Instant Hit: Lotus Eaters- Love Still Flows

The Lotus Eaters made their debut in 1983 with "The Pictures of You" which remained their biggest hit. They released their only album No Sense of Sin in 1984. "Love Still Flows" was one of the outstanding tracks on the album which was not issued as a single. It perfectly displays Lotus Eaters' melancholia and gentleness. 

Box Of Toys

Box of Toys, a British New Wave group, was formed in 1983, making a notable impact during their brief tenure. Under the Inevitable Records (UK) label, they released the singles "I'm Thinking Of You Now" and "Precious Is The Pearl." The band's lineup comprised Brian Atherton (Keyboards, Vocals), Andy Redhead (Drums), Roy Campbell (Bass), and Phil Martin (Alto and Soprano Saxophones, Oboe, Flute). Despite utilizing synthesizers and a drum machine, Box of Toys stood out from their contