The Killers premiered the second video for the song "My Own Soul's Warning" which premiered on August 20th on YouTube. Their brand new studio album Imploding the Mirage was officially released a day after. This new video for My Own Soul's Warning was directed by Michael Hill.
Born out of the ashes of their first band the Tourists, Annie Lennox and Dave Stewart soon went on to explore new grounds with music which laid the foundation for Eurythmics. With their creative rebirth however the success was not instant, moreover with the release of their debut album, In the Garden, Dave and Annie used the opportunities to transform their post break up emotions into sounds and experimented with new instruments and sound patterns.
With the release of the single “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” the international breakthrough was kicking in and Eurythmics were among the top selling artists in the world. Where their music was not striking enough, their visual image was pretty much eye-catching and the music video revolution and in particular Annie Lennox's sharp looks and transformations certainly contributed to the overall popularity of the duo. Certainly her most authentic role on display was the gender bending and androgyny image which made her iconic. But, this was only a start and throughout their career she continued to transform herself and that has certainly been a roller-coaster ride of roles, characters, dresses and a real wig parade. She was part drag king, part drag queen and definitely a unique artist. Not to underestimate Dave Stewart contribution, he jumped in and out of roles too, but he was the man behind the music and the Eurythmics' sound engineer.
With the years passing, Eurythmic's music also changed, adopting new instruments and music styles and also becoming more a band profile, most notably with the release of their albums Be Yourself Tonight and Revenge. By the end of the decade, it seemed that the duo was exhausted with ideas by having released 8 studio albums in the 80's and it seems as they needed some space and time apart.
In the early 90's, both felt like going for their own music projects; Annie Lennox pursued a successful solo career and released her debut album Diva in 1992 while Dave Stewart continued to work as an established producer, not only in the domain of music, but also Film and television. Eurythmics however never officially split and in 1999 they reunited for one final album called Peace and went on a tour to promote it.
Image courtesy of zimbio.com
Overall Eurythmics released eight studio albums, 33 singles and 37 videos and it is estimated that the band sold around 75 Million records worldwide. The duo have won an MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist in 1984, the Grammy Award for Best Rock Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1987, the Brit Award for Outstanding Contribution to Music in 1999, and in 2005 were inducted into the UK Music Hall of Fame.
Below is the selection of 7 tracks, by personal preference with the aim to encompass the whole artist career.
Never Gonna Cry Again
“Never Gonna Cry Again” comes from the highly experimental period when the duo was still under the influence of their former band, the Tourists. The song was released in May 1981 and it was taken from their debut album In the Garden. This album was produced by Conny Plank and this certainly had contributed to the overall atmosphere on the record. Unlike the commercial sound we would hear in the years to come, this was art pop, drenched in synths and garnished with dreamy, ethereal vocals. It even included rare moments where Lennox was playing flute.“Never Gonna Cry Again” did not reach a wider audience and the video for the song was never commercially available, but it remains as one of the finest Eurythmic's releases.
Love is a Stranger
“Love is a Danger” was the fifth single release for Eurythmics and the first one that was taken from the second album Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These). The song was not a success upon the initial release, but after “Sweet Dreams..” became an international hit, the duo decided to re-release it. In this danger of obsession episode, Lennox androgynous image and brilliant theatrics came out for the first time in this video causing a slight controversy in the USA. The song itself was a dark synth enchantment, intense enough to capture the essence and coldness of the emotional heart break the duo was still going through after the early 80’s breakup.
Sweet Dreams (Are Made of These)
In 1983, Eurythmics released their most successful single to date which became an international hit everywhere in the world. Musically the song was very addictive with the booming synth lead and catchy tense chorus whose lyrics were also written after Dave and Annie’s breakup. As innovative as it was on the musical end, Eurythmics visual image and in particular that of Annie Lennox caused stir with her androgynous visual image, close-cropped, orange hair dressed in man’s suit. And this was not the only weird thing about the music video. “Sweet Dreams..” went three times Platinum and three times Gold and is still pretty much appreciated by the music community and it is certainly Eurythmics’ signature song.
