has this band done?" I dare say I'd also have been excited for what they would follow up with. However, it's 2025 at this point, so all I can do is look at it as it stands here and now, which is just okay. I suppose it's easier to do that when you already have everything from before and after, and are relatively familiar with the best the band has to offer.

Seven And The Ragged Tiger doesn't make me a super fan of Duran Duran. It just makes me happy to have the album. There's good stuff on it, some of which is a staple of the era it's from. I would even go so far as to say that it's one you "need" in your collection if you collect 80's music.

Upon its release, the band would head out for a massive world tour, which would lead to the 1984 (somewhat) live album, Arena, and an appearance at Live Aid, by 1985. It was at this world event where Le Bon would be bestowed the honor of "The Bum Note Heard Round the World" when he inadvertently hit an off-key falsetto note in the chorus of "A View to a Kill". The singer would later recall it as the most embarrassing moment of his entire career.

The band intended on taking a break, and probably should have, as by 1986 they lost two core members from fatigue and tension. Roger Taylor left after their Live Aid performance, content to retire to the English country. Andy Taylor would leave from rising tensions, as well as creative differences during the recording sessions for what would become Notorious. Though all would reunite eventually for the 2004 album Astronaut, and world tour. There was also the brief stint in 1985 of Arcadia and The Power Station.

Simon Le Bon, Nick Rhodes, and John Taylor would continue the legacy of Duran Duran with 1986's Notorious, and 1988's Big Thing. They'd pick up new guitarist (and former guitarist of Missing Persons), Warren Cuccurullo, who would stay with them for 1990's Liberty, 1993's Duran Duran (The Wedding Album), 1995's Thank You, 1997's Medazzaland, and 2000's Pop Trash. However, by this latter album, bassist John Taylor would briefly depart. Drummer Sterling Campbell, would also be credited for his contributions to 1988's Big Thing, and 1990's Liberty. However, he would quietly depart during the early stages of 1993's Wedding Album to join Soul Asylum.

Upon reuniting for the above noted Astronaut, Andy Taylor would once again depart, leaving the four remaining core members in place for subsequent albums, Red Carpet Massacre (2007), All You Need Is Now (2011), Paper Gods (2015), Future Past (2021), and Danse Macabre (2023). It would also be this latter album that Andy Taylor and Warren Cuccurullo would return to the group to contribute.

All in between this, the group would continue to tour extensively, selling out just as big of crowds as they did in their prime. To say that Duran Duran has survived and thrived in the last few decades would be an understatement.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 23, 1984

Comics Corner: Marvel Team-Up 103

Title: Marvel Team-Up
Issue Number: 103
Release Date: March 1981

Highlights

Second appearance of Taskmaster, AKA Tony Masters
First appearance of "Slick" Mick Butler, Ollie, Mahoney, and Gus Sweezer
Death of Gus Sweezer
An action figure of Rom the Space Knight is among Cassie Lang's toys
Reference is made to Avengers 195 and 196
Taskmaster counters and thwarts every single attack from Spider-Man

Low Points

None

Oddities

Scott Lang stands in front of his daughter in nothing but a towel

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: Rick James - Street Songs

Before he became a meme and running gag as a result of Chappelle's Show, Rick James was considered a solid producer and musician. He began performing in bands in his teenage years, but then to avoid the draft, moved to Toronto, Canada, where he continued his music aspirations. It was in this new country that he formed The Mynah Birds, a group which would later be signed to Motown. Unfortunately, the military would catch up with him, and convict him for desertion. After spending several months in jail, James would relocate to California, continuing his musical work.

Forming the group, Stone City Band, would garner the attention of Motown's Gordy Records, and lead to him signing with the label, releasing his 1978 debut, Come Get It! Led by singles, You And I, and Mary Jane, the album would ultimately be gold certified.

The 1979 sophomore album, Bustin' Out Of L Seven, garnered the top ten hit, Bustin' Out (On Funk), and was followed that same year with his third release, Fire It Up. James was by far burning up the charts at this point, and this trend continued with his 1980 album, Garden Of Love. Probably the best thing to come from James around this time was the discovery (so to speak) of Teena Marie, who had worked with a number of producers at Gordy Records, but never got her material released until James began working with her.

All of this would change in 1981 with the release of Street Songs. While singles Give It To Me Baby, and Super Freak wouldn't fare as well on the Billboard Hot 100, reaching only forty and sixteen, respectively, on the R&B charts they'd reach number one and three. Regardless, Street Songs would go on to be Rick James most popular album of all time, and his overall best seller.

Playing through Street Songs, I definitely endorsed the singles noted above, as well as Ghetto Life, Call Me Up, Below The Funk (Pass The J). I suppose that's a solid entry, considering it's over half the album. I was really hoping to get into the Teena Marie duet, Fire And Desire. Unfortunately, this was a very sappy ballad that just didn't work for me.

