The Toy Box

Retro Spins: Rolling Stones - Dirty Work

Rolling Stones aren't my favorite band in the world, but they do have hits that I like. While I've only reviewed one album in the past here, their 1964 debut, this is officially my first venture into a full album from the 80's.

I covered a lot of ground in the overall history of the group in my above noted post, so I won't retread their inception. Instead, let's head to 1978 where the band re-established themselves with the release of, Some Girls, which featured the hit Miss You. This led to a series of tours, as the band continued to record and release new material into the early 80's.

However, by 1983, rifts between Jagger and Richards were peaking. This led to the two band members focusing more on their solo careers, with Richards even stating he was losing interest in the Rolling Stones. Which is odd, because when it came time to work on their 1986 album, it would be Richards and Wood who would drive the record to completion, with Jagger being mainly absent from the studio. The singer would also refuse to tour to promote the album, and instead set out for solo shows.

This is where the train stops for today's Retro Spin, where we spin up Dirty Work, and see just how it was. Before doing so, I will remind everyone that Rolling Stones really aren't that big to me. Do I like their hits? Sure. Are they the greatest band in the world? Not to me.

I did enjoy hearing the opening song, One Hit (To The Body). However, beyond that, Harlem Shuffle, the song I got the album for, and Sleep Tonight were the only other tunes I nabbed for my shuffle. Mind you, the latter was a toss up, and one that I'll have to listen to again later to see if it does indeed make the cut.

I think what surprised me the most about the overall album was the heavy use of backup singers, and lack of lead vocals from Jagger on a handful of tracks. This isn't what I expected from such an established band. Though with that said, it's also no surprise considering the above noted history of Dirty Work's recording sessions.

It's a decent album, but it by no means blows me away, or makes me feel like I absolutely have to hear more from them. That in and of itself was unexpected.

In 1989, the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and with this honor, both Jagger and Richards set aside their indifference, returning to the studio to record and release their final album of the decade, Steel Wheels. They followed this up with a massive tour of the world, their first in seven years.

While this was followed by a long break, the band has since released a handful of additional albums. However, with band members now in their 80's, though they could release a new album, I would doubt they have it in them to endure any further touring, at least on any grand scale.

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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.

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 17, 1981

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 17, 1987

Retro Spins: Men Without Hats - Rhythm Of Youth

Say, we can go where we want to, and where we're going is back to 1982!

Men Without Hats initially formed as a punk band in 1977. However, by 1980 was retooled and reformed into a synthesizer based group. The name originated from the Doroschuk brothers, who during Montreal's cold winters refused to wear hats, calling them selves, "the men without hats."

The group released their first EP that same year, but wouldn't find success until releasing their first studio album, Rhythm Of Youth. The track which led the way, The Safety Dance. It not only reached the charts in the United States, but also Canada and the UK. This was most likely aided by the unique music video, which saw steady rotation on MTV.

It's right here where today's Retro Spin takes place.

Finding the original pressing of this album is incredibly difficult, and by no means cheap. Copies can easily sell for upwards of $500.00. Which is why when I saw one listed for $15.00, I about fell on the floor. Sadly, while I was composing myself, someone else swooped in to grab it. So for me, sadly, I am stuck with my digipak re-release with bonus tracks.

What's interesting to note about Rhythm Of Youth is that, in 1982, depending on if you got it in the US, Canada or UK, you would get a very different listening experience. This can also be impacted by the format in which you buy it on. Releases on LP in Canada and the UK were both the same. However, for the 1983 US LP, the song Living In China was removed, with the track Antarctica added in its place. Additionally The Safety Dance was the extended dance mix.

A cassette version was released in the US in 1983 which kept the song, Antarctica, but also included Living In China. Due to space constraints, the dance mix of The Safety Dance was replaced by the original edit.

Canada and the UK also got a CD pressing in 1984 which included five additional bonus tracks. These not included the dance mix of The Safety Dance, but also all four tracks from the band's 1980 EP. This is the particular version I am after.

Putting on my digipak version (grumble), I really wasn't expecting much from this album. As such, it was a great surprise to find myself not only invested, but enjoying what I was hearing. Of the fifteen tracks which encompass the expanded version of the album, I grabbed seven.