Who’s That Girl
After the success of “Sweet Dreams” Eurythmics were on a roll, and they continued to enjoy their momentum with the smoky, icy and synth single “Who’s That Girl” taken from their third album The Touch. This music video saw Lennox's appearing as nightclub singer with a whole variety of guest stars including Cheryl Baker and Jay Aston of Bucks Fizz, Kiki Dee, Hazel O'Connor, Kate Garner of Haysi Fantayzee, the gender-bending pop star Marilyn and all members of Bananarama including Dave Stewart’s future wife Siobhan Fahey. The song became a huge hit both in Europe and the USA.
Thorn in My Side
Towards the second half of the decade Eurythmics moved more towards band style and AOR pop/rock sound compared to earlier synthopop song arrangements. “Thorn in My Side” was just one example of this change in sound and the song was strongly affected by Annie Lennox divorce. It was released in 1986 and it was taken from their fifth studio album Revenge. “Thorn in My Side” reached several top 10 charts around Europe and the Top 10 in the UK and Ireland.
Beethoven (I Love to Listen to)
After the commercial success of the previous two albums, the duo tried to return to their experimental roots releasing an album whose concept was based on synths and sample sounds combined with Lennox’ vocals. The music video is one of the best Eurythmics have recorded and it features a middle class housewife who displays characteristics of dissociative identity disorder or split personalities eventually turning into overly sexual vixen towards the end of the video. The video itself was recorded by Sophie Miller and all videos from the album Revenge will run this concept
I’ve Got a Life
This is so far the last official release by Eurythmics which was recorded in 2000 for their second best of package Ultimate Collection. It is an electro dance track which did well on the US dance charts. Yet again we see Annie Lennox’s image in a man's suit which in a way is homage to the image that made them popular and their biggest hit “Sweet Dream (Are Made of this)”. Furthermore we see Lennox and Stewart performing the song in front of many television screens showing scenes from videos spanning throughout their Eurythmics career.
Singles cover photos courtesy of discogs.com
For the complete Eurythmics discography, as documented in music videos, please check the following the link below.
"Can't Get Enough (Of Your Love)" was a song form Kim Wilde's album 'Love Moves' which was released thirty years ago, in 1990. The single was only released in France and Germany and did not see the light of day in her native UK although it remains as one of Wilde's best and underrated songs in the crossover between two decades.
Blackberry Way Records have announced the reissue of Swing Set’s second album ‘The Soul Remains’. The album was originally released on Blackberry Way Records in 1990 and garnered airplay and reviews around the world. Twenty seven years after the original release this great blend of Guitar pop/rock with a wonderful lead track "Dreamin' You" will be reissued. There are also rumors of a possible follow up release with new songs. To see more about this and other exciting releases, please follow the link below.
Deadwax Records have announced the release of Kinetic Ideals "This Face" 12" EP. Recorded after almost 30 years, the EP will feature the three session tracks, plus an additional song recorded at Toronto's Manta Sound studios later in the winter of 1985. They have been digitized from the original master tapes by Peter J. Moore of Cowboy Junkies' The Trinity Session fame, carefully remastered by Nicolás Zúñiga of Dead Wax Records and sound just great with all their original analogue glory. Patrick Duffy plays the drums here but has also designed the whole artwork for the release, which is presented in gorgeous clear vinyl, housed in a heavy matt finish sleeve with printed inner sleeve. A short run of 420 copies for worldwide distribution.
It's official, a new Prefab Sprout album will be released this year, on October 7th. The title of the album is 'Crimson/Red'. It is being released by Icebreaker Records, and distributed by Warner ADA. We hope to get more info as well as the artwork, as soon as the official info is out.
