My brother went to Japan.
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Retro Spins: Yaz - You And Me Both
Truthfully, this post is two fold. First and foremost, to finally listen to the final Yaz album. The second, to segue tomorrow into the full 80's discography of Erasure.
By the time recording commenced for what would become Yaz's second, and final album, the duo already knew it was at an end. Founding member, Vince Clarke never envisioned the project to be long term, and siting boredom, was ready to move on after the release of their highly successful debut. However, having done the same with Depeche Mode, his publisher urged him not to do it again.
While Alison Moyet would go on to have a successful solo career, it wouldn't be without first trying to convince Clarke to stay together. Declining, Clarke would instead form the short lived, The Assembly, releasing one single, 1983's Never Never. He would then go on to form Erasure with Andy Bell. More on that starting tomorrow.
During the sessions, both Moyet and Clarke couldn't have been on any further opposite spectrum then they already were. They barely spoke, with Clarke laying music during the evenings, and Moyet coming in behind him to put her vocals in place. Further, while the singer was more so accustomed to spontaneous sessions created on the fly, the instrumentalist was more so planning every step of what would become the album, but mostly by himself. Moyet also found contention with Clarke when he left her to all promotional appearances alone, with Clarke favoring to continue working on the album instead.
Basically, the writing was on the wall for Yaz. The two were focused on very different things, resulting in a lack of collaboration. The two would officially split weeks before the album's release.
Despite this, upon its release, You And Me Both was received mostly favorably. While critics provided mixed reviews, fans felt Yaz were at the top of their game, and disheartened at the news of their disbandment.
I admittedly wasn't expecting much with You And Me Both, and was pleasantly surprised with the first four tracks. Nobody's Diary, Softly Over, Sweet Thing, and Mr. Blue, were all fantastic songs, worthy of the ol' shuffle list.
Things subsided for a couple tracks, but then caught my attention again with the very unique sounding Ode To Boy. Frankly, I still don't know if I like the song, or if I was just intrigued by its weird sound. I also somewhat dug State Farm.
Overall, it was an enjoyable synth pop listening session. It's right in that sweet spot of solid 1983 sounds, and this perhaps helps it work all the more. Or perhaps, Moyet and Clarke simply had a spark that everyone but them seemed to see and feel. Maybe together they were just that amazing. Whatever the reason, I liked it, and it is a shame that the two went their separate ways. It definitely would have been worthwhile to see what they could have come up with if they stuck it out.
In 2007 Moyet had finished her most recent solo album, and reached out to Clarke asking if he would consider a series of reunion shows. At first, he declined, stating it would be disloyal to Erasure, and co-member Andy Bell. However, when Bell stated shortly thereafter that he wanted to take a break, Clarke reconsidered. While he felt it was appropriate to ask Bell first how he felt about him returning to Yaz, the only response he got was a request for tickets. In 2008, the two embarked on the "Reconnected Tour".
While Alison has since returned to her solo career, and Vince to Erasure, it's wonderful to know that we all got another taste of Yaz, and if nothing else, the two got the chance to finally promote You And Me Both properly with live shows. They performed together again in 2011 prior to an Erasure show. However, Moyet stated after that she felt it was most likely the last time the two would ever perform together again. Not because of any animosity. Rather, it was just their last time out as a duo. But, who knows. "Things change" - The Penguin, Batman Returns.
Check out a bit of unique music history, when Clarke sat down with prior Depeche Mode band mate, David Gahan, to talk about what he's been up to. While the two seem genuinely interested in talking, the host of the show, perhaps craving attention, really gums it all up.
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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.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 29, 1984 |
Comics Corner: Ka-Zar The Savage 24
Title: Ka-Zar The Savage
Issue Number: 24
Release Date: March 1983
Highlights
- First appearance of Ruga
- Reference is made to Ka-Zar 22
- Nice of the story to finally inform the reader that Shanna was shot with a dart by Dr. Cortland, and not a bullet
- The dart is making her slowly go insane
- Ka-Zar defeats Shrieber, and then blows up his bunker, ensuring A.I.M. doesn't get the formula to create explosives from the Ickitari plant
- Really getting bored of reading Ka-Zar just to get Spider-Man's full story
Oddities
- None
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)
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Retro Spins: AC/DC - Blow Up Your Video
Today I make my way though the final 80's studio album from AC/DC, 1988's Blow Up Your Video. It's been a journey of hope, one where I wanted to like the band more than I ultimately did. However, it's also not been a total loss, nor disappointing. As a whole, AC/DC is okay. They're just not mind blowing.
Sessions for the album began in October 1987, and when completed in September, the band had sixteen songs, which they whittled down to ten for the album. It would become the last album which Brian Johnson would contribute to writing on, with all future songs being written strictly by Angus and Malcom Young. While no official explanation has been given, fans state Johnson was going through a divorce at the time writing for 1990's The Razor Edge began, and simply withdrew from the process, not returning to it since.