I was glad to find that this release not only had the extended dance mix of The Safety Dance, but also the original version. Personally, I don't like when CD versions of albums maximize space by providing alternate cuts of songs in place of the original. I prefer, and want the original.

Overall, I found myself really liking what I heard. It was synth pop goodness, and it was surprising that only one song from the album made any form of impact. In fact, the group wouldn't have another hit until 1987's Pop Goes The World, with the song of the same name.

We'll eventually get to that album here at The Toy Box. However, until them, I'm off to listen to something else.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 16, 1982

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 16, 1988

Retro Spins: Bangles - All Over The Place

Before they walked like an Egyptian, the female group, Bangles, was All Over The Place. Though the 1984 recording is their first studio album, technically, they released a self titled EP in 1982.

The band started forming in December 1980, when Susanna Hoffs placed an add in a paper to form a group. While she received a reply from Annette Zilinskas, who would become the first bassist, she was more so finding common interest with her roommates, Vicki and Debbie Peterson. Together, they formed The Colours in 1981, but changed this shortly thereafter to The Bangs.

Right after recording and releasing their EP through Faulty Productions, the girls discovered that there was already a band named The Bangs, and they were prohibited from using the name without paying a fee. Rather than doing so, they dropped "The" from the name, and changed Bang to Bangles, and their EP was re-released in 1983 by I.R.S. Records under the new name.

More interested in her own project, Zilinskas left the band, and was replaced by Michael Steele. With the new lineup in place, the girls set to work recording their studio debut, All Over The Place. Though it peaked at eighty, the album spent thirty weeks on the U.S. Billboard Charts.

Even from the beginning, you can hear the harmonies capsuled in the power pop roots of each song. While you won't find the tracks that ate up the airways from their following album, Different Light (1986), what you will discover are a lot of hidden gems.

Personally, I grabbed six of the eleven tracks for my shuffle, but will still be honest and say the rest of the album isn't bad. In hindsight, it's a little odd that All Over The Place, or rather, the songs that encompass it, didn't make a bigger impact than they initially did. I suppose this is probably because there's really nothing "commercial" about it. The music is good, it's just not necessarily filled with mainstream hits. There's nothing that feels radio friendly.

Of course, that all changed for Bangles afterwards, and despite breaking up after their 1988 album, Everything, they did eventually come back together, thanks to Austin Powers. Hoffs, who married Jay Roach in 1993, and who just so happened to direct the film, The Spy Who Shagged Me, convinced his wife to reform the group, and provide a song for the soundtrack. Since then, the reunited quartet released 1993's Doll Revolution, and despite the departure of Michael Steele afterwards, followed that up with 2013's Sweetheart Of The Sun.

Though things have been relatively quite from the girls, perhaps we'll see yet another return one day. Hopefully with all four members returning.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 15, 1983

Retro Spins: Tiffany - Hold An Old Friend's Hand

Ah, yes. There was nothing like the mall back in the 80's. Shopping, hanging out, and concerts.

Tiffany got her start in 1981, singing country music, later to be discovered by Hoyt Axton and his mother Mae Axton. She would be taken by the woman to perform on the Ralph Emery Show. She was just ten years old.

By 1984, Tiffany signed her first recording contract with George Tobin, and by 1986 signed over total control of her career to him. This was followed by her signing with MCA, and her first studio album, the self titled Tiffany, which was released in 1987.

When her first single, Danny, failed to chart, Tobin sent her on a tour across shopping malls. Sponsored by Adidas, Clairol, and Toyota, the fifteen year old singer slowly showed teenage girls across the country that living a dream can pay off. She soon had several chart toppers, and the number one hit, Could've Been.

Unfortunately, money came with lawsuits, as the family fought with her manager over money and control of her career. A young Tiffany pleased to a judge to grant her emancipation. A plea which was denied by the court. She was however granted the ability to move out of her mother's home, and stay with her grandmother.

Her second album, Hold An Old Friend's Hand was released in 1988, and while it garnered one top ten hit, and was well received critically, it was not as financially successful as her prior album. Shortly after its release, Tiffany turned eighteen, and went her separate ways from her manager.