The track list is as follows:
1. The Best Jewel Thief In The World
2. The List of Impossible Things
3. Adolescence
4. Grief Built The Taj Mahal
5. Devil Came A Calling
6. Billy
7. The Dreamer
8. The Songs Of Danny Galway
9. The Old Magician
10. Mysterious
The long-awaited new Waterboys album 'An Appointment With Mr Yeats' will be released across Europe by Proper Records on September 19th. North American release will follow in 2012. The album was produced by Mike Scott and Waterboys' bassist Marc Arciero, and contains 14 new songs created from the lyrics of Ireland's greatest poet, WB Yeats. The first single from the album, "Sweet Dancer" is available for download NOW from iTunes.
Haircut One Hundred, one of Britain’s leading iconic 1980s funk/pop bands will reform for a special one-off concert when they will perform their debut album 'Pelican West' in its entirety for the very first time at the prestigious London IndigO2. BBC 6 Music DJ Mark Jones of 'Back to the Phuture' will spin all the 80s’ pop classics. Support comes from “The Quotes” who take to the stage at 19:45, followed by Haircut One Hundred at 21:00.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster on 0844 844 0002 or can be booked online from www.ticketmaster.co.uk or www.ticketline.co.uk.
A former Fischerspooner member Casey Spooner is back with his debut solo album 'Adult Contemporary' which takes Spooner to new musical directions. The first single to be taken from the album is "Spanish Teenager" co-written with Scissor Sisters' Jake Shears and produced by Jeff Saltzman. The single will be released on January 24th in the UK while the album is available here.
'Olympia' is a title of a new Bryan Ferry album to be released by Virgin Records today (October 26, 2010). The album features a wide range of contributors, including co-songwriter David A. Stewart of Eurythmics, Phil Manzanera, Groove Armada, Scissor Sisters and Brian Eno. The album was produced by Rhett Davies and it is Ferry's first album with original material since 2002's 'Frantic'. The first single titled "You Can Dance" has already been released in August.
Kim Wilde will release her 11th album this Summer on August 13, 2010. The album is entitled 'Come Out and Play' and it will be preceded by a new single "Lights Down Low" which is currently promoted on various radio stations.
The Stranglers have prepared two new songs for the potential single release. The first track is the Leamington-debuted "Retro Rockets" and the second is "I Don’t See the World Like You Do". After deliberation "Retro Rockets" has been chosen as the download only single.Both tracks should now be included on the forthcoming 'Decades Apart' compilation as well. The release dates through EMI, for the single and album are tentatively February, 22 and March, 1 2010 respectively although these dates may change.
The long awaited debut album by Bernard Sumner's latest formation Bad Lieutenant has been released around the world October 5, 2009.During recording sessions Blur bassist Alex James and ex-New Order drummer Stephen Morris worked with the band on some of the tracks.The lead single "Sink or Swim" was released on September 28, 2009 and it was available for download through their official page.
Henry Badowski is known as the British songwriter and composer as well as a multi-instrumentalist. At the beginning of his career he used to play in many Punk and New wave bands. In the early 80's he released a few singles and recorded one LP, after which he withdrew from music and public life.
Photo courtesy of https://www.thisismyjam.com/artist/Henry+Badowski
Henry's career started in a punk band, Chelsie, where he was a bassist. He later joined Wreckless Eric's band as a drummer, he sang and played keyboards with short-lived King a punk/psychedelic group. He also played briefly with Alternative TV. Before launching his solo career he a was temporary member of the Damned off-shoot, the Doomed, playing bass guitar.
Badowski's solo career began in the summer of 1979, with the release of "Making Love With My Wife" on Deptford Fun City label.The single drew favourable reviews and within a month he had signed a contract with A&M Records, releasing a further two singles "My Face"and "Henry's In Love", closely followed by the album 'Life Is Grand...', His album displayed strong 60's and 70's influence and Henry himself played the most of the instruments except the violin and the guitar. After his album release and no new follow-up Henry has withdrawn from music and public life. His album has never been remastered.
