Retrovision: The Light - Contrasting Strangers

 Originally released in 1985, “Contrasting Strangers” by Liverpool’s The Light is one of those forgotten gems of the British new-wave and synth-pop era, led by Brian Atherton and released after demise of Box of Toys. The accompanying animated video won the award for Best Animation in the low-budget category at the 1985 British Video Awards. 

Retrovision: The Lotus Eaters - It Hurts

Released in February 1985, “It Hurts” was the final single (in the 80s) from Liverpool sophisti-pop duo The Lotus Eaters. By then, singer Peter Coyle and guitarist Jem Kelly were already heading in different creative directions, and the band would soon part ways with Arista and effectively disappear. Its striking monochrome video, built around footage of silent-film icon Louise Brooks, almost feels like a farewell. Coyle conceived the video’s winning storyboard, while Kelly reportedly reacted to its rejection by performing his parts during the shoot with a blindfold over his eyes.

 

Retrovision: Colonel Abrams - Trapped

 Colonel Abrams released "Trapped" forty years a ago in Octotber 1985. The blend of R'n'B and early hours made this his signature tune and a pioneer of the mid-’80s club scene. The song was featured on his debut album of the same name.

Instant Hit: Primary Colours - Paint Love Blue

Primary Colours was a short-lived American synthpop/new wave duo active from 1984 to 1988, comprising Jim Demain and Jeanette. They released one EP titled "Paint Love Blue" and debuted in 1985 under After Hours Records. This 12" vinyl EP features five tracks, including both single and extended versions of the title track. The records blends shimmering synth textures with melancholic melodies, evoking the emotional depth of early '80s New Wave.

 

Retrovision: Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy - 'Kiss Me

Stephen "Tin Tin" Duffy released his second single, "Kiss Me" in 1985. The song was originally recorded by his band Tin Tin within the 24 hours, but failed to make any chart impact. This melodic  synth pop tune was among the last songs of this genre, before it was declining and transforming into Dance pop.

 

Instant Hit: Lorenzo and Marconny - Devojka iz Tokija

"Devojka iz Tokija" was one of the few releases by Dejan Spasić, who recorded under the name Lorenzo and Marconny or just Marconny. Released in 1985, and featured on their eponymous debut album that followed a year later, it is a prime and rare example of the Yugoslavian New Wave sound.

 

Retrovision: Felt - Primitive Painters

Felt released "Primitive Painters" in 1985, which became their signature tune. The track features Elisabeth Fraser of Cocteau Twins on backing vocals and was included on Felt's third studio album, Ignite the Seven Cannons.

 

Instant Hit: Katy Gray - Hold Me Tight

"Hold Me Tight" was released by Katy Gray  in 1985 and there is quite a veil of mystery to the singer's identity and rumours that claim that she was tragically killed by a disco ball in 1987. The lady on the cover artwork is believed to be Monica Stucci. Katy Gray never released another single and this certainly remains as an italo-disco tune of the highest calibre.

 

Retrovision: Scritti Politti - Absolute

"Absolute" was one of the lead tracks taken from Scritti Polittis's second album Cupid & Psyche '85, released in June 1985. This song and the video however were released a year before and the video for the song was directed by John Scarlett-Davies.

Retrovision: Stephen Duffy - Icing on a Cake

Duran Duran's original singer Stephen Duffy released his third single "Icing on the Cake" in May 1985. It is an example of typical sophistical pop of the 80's set in a very stylistic spot. The song was also featured on his debut The Ups and Downs released in the same year.

Instant Hit: Clockwork Orange- Sensation Boys

Clockwork Orange was a short-lived Norwegian synth-pop group that emerged in the 1980s, releasing only a single during their brief existence. Titled "Sensation Boys," it debuted on Temptation Records in 1985. Despite its likely underground status at the time and its dark tone, it had the potential to resonate with both underground and mainstream audiences. Today, it remains emblematic of its genre's standards. In 2015, the song was reissued as a single under the title "The Last Sensation," featuring a 1984 demo alongside a new remix version of the track.

Retrovision: Eurythmics- It's Alright

"It's Alright" was the final release for Eurythmics from the album 'Be Yourself Tonight' released in 1985. The song managed to chart in the UK during March 1986 so this is the 30th anniversary for the song release. Sadly the song did not have big impact on the US charts. The song's music video, directed by Willy Smax, was a combination of live shots with computer animation, an innovative look for a music video in the mid 1980s.

