FRA LIPPO LIPPI - Songs

Fra Lippo Lippi was  a strange band in the '80 scene. I consider their music  as " romantic atmosphere" probably because I associate their music to "romantic" periods or relaxed times.
They came from Norway but the sound has something of  "Latin". The had a brief success period with some hits in 85-87. This wok "Songs" was released on the international market in 1985 but songs were already known on the domestic market since few years.

http://www.mediafire.com/?uanfzld6tk95twb

STATE OF ART - At Work

"State of Art"  was part of  the '80 Italian New Wave (Milan area). I saw my friend Andrea (State of Art member ) few months ago in occasion of the   WIRE concert (see post 24 Feb 2011 on this blog).  Andrea gave  me  some new tracks from  "State of Art" to listen for. I really appreciate  that tracks !!. The style is  different (of course ) form the '80 sound  (listen to "Gathered" italian new wave compilation); the sound is now  more funky,  more dance, more rythm, more...!!
My favourite track is "make it work". It is  an irresistible dance-hit   and in the meantime the  memory goes back to the original  models: "A Certain Ratio", Rip Rig& Panic, Talking Heads and... why not ABC.
Finally the new album of State of Art in on the market. "At work" is the title and it is on  itunes.
Here are some links with example of their music and some fanzines review

MAKE IT WORK = http://www.youtube.com/user/edizioniishtar  

You can also see the previous works:
http://www.spittlerecords.it/index.html#28

http://www.technodisco.it/musica/5306620-state-of-art-venice/
 

                                        

BLANCMANGE - Happy Families

"Blancmange" This duo  was part of the synthpop movement in the '80. They only produce three Lp  in the period '82-'85 (this was the first one) before they decided to close the adventure to take different ways.
In Europe they had quite good success also if not comparable with other Synth-band of the period like Depeche Mode and Soft Cell. Their music with obsessive refrain  can be consider  as a first stage  of  Techno music !!!

 Happy Families: http://www.mediafire.com/?12wr2hu260qawa3

SIMPLE MINDS - Empires and Dance

 Simple Minds is a well known name in the music world. This was their third album and it was my first contact with their music. I loved them in the '80 and '90, then I stay for a long time without listen to their music; now, writing this post, I'm listening to some old work like "sons and fashination" and it is  a good feeling again.

I saw Simple Minds first time live in Milan (it was 1983) and then again in piazza Grande at Locarno (1986 great concert!!!)
ENJOY:
http://www.mediafire.com/?fna3lnag4v47401

V,A, BE A CAVEMAN (Voxx Garage revival)

This is a Good compilation of revival '60/garage. Some tracks previous released on vynil (from '79 to '90), There are famous groups like  Plan 9, Fuzztones, Gravedigger V etc.
Voxx project (2000) give a real picture of the ' 80  garage/california sound of the period.
P.S.  in the note you can see that cover art is by Rudi Protrudi  (quality is guarantee).

 ENJOY:http://www.mediafire.com/?wj6vw6sio8y6ftw

EVERYTHING BUT THE GIRL - Acoustic

I consider Tracey Thorn voice one of the "great voices" in my music world. Everything But The Girl was a strange element in the '80-'90 years music. Somebody classify their music in the "cool-jazz-pop" that means all and nothing. This album (1995 ) contain some classic tracks with the wonderful voice instrument of Tracey.

http://www.mediafire.com/?1y296mpr49kg736

THE OLD AND THE NEW (just a consideration)

I'm wondering why if I think to new album or CD  in 2011 I have on the top of my list names like:
-Wire (Red Barkled trees)
-Peter Murphy (ninth)
-Red Hot Chili Peppers (I' m with you)

and only after names like:
- Kaiser Chiefs (The world is medieval)
-Arctic Monkeys (Such it and see)
-Radiohead (The king of limbs)

The answer would be that I'm old and I like old sounds or ....another possibiliy is that really there is a quality gap between the "old" bands and the "new" ones........
Anyone is  free to add his own opinion on this!!

HOODOO GURUS - Stoneage Romeo

Hoodoo Gurus was (is) one of the milestone of Australian wave of '80.
 They produced several albums with high level music. "Stoneage Romeo" is one of these. Still in activity (I have notice of a new album  and new tour). They are in the list of my favourites for the Aussie area.



http://www.mediafire.com/?c18phccekdlodco

ABC - The Lexicon of Love

It's Summertime and then here is  a post with the right "easy" music. In 1982 ABC release this LP; they were border line between dance-music, new wave, commercial, electronic.  Also today it is not easy to classify their music but one thing is really clear....it was a wonderful LP for that time (not so bad also today).
Enjoy your holidays.

http://www.mediafire.com/?q6blgdpy436r9dh

B -52's - Wild Planet

B-52's introduces an original style in the music of '80. It was a mix of '60 revival with techno influences and a little bit of  crazy humor (I like to compare B-52's to an easy version of DEVO).


The rythm of their music was irresistible and  it was impossible  not to move (dance) on their songs. i think they gave a big contribute to '80s music.

http://www.mediafire.com/?7j7us7c71m8louc