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Eighties Elton

by 12 Comments

As part of my research on an eighties music podcast I am doing I have been enjoying this time period in the career of Sir Reginald of Dwight.

It is an admittedly mixed bag with a few surprising gems mixed in. What is the consensus on this forgotten decade (by no less than the man himself – he barely does any numbers live from this time)?

There is a case to be made that this period is underrated in the same way his heyday seventies are a smidgen maybe overrated? Thoughts?

Here is a gem to start with (lyrics by no less than Tom Robinson)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s90gjvDSJhY

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/elton-john-part-1-1980-1982/id1486104117?i=1000455833451

The 45 Minute Album Limit

by 95 Comments

Theory: No album should (or needs to) exceed a 45 minute length limit.

There is no example you give where a little judicious pruning (of song or song length) would not improve said LP.

Even my favourite album of all time, Abbey Road, would be improved by snipping out Sun King(therefore moving straight from You Never Give Me Your Money into Mean Mr Mustard)

Other examples;

A Rush Of Blood To The Head – Coldplay (lose A Whisper and Amsterdam)

Tunnel of Love – Bruce Springsteen (lose When You’re Alone)

Like a Prayer – Madonna (lose Act of Contrition and Keep It Together)

Listen Without Prejudice Vol 2 – George Michael (lose Soul Free)

Editing even made Be Here Now into a passable 9 track 44 minute album…

* incidentally, hugely recommend Mark Lewisohn’s “Hornsey Road” talk doing the rounds. Made me appreciate my favourite album even more. The Isolated John/Paul I Want You vocals were phenomenal.

Modern Music for 80s Nerd

by 67 Comments

Very much an eighties child who also very much finds 98% of modern music leaves me cold with its pro-tooled, digital-sheened, auto-tuned, millennial-whoopy cynical generic blandness.

Can anyone recommend any millennial acts/songs that would please a lover of eighties music? I tried Hot Chip (after reading they would fit the remit) and they left me cold. Any suggestions? Cheers!