In general, Rick James was never really an artist I got into, even in the 80's. Which is why I'm a bit surprised I enjoyed this as much as I did. While I'd be intrigued to hear a bit more of his early to mid 80's stuff, it's not something I would go out of my way to do, nor pay a lot of money to do. I'm talking dollar bin finds would be the only thing that would probably get me to bite.

As for Rick James, his career appears to have piqued in 1985 with his appearance on The A-Team. While he released three albums in that 1981 - 1985 time span, Throwin' Down (1982), Cold Blooded (1983), and Glow (1985), none seemed to compare to his 1981 smash. Further, his album Glow was essentially labeled by Rolling Stones as James having run out of ideas. Ouch! That's mean.

With album sales continuing to drop, Gordy Record's would release James following his 1986 album, The Flag. Reprise would pick him up, and release his 1988 wonderful, and 1989 Kickin' albums. However, they too would then drop the artist.

By the 90's, James's career was hampered by drug addiction, and ongoing legal issues. Following a conviction in 1993 for kidnapping and assault, receiving a three year sentence. After his release in 1996, he released the album Urban Rhapsody (1997) for the Columbia label, Private-I. However, after suffering a stroke in 1998, he announced his semi-retirement. Since then, he has only released one additional album, 2007's Deeper Still under the Stone City label.

Perhaps the best thing that could of happened for James was to become a running gag and meme on Chappelle's Show. Otherwise, would people even be talking about him today?

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 22, 1985

Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 218

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 218
Release Date: July 1981

Highlights

Special guest appearance from Matt Murdock and Froggy Nelson

Low Points

Spider-Man reading order timeline seems off - This story makes reference to the events of Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 56, and Marvel Team-Up 107 occurring smack dab in the middle of this story, but the timeline has those occurring five and six issues past this one
Just a rip off of King Kong's story

Oddities

Matt Murdock tells a judge that despite Sandman and Hydro-Man being villains, that infused together they make a new individual who hasn't committed any crimes

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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Retro Spins: INXS - Kick

The sun, for me, sets on INXS with their final 1980's album, Kick. While it would go on to be the band's best selling album, spawning multiple Billboard hits, their label Atlantic didn't initially see this. Instead, upon its completion, the label offered the band one million dollars to return to the studio to record a new record. The fortunately declined.

Worldwide popularity ensued upon its release, with Kick landing at number one in Australia. Its success would be aided by hits, Never Tear Us Apart (Billboard number 7), New Sensation (3), Devil Inside (2), and their number one hit, Need You Tonight. They found additional success with their single, Good Times (7), which was featured in The Lost Boys.

While their music videos occupied airtime on MTV in 1988, the band focused on a world tour. They would wrap up the year by sweeping that year's MTV Music Awards, winning in five categories for their videos for Need You Tonight / Meditate.

With all that said, let's dive headlong into Kick. It's an album I've heard many times before, but will gladly listen to again for today's Retro Spin. This unto itself is ironic because truth be told, as I may have mentioned before, INXS was not a band I liked in the 80's. I knew the hits, which is what led me to ultimately buying this album. This in turn led me to buying more from them, eventually amassing their entire 80's catalog.

For me, the album delivers hand over fist. Yes, you have the above noted hits, but then you also get the likes of Meditate, and The Loved Ones, which should have been a hit. Not enough for you? No problem. You also get Wild Life, Mystify, Calling All Nations, and Tiny Daggers.

Kick is solid. There's just no other way to say it. It's also a fantastic end of the 80's era for INXS. Granted, they did go on to the 90's where they continued to be successful. Sadly, the momentum came to an end in 1997 when Michael Hutchence was found dead in a hotel room, ruled as suicide. The singer struggled with depression, as well as substance abuse. Further, he was struggling with not being able to see his daughter much. That in and of itself is a story which includes Bob Geldof, and Paula Yates. It's tragic to the core, and a sad note to end on, though an ending none the less.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 21, 1980

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
June 21, 1986

Comics Corner: The Amazing Spider-Man 217

Title: The Amazing Spider-Man
Issue Number: 217
Release Date: June 1981

Highlights

First appearance of Mud-Thing
Reference is made to The Amazing Spider-Man 212, and 215
Biff Rifkin, Debbie Whitman's "new" boyfriend is a jerk, and spoils the ending to the film Peter is headed inside a theater to see
Sandman is putting the moves on Hydro-Man's girl, Sadie Frickett
In a fit of rage from hearing his neighbor singing again, Peter loses his temper and smashes the wall, finally formally meeting Lonesome Pincus
Hydro-Man and Sandman combine to become Mud-Thing in a cliffhanger ending

Low Points

None

Oddities

Hydro-Man makes an unexpected appearance, and Spider-Man responds by...going to a movie

Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)

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