The Pretenders will release their new album 'Break Up The Concrete' on October 7, 2008 through Shangri-La Music. This is the first studio album in 6 years and one of the best yet as they say. The album is already avaialable as a digital download on amazon.com. Some of their songs will be available on their official Myspace page.
'Viva la Vida or Death and All His Friends' is the fourth studio album by English alternative rock band Coldplay. It was released on 12 June 2008 in the UK and will be released in North America on 17 June 2008. The project is largely produced by Brian Eno. Two songs have been released from the record, "Violet Hill" and "Viva la Vida".The album also includes two hidden tracks and there is also an iTunes bonus as well.
'Smilers' (also known as @#%&*! Smilers) is the forthcoming seventh studio album by singer-songwriter Aimee Mann. It is scheduled to be released by SuperEgo Records on June 3, 2008. The album was produced by Mann's bassist, Paul Bryan, and features guest appearances by singer-songwriter Sean Hayes, who duets with Mann on the track "Ballantines," and author Dave Eggers, who whistles on "Little Tornado."
You can see the video for the song "Voices Carry" below. It's the best achievement for her 80's band 'til Tuesday.
The Comateens were originally a New Wave duo formed in 1978 in New York City by bassist/vocalist Nic North and guitarist Ramona Jan. Soon after, Lyn Byrd joined on vocals and synthesizer, and the duo became a trio. When Jan departed in 1980, North's brother Oliver joined on guitar, completing the final lineup. The band was one of the first in the world to record solely with a drum machine, joining the ranks of the burgeoning electro-pop avantgarde along with bands such as Suicide, Kraftwerk and Soft Cell.
This New York trio played a bouncy brand of dance rock rooted in chintzy '60s Farfisa organ pop and spooky horror movie soundtrack music. The group first gained recognition in 1979 with a homemade single that featured a stripped- down version of Bowie's "TVC 15," which they re-recorded for their first LP. They contributed two tracks to the influential Marty Thau Presents 2x5 compilation and their debut album, the self-titled Comateens, (1980) featured the band's bizarrely original compositions alongside covers of "Summer in the City" (The Lovin' Spoonful), "TVC 15" (David Bowie), and the theme song from TV's The Munsters.
After they were signed to Virgin Records they released the second album, 'Pictures On A String' which diverges into rock quirkiness and danceable commercialism, pushing a powerful disco beat on "Get off My Case" "Cinnamon" and other numbers. In 1984 the band released their final album, 'Deal with It', which featured live drums played by Chuck Sabo. The band also rode the New Wave by appearing on the then new and innovative MTV in several videos, and in interviews with pioneer VJs Mark Goodman and Martha Quinn.
The band split up in 1985. Oliver North died in 1987 of asthma-related heart failure. In 1988 Nic North (now Nicholas West) and Lyn Byrd recorded an album, West & Byrd, together. In 1990 the duo, again under the name Comateens, recorded the song "A Place For Me" which became a European hit. Virgin Records released a retrospective compilation of their music in 1991 called "One By One: Best Of Comateens" which has become a rare and much sought-after record among collectors of New Wave music.
The Reels were formed in the late 70’s after few name changes. The major figures of the group were David Mason (lead vocals, keyboards), Craig Hooper (guitars, keyboards, vocals), Colin 'Polly' Newham (keyboards), John Bliss (drums), Paul Abrahams (bass) Karen Ansell (keyboards, vocals), Stefan Fidock (drums). They released four albums, two EP’s and several singles between 1979 and 1991.
The Reels went under few name changes in their early career and when they signed the first record contract with Australian branch of Mercury records, they then changed their name into The Reels and released their debut single “Love Will Find A Way”. Another single followed and their self-titled album was released the same year, in 1979.
In 1980 the Reels added a second keyboardist and released their third single “After The News”. This song marked a transition in their music both in the songwriting as well as in the sound. They began using synthesizers as the main instrument. In May 1981 the Reels released ‘Quasimodo Dream’ which is considered as their best album today.