 

Retrovision: Propaganda- Duel

"Duel" was one of the most successful single released for the German band Propaganda which was released 30 years ago. The song was taken from their debut album 'A Secret Wish' which was released through ZTT. The song reached #21 which brought them their only appearance on TotP. The song was covered by Sophie Ellis Baxtor in 2007. 

Best of 1985 - Top 50 Singles List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band-Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 

Among the best-selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms, which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best-selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 

With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.

01. Kate Bush - Running Up That Hill 
02. The Smiths - How Soon is Now? 
03. Pet Shop Boys - West End Girls 

04. The Cult - She Sells Sanctuary 
05. Depeche Mode - Shake the Disease 
06. Killing Joke - Love Like Blood 
07. Simple Minds - Don't You (Forget About Me) 
08. New Order - The Perfect Kiss 
09. The Cure - Close to Me 
10. Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It 
11. a-ha - The Sun Always Shine on TV

12. Grace Jones - Slave to the Rhythm
13. The Cure - In Between Days
14. Echo & The Bunnymen- Bring on the Dancing Horses
15. Jesus and The Mary Chain - Just Like Honey
16. Tears for Fears - Everybody Wants to Rule The World
17. Madonna - Into the Groove
18. Siouxsie and the Banshees - Cities in Dust
19. King - Love and Pride
20. David Bowie and Pat Metheny Group - This is not America

Retrovision: Kirlian Camera- Blue Room

"Blue Room" was released thirty years ago and it was the only single release for them in 1985. In the second half of the 80's decade the sound of Kirlian Camera became gradually darker, moving away from the synth pop sound that marked some of their early releases. Not sure who directed the video for the song, but it prefectly refelcts the really anxious, claustrophobic and emotionally exciting atmosphere of the song. Kirlian Camera is still pretty active in music and two year ago they released a brand new studio album with the new line up. 

Retroviosion: Thomas Leer- Heartbeat

 Thirt years ago Thomas Leer released his single "Heartbeat", which was also a last single for him as a solo artist. The song was taken from Leer's third album 'The Scale of Ten'. He later joined Claudia Brücken from Propaganda to record an album under The Act moniker. Thomas Leer is best know for his debut single "Private Plane" which was one of the first experimental DIY minimal-synth songs that was released by a solo artist and recorded in his home. After several years outside the music world, Leer returned in 2001 with a new album and since then he is musically active.

Retrovision: Marc Almond- Stories of Johnny -Live-

"Stories of Johnny" was one of the lead tracks on the album of the same name which was relesed in 1985. This prefomance on Wogan in 1985 gave a whole new dimension to the song with boy choir and wonderful backing vocals.

 

Best of 1985- The Album List

The year 1985 was the year of big charity concerts and records. Following up on the release of "Do They Know It’s Christmas Time" from 1984, the big Live Aid concert was organised by Bob Geldof and Midge Ure to raise funds for relief of the ongoing Ethiopian famine. The event was held simultaneously at Wembley Stadium in London, UK, and John F. Kennedy Stadium in Philadelphia, US. Also inspired by Band Aid, USA for Africa band project released "We Are the World", a song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie. 

Among the best selling albums this year was Dire Straits’ album Brothers in Arms which at the same time was the first ever album to be released on CD. Jennifer Rush had the best selling single in the UK with "The Power of Love" while in the USA, Madonna and George Michael both solo and with Wham! ruled the charts. 

With 1985 New Wave completely faded, knocked out by guitar-driven rock most notably by the Jangle rock which in this period of time was popularized as College rock with R.E.M. and The Smiths paving the way. On the other hand, Electronic music was transforming into new rhythms with the emerging Chicago house and Detroit techno that would give hits in the years to come.

Retrovision: Humpe & Humpe- Ya-Ma-Ha

The duo Humpe & Humpe already had a prominent music history in Germany before forming Humpe & Humpe in 1985. Humpe & Humpe were Annette and Inga Humpe who wrote and produced most of the songs released on two albums in two years time. This is a thirty years anniversary of their second single "Ya-ma-ha" which was a an imitation of Japanese song with some Asian-style and Lyrics composed of a variety of Japanese brand names.

It's like, It's 1985

Happy New Year everyone. We are back on the track and hope that 2015 will be another great year in music. We will continue with the Dimension Gondry and are looking forward to new artists, great videos and exciting interviews. As you are already know every year we celebrate a 30 years anniversary from a particular year in our favorite decade. This year we will go back to 1985. Stick around for the album list poll coming soon. Meanwhile, a par excellence art pop from 1985.