While she was able to sign a new recording deal, and continued to release albums into the 90's, it was ultimately the massive change in music styles in this new decade that was her demise. Gone were the days of people wanting to hear dance / pop music. Instead, they were rocking hard to grunge. Though she disappeared for quite some time, Tiffany made a comeback to music in 2000, and continued to release albums through 2021.

I've already reviewed here 1987 debut, so today I'm wrapping up her 80's entries with 1988's Hold An Old Friend's Hand.

It starts off decently with All This Time, and Oh Jackie, but pretty much from there takes a nose dive fast. I mean, Tiffany isn't exactly my kind of music. After all, I only bought this album because it was in a 99 cent bin, and from the 80's. Otherwise, I wouldn't have given it a second glance.

I did grab the first and second track off of it for my shuffle, so I suppose I at least got something out of it. A dollar for two tracks isn't bad. You'll pay that price alone for a single digital download of a tune, and I get to own mine, vs. renting it. In that regard, I at least got my monies worth.

Beyond that, there's not much more to say. Not from me, anyway.

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THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 14, 1984

THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS
January 14, 1989

Baltmore Comic Con 2024 Part 2: Dan Jurgens, Brett Breeding, and John Beatty

Though it wasn't the first table I went to, one of the things I wanted to rectify from a prior meeting of Dan Jurgens was two specific comics which I was kicking myself for missing the first time, as well as get him to sign my convention book, which at the time of first meeting, I didn't have.

When I first met Mr. Jurgens at Galaxy Con 2023, my goal was to get the Death of Superman story arc signed by him. This included the cameo appearances of Doomsday, which began as a single page at the back of the respective sereis books leading up to the event. Somehow, I missed two of these books at the time, which created a domino effect of missing them from the other two creators of the character, Louise Simonson, and Jon Bogdanove.

Dan Jurgens looking for a place to even feasibly
sign my convention book

I was able to rectify Louise Simonson earlier in 2024 at Big Lick NOVA, and while today's convention rectified Dan, I still need to track down Mr. Bogdonove again. I was hoping he would be at the show, but sadly, was not.

Also signed by Louise Simonson at
Big Lick NOVA 2024

I do hope the opportunity presents itself to get the final signature from Mr. Bogdanove on both of these in the very near future.

One of the things I noticed right off the bat at this year's convention was how pricing had gone up for a lot of people. For example, when first getting autographs from Mr. Jurgens in Richmond, he gave two signatures free, with each additional being five. This time around, pricing was very different. To make matters worse, people who were free in the past, were also now charging.

Dan Jurgens: First one free, $10.00 for each additional

Stepping to the side of Mr. Jurgens was Brett Breedings. Brett not only served as a long time inker for Dan, having worked on the Death of Superman arc with him, but also contributed to a lot of Spider-Man books. Among these were a few from the symbiote story arc. This is my primary focus of books I want to get signed by people, and I was happy for the opportunity to get the final one from Mr. Breeding autographed.

Keeping on par with getting my black suit Marvel Legends figure signed by people, I also asked him to sign that.

Brett's pricing was consistent from the first time I met him, $5.00 per issue, $10.00 if those issues were key books, and $10.00 for other items, such as toys.

Brett Breeding examining and deciding where
to sign my Marvel Legend's black suit
Spider-Man figures

Though unrelated to the symbiote, there was an additional issue I wanted to get signed by Mr. Breeding, as well as John Beatty. This was The Amazing Spider-Man 263. The black suit shown is the cloth version, gifted to Spider-Man by Black Cat.

Also signed by Jim Shooter at Big Lick
NOVA 2023, and Joseph Ruben at
Galaxy Con 2023

John Beatty was charging $10.00 per signature, which was in line with his pricing from Big Lick NOVA 2024. I also picked up a signed print from him for $20.00 then regretted it because I had to juggle it the next several hours while maneuvering the rest of the show. It was also at this point that my photography skills got spotty at best. I missed, or rather, completely forgot about taking photos, focused instead on get done, get moving, and keep moving.

With those signatures checked off, and my buddy Dave Braun waiting on line for another artist to arrive, I made my way to other tables. Problems were still on the horizon, and more price increases looming to throw me off budget. Of course, you have to check back next time for the sequel, and all the segments in this series for the whole story. I hope you do just that.