After few line up changes the Reels signed a new record contract with RCA Records in 1982 and they scored their first international hit with a cover of the song “The Guys In Love With You”
In mid-1980 the group undertook the innovative "Reels By Rail" tour, which saw them using rail transport to travel to all the destinations on their tour. At the end of the year, returning to their roots as a covers band, they released a five track Christmas EP, Five Great Gift Ideas From The Reels, produced by Bruce Brown and Russell Dunlop, which included versions of Jim Reeves' "According To My Heart", and Freda Payne's "Band Of Gold". "According To My Heart"was very successful and featured a folksy music video filmed at the ranch of Australian country music star Smokey Dawson. In 1986 the Reels were signed with Regular records and continued to record cover songs. Even their 1987 tour was called ‘Reels by Request’ and audience called out for the songs they wanted to hear.
In 1989 Mason appeared in the acclaimed Australian feature film Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, in which he co-starred with Nick Cave. In September 1991 the Reels issued their first original single in five years, "I Don't Love You Anymore", followed by what proved to be their last single, a remix by Filthy Lucre of "Bad Moon Rising" . The group officially disbanded to coincide with the release of the compilation CD Requiem.
In May ‘07, Dave Mason released his first album in more than 15 years, ‘Reelsville’, an acoustic celebration of The Reels hits re-recorded by the original artist. In August ‘07 ‘Reel To Reel’ was also released - a compilation of The Reels classic tracks with new liner notes as written by Dave.Dave Mason, John Bliss and Colin ‘Polly’ Newham have resurrected themselves in their former guise ‘The Reels’ and plan to play shows in May 2008.
This New York trio played a bouncy brand of dance rock rooted in chintzy '60s Farfisa organ pop and spooky horror movie soundtrack music. The group first gained recognition in 1979 with a homemade single that featured a stripped- down version of Bowie's "TVC 15," which they re-recorded for their first LP. They contributed two tracks to the influential Marty Thau Presents 2x5 compilation and their debut album, the self-titled Comateens, (1980) featured the band's bizarrely original compositions alongside covers of "Summer in the City" (The Lovin' Spoonful), "TVC 15" (David Bowie), and the theme song from TV's The Munsters.
After they were signed to Virgin Records they released the second album, 'Pictures On A String' which diverges into rock quirkiness and danceable commercialism, pushing a powerful disco beat on "Get off My Case" "Cinnamon" and other numbers. In 1984 the band released their final album, 'Deal with It', which featured live drums played by Chuck Sabo. The band also rode the New Wave by appearing on the then new and innovative MTV in several videos, and in interviews with pioneer VJs Mark Goodman and Martha Quinn.
The band split up in 1985. Oliver North died in 1987 of asthma-related heart failure. In 1988 Nic North (now Nicholas West) and Lyn Byrd recorded an album, West & Byrd, together. In 1990 the duo, again under the name Comateens, recorded the song "A Place For Me" which became a European hit. Virgin Records released a retrospective compilation of their music in 1991 called "One By One: Best Of Comateens" which has become a rare and much sought-after record among collectors of New Wave music.
The Reels went under few name changes in their early career and when they signed the first record contract with Australian branch of Mercury records, they then changed their name into The Reels and released their debut single “Love Will Find A Way”. Another single followed and their self-titled album was released the same year, in 1979.
After few line up changes the Reels signed a new record contract with RCA Records in 1982 and they scored their first international hit with a cover of the song “The Guys In Love With You”
In 1989 Mason appeared in the acclaimed Australian feature film Ghosts... of the Civil Dead, in which he co-starred with Nick Cave. In September 1991 the Reels issued their first original single in five years, "I Don't Love You Anymore", followed by what proved to be their last single, a remix by Filthy Lucre of "Bad Moon Rising" . The group officially disbanded to coincide with the release of the compilation CD Requiem.