During the recording sessions, it was also become apparent to those around brother Malcom Young that he had a problem with alcoholism. While he'd make it through the production, he'd ultimately withdraw briefly from the supporting tour to seek help. He was temporarily replaced during the US leg by nephew Stevie Young.
Feeling restricted creatively, drummer Simon Wright would also leave the band in 1989. He'd go on to work with Dio on his 1990 album, as well as several in the 2000's. During this time, as well as after, he would also go on to work with UFO, Geoff Tate's Queensrÿche, Rhino Bucket, and more. Chris Slade would take his place in AC/DC. More on this below.
As for the album itself, there were some standout tracks, which included, Heatseeker, Nick Of Time, and Two's Up. What I particularly noticed, with exception of the latter, is that the band seems to perform well when writing and performing versus. However, when the choruses come into play, this is where things fall apart, at least for me. They just don't payoff the hooks that are building, and I think this is more so lyrically then instrumental wise.
It was a decent album, and a fine way to close out the year, though not spectacular by any stretch of the imagination. At the end of my journey do I like AC/DC? Yeah, they're okay. I wouldn't write them off as a flash in the pants band, but at the same time, I wouldn't personally categorize them as a legacy band, despite their endurance and contributions to rock and roll.
AC/DC would see a resurgence in 1990 with their next album, The Razor's Edge, which featured the massive hit, Thunderstruck. They'd continue to ride this wave into 1993 with the single, Big Gun, from the Arnold Schwarzenegger film, The Last Action Hero.
As work began on what would become 1995's Ballbreaker, newest member, Chris Slade would receive an unceremonious call from Malcom Young informing him that the band wanted to try a reunion with prior member Phil Rudd. While Young told him he'd like to keep Slade on the sideline as a backup if things didn't work out with Rudd, the drummer refused. Despite this, there was no animosity, or hard feelings.
With the new / old lineup of Brian Johnson, Phil Rudd, Cliff Williams, and the Young Brothers, the band would return to the studio for the next several years to release the aforementioned Ballbreaker, 2000's Stiff Upper Lip, 2008's Black Ice, and 2014's Rock Or Bust. During this time, AC/DC remained multi-platinum sellers, and continued to chart singles.
By 2014, Malcom Young was suffering with dementia, and ultimately needed to retire from music and the band. He was replaced by nephew Stevie once again. In 2015, Phil Rudd ran into legal troubles, which resulted in him being placed under house arrest. While Chris Slade would return to drums for the tours which followed, by 2020 he was once again sidelined when Rudd returned for the release of AC/DC's latest album to date, Power Up. While they've continued to tour, no word has been mentioned of any new studio albums in the works.
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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 September 28, 1985 |
Comics Corner: Ka-Zar The Savage 23
Title: Ka-Zar The Savage
Issue Number: 23
Release Date: February 1983
Highlights
- First appearance of Drake Previn, Roescher, and Freidrick
- First appearance and death of Laslo Victor, and Vobo
- First appearance of Rick's Bar, and the Ickitari plant
- Ka-Zar and Zabu are alive, and in Casablanca
- Ka-Zar is being controlled by an unknown person, who sends electronic shocks through him when he wants Ka-Zar to act
- Ramona (real last name, Starr) reveals she's an agent of A.I.M., and they're using Ka-Zar as muscle
- Ramona reveals in a thought bubble that their efforts to keep Ka-Zar will only work for another few days
- Ramona rapes Ka-Zar
- I'm getting bored with Ka-Zar
Oddities
- Shanna was shot in the last issue, but now only has a bang on her head from hitting it on something
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)
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Retro Spins: AC/DC - Fly On The Wall
Oh, AC/DC. How you disappoint me. I really wanted to be a fan at this point in their discography. However, I keep getting delivered mediocrity, which is simply unacceptable from a legacy band. At this point, I'm more so trying to figure out what all the hubbub is about. At the same time, I'm also hopeful that with two more studio albums left to go that they'll change my mind.
Prior to the release of 1985's Fly On The Wall, Atlantic Records put together the EP, '74 Jailbreak. The album consisted of four tracks originally released on the Australian version of the bands 1974 debut, High Voltage, as well as the title track, which only appeared on the Australian version of their 1976 album, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap. All of the songs featured the lineup of the time in which they were recorded.
Fly On The Wall, itself, continued a steady decline in popularity for AC/DC upon its release. Oddly, this was not necessarily translated over to album sales, which continued to reach platinum accreditation on the ARIA. Critically, the album was panned, not only for the music itself, but the quality of the mixing. Many critics compared it to nothing short of AC/DC being a tribute band to AC/DC. A band trying to hard to stay relevant among the thrash metal and hair band scene.
I suppose that's the best segue into the album that I can give. Overall, it's a difficult album to listen to, and this all comes back to what's noted above. The mixing of the vocals is simply too low. I can't make out a single word being sung. Mind you, I was listening to it with headphones on, so all the sound was literally going directly to my ears. It's still incoherent.
Frankly, there's not much more I can say about it. I can't hear most of it to actually critique it. I suppose out of it all, the song Danger did stand out for me.