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Retro Spins: Visage - Visage

Need a fix of some very old school synth pop? Maybe you need some Visage!

Wanting to find new music to play at the club they were working at, Midge Ure and Rusty Egan began putting together their own music. Their style of music was heavily influenced by, and perhaps even contributed to the New Romantic movement originating in the United Kingdom.

The band recorded, and released their first single, Tar, in 1979, but it failed to garner any attention. However, with the aid of David Bowie, New Romantic styled music was starting to turn mainstream, and with it, more and more record labels were willing to entertain the idea of signing such acts.

Visage released their first self titled album in 1980 through Polydor, who also coincidingly released their second single, Fade To Grey. Though this wouldn't impact the United States, the song reached the top ten in many countries, even reaching number one in Germany and Switzerland.

Despite this success, it was difficult to bring the band back together to produce a follow up album. This was because the members all belonged to different bands at the time which had either just been formed, or were already established. These included Ultravox and Siouxsie and the Banshees.

Of the six members, five finally were able to coordinate in 1981, and release their second studio album, The Anvil. It became the groups best selling, reaching number six in the charts. However, tensions were building. Midge Ure summarized the troubles in 1983 interview stating, "The trouble with Visage was that there were too many chiefs, six characters all wanting an equal say without putting in an equal amount of work. I was doing most of the writing and producing, and we all knew Steve [Strange] was the frontman, but when it became successful, jealousy and the nasty side of the business crept in. That was never the way it was intended."

Several of the members would depart the group after its release, leaving only Steve Strange and Rusty Egan as the remaining original members. With all new members, they released 1984's Beat Boy. The album was a total failure. The two members were labeled as wafer thin talents by Ian Cranna of Smash Hits, who would also go on to say about the album that it was, "A cross between all-purpose Euro-disco and Queen, with excruciatingly amateurish lyrics."

While the group would disband, and a long hiatus ensued, Steven Strange would rekindle the Visage banner, and release albums in 2013 and 2015. Though neither produced any singles, they also didn't receive scathing reviews that Beat Boy did. In fact, 2013's Hearts And Knives, was stated to feel nostalgic, and great for fans.

I personally came across Visage while listening to an obscure compilation disc steeped with what were labeled as, "unknown 80's". Though I would argue this label on several of the tracks, there were a handful that fit that bill for me. Fade To Grey by Visage being one of them.

It was never my intentions to buy the album with the tune. Rather, a chance encounter at a used CD shop where I was perusing their recent acquisitions, and found the disc in that bin. Even then, as I read the band name, I said to myself, "Why does that name sound familiar?" It wasn't until flipping it over and seeing the song title that I put two and two together. Ultimately, because it was there, and relatively cheap, I decided I would grab it.

Which brings us to today.

Visage's self titled debut definitely fits the bill in sound. It's peppy, poppy, and...synthy(?). If you're looking for that classic 80's sound, you're definitely going to find it here, and perhaps that's what makes it so enjoyable.

Not by any means will I say that this album is packed from front to back with memorable or top ten hits. But, it is decent. If you have a nostalgic itch, it could definitely work as a good scratch. I personally ended up grabbing four of the nine tracks to add to my shuffle. If nothing else, it was cool to hear something different.

Do I want to dig deeper into their catalog? Not particularly. However, if I were at a place that had their other two 80's albums on CD's, and they were fairly priced, I might go ahead and grab them.

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18 And Life! Peg People Wave 18

With the dust settled on the massive box of Peg People from George of G.I. Jigsaw, it's time to take official stock of what I guess we'll call wave 18. That is, after all, the next number down the row from where we left off initially.

I thought it would be cool to post all of them together, as one massive wave. If for nothing else, it shows you the sheer volume which George produced.

And lastly we have the revised checklist. I've moved some things around, changed / updated a couple names, and expanded.

These added names / characters were included for the sake of fleshing out this entire series to all the characters who I think of / know when talking about the Marvel Universe, or cross-overs with Spider-Man. However, that's not to say that I'm asking George to go all in and keep going...I mean, he can if he wants, but I think with he above I've asked more than enough from him. Plus, I really don't know where I would put many more of them. There's a little bit of space left, but probably not this much...I mean, I would make it work.

And it all wraps up with that lovely Mystery Figure checklist.

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