Empty Glass, Pete Townshend

Empty Glass, Pete Townshend, 1980, :40

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

I have known about this album since seeing it in a Rolling Stone list of best albums of the 1980s, but never got around to listening to it.  That ends today!  I was surprised to find some rather unambiguous homoerotic undertones in a few of the songs, particularly "Rough Boys."  The title song sound very much like a lost Who song.  All told, it's a very intriguing and rewarding collection by a master songwriter.  Favorite tracks: "Let My Love Open the Door," "Rough Boys," "Keep On Working," "A Little Is Enough."

American Music, the Blasters

American Music, the Blasters, 1980, :46

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

Rockabilly, old-style and pure. The six originals seamlessly blend with several covers from the '50s.  While I like this style of music just fine, a little goes a long way. This setlist of nineteen (including several bonus tracks released later) short, fast, rollicking songs would make a great set from a bar band but it's only a decent album. After a while the Bill Haley yowl and the rattletrap percussion all starts to sound the same. Favorite tracks: "Marie Marie," the covers "Barefoot Rock" and "Crazy Baby."

The Game, Queen

Continuing the alphabet of albums, G is for glam rock.

The Game, Queen, 1980, :35

★ ★ ★ ★ ☆ 

This is an interesting album. The first five tracks by themselves would make one of the best rock EPs ever. The last half… doesn't live up to the promise of the first.  They're not bad songs, just to be tolerated among such greats as the opening tracks.  Contemporary critics were not impressed with this album upon its first release, but it's really hard to see what they could have objected to.  Minor carps, at best.  "Rock It (Jive)" sounds like a bad Rod Stewart imitation. "Don't Try Suicide" is a very noble sentiment but with an earnest, literal delivery that comes off as goofy.  Favorite tracks: what a lineup!  "Play the Game," "Another One Bites the Dust," "Crazy Little Thing Called Love," "Need Your Loving Tonight."

One Trick Pony, Paul Simon

Currently doing one album for each year, 1960-2020. Today: 1980.

One Trick Pony, Paul Simon, 1980, :38

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I'm a big Paul Simon fan from way back. I have most of his albums and have seen him in concert at least twice. I never got around to this one, a soundtrack album for a a film that Simon also starred in. It's new to me except for the Afro-Cuban-tinged hit "Late in the Evening."  Sadly, aside from that first terrific single, I was disappointed.  I hate to give a musical titan like Paul Simon only three stars, but this is a pretty somnolent affair.  The reissue of this album includes the funky "Stranded in a Limousine," which made it on his earlier Greatest Hits, Etc. album; it would improved One-Trick Pony.  Favorite track: "Late in the Evening," the duet "Ace in the Hole."

Boy, U2

It's Finally-Got-Around-to-It-Friday!  Wherein I discover a classic that everyone else already knows about.

Boy, U2, 1980, :42

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆ 

I've never been much of a U2 fan.  I think their best album is Achtung Baby, and not much else interests me.  I was sort of too good for U2 in the late '80s because they were too recent for me.  They were that worst of things, a band that was still making music and was popular.  I listened to classic rock, man.  You trendy modern-day listeners and your pop music didn't know what was up.  So, yeah, that youthful misplaced pride might explain it.  But whatever the reason, this stuff just doesn't move me.  There's nothing here that would make me think these vehement, earnest, technically proficient, glossily-produced lads would become The World's Greatest Band any more than their contemporaries Big Country or The Alarm might.  The way Bono breathes "she cat" on "An Cat Dubh" really exemplifies how this band makes me roll my eyes more than nod along in admiration.  It's so... Intense and Important.  Not for me.  Favorite tracks: "I Will Follow," "Out of Control."

Sound Affects, the Jam / Sillion, Johnny Flynn

Sound Affects, The Jam, 1980, :35 

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I'm pretty familiar with the Jam.  I wasn't moved by this album, although I certainly recognize the greatness.  Maybe this one is just too experimental for me.  For example, "Music for the Last Couple" starts with some not unpleasant noises, then about 40 seconds of silence, then a pretty good song.  Why?  Favorite tracks: "That's Entertainment," "Start!"

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Sillion, Johnny Flynn, 2017, :45 

★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆

I'm a huge fan of Flynn's masterwork, Alarum.  In comparison this one is kind of sleepy.  The problem is probably me.  This is an introspective, literate album.  It doesn't do to come to a conclusion after one quick listen.  But at an album or two a day, that's all I can give it for now.  Favorite Tracks: "In the Deepest," "Tarp in the Prop."