Further controversy marred Fly On The Wall, and the band as a whole, when serial killer Richard Ramirez was arrested in August 1985. Ramirez told police the "Night Prowler" from 1979's Highway to Hell had driven him to commit murder. Police also claimed that Ramirez was wearing an AC/DC shirt and left an AC/DC hat at one of the crime scenes. The media pounced on the opportunity, claiming the bands name was actually an acronym for Anti-Christ, Devil's Child, and used all the fuel they could get to slander the band with wild accusations.
The following year, the band released the soundtrack to Maximum Overdrive, titling it Who Made Who. It consisted mostly of songs taken from prior albums, but don't call it a greatest hits. AC/DC doesn't believe in releasing those, stating it's lazy, and a cash grab. The album contains the new single, Who Made Who, as well as instrumental tracks, D.T., and Chase The Ace. The remaining six songs come from Back In Black, Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap, Fly On The Wall, and For Those About To Rock We Salute You. Though the film was critically panned, the title track of the album managed to be the highest hit for the band that year, reaching the top ten in Australia, and peaking at 16 in the UK. It also reached number two in Hit Parader magazine on their Best Songs Of 1986 poll.
However, it would be two more years before AC/DC would return to the studio for their final album of the decade, 1988's Blow Up Your Video. We'll wrap that one up tomorrow.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 27, 1980 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 27, 1986 |
Comics Corner: Kazar The Savage 22
Title: Ka-Zar The Savage
Issue Number: 22
Release Date: January 1983
Highlights
- The story picks up after Ka-Zar's death, and Peter Parker is escorting Shanna to the funeral home where she's seeing Ka-Zar's headstone being made
- Ramona Cortland shoots Zabu, and Shanna is told he is dead
- Shanna Sneaks into the Cortland's home to kill Ramona, but finds instead someone disguised as her - It's a trap
- Dr. Cortland shoots Shanna
- If we're saying this issue chronologically comes after Peter Parker, The Spectacular Spider-Man 74 - 76, then it doesn't make sense that Peter is spending so much time with Shanna, and even lets her kiss him - He's smitten with Black Cat, who's also laid up in a hospital bed
- I'll admit the last few issues of Ka-Zar were okay, but I didn't want to have to read so many of them as part of Spider-Man's story arc - There are another five to go after this one
Oddities
- None
Rating (based on a 1 through 5 Stans grading system)
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Retro Spins: AC/DC - Flick Of The Switch
When I last left AC/DC, with their bloated album title, For Those About To Rock We Salute You, I wasn't necessarily blown away. The album was mediocre at best, and lacked anything really worth adding to my shuffle list.
Still invested, I turned my sights to 1983's Flick Of The Switch. However, my excitement level quickly dropped as I continued reading up on the band's history. Let's just say, Flick didn't necessarily turn any heads. Critical reviews considered the album to be underdeveloped and unmemorable, while one critic even stated that they "had made the same album nine times". Guns For Hire would be the only song to reach the Billboard Hot 100, and it would stall at number eighty-four.
Further, the band's own label hated the album art. While the brothers wanted to feature an embossed finish, much like their Back In Black release, the label refused, stating there were no hits on the album worth investing the money in.
While recording the album, tensions between Malcom Young and Phil Rudd would reach a boiling point, resulting in a physical altercation. The result was Rudd being fired, replaced by Simon Wright, selected among the seven hundred individuals who auditioned. Though Wright would appear in the multiple promotional music videos for the album, he doesn't appear to have actually recorded any of the music for it.
The lineup of Johnson, Williams, Wright, and the Young brothers would finish out the decade with 1985's Fly On The Wall, and 1988's Blow Up Your Video. However, before we get to those latter two, we first need to take a pause, and actually play through Flick of The Switch. Just based on the history alone, it's not off to a good start.
As Rising Power kicked off, I was surprised to find my head bobbing, and my toes tapping. Admittedly, it made me feel the critics might have been wrong about this one, and even shifted my overall mood about it.
The energy of Flick Of The Switch stayed high, with thunderous drums, screeching vocals, and edgy guitars. However, I did ultimately see what the critics, and even the label were talking about. No hits. By track five, I couldn't even have told you how any of the songs went, to and include the first, which initially had me rethinking my opinion.
Overall, I think I'm with the critics on this one. It's decent, but it's been done before. There are no hits, and no hooks to really keep you invested. It's a solid rock album though. Tracks, Rising Power, Deep In The Hole, Bedlam In Belgium are adequate, but nothing to really write home about. They'll probably make their way to my shuffle list, where they'll inevitably be skipped for the remainder of all eternity when they come around.
In continuing my reading of AC/DC, it appears that 1985's Fly On The Wall fared no better critically, so I'd be lying if I said I had high hopes at this point. Mind you, I don't hate what I've been hearing. I guess I was just hoping that I'd become a fan of the band, which simply isn't happening. Well, they've got two more albums to prove me wrong. Three, if you count their 1986 soundtrack to Maximum Overdrive. But, we'll get into all of that next time.
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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.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 26, 1981 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS September 26, 1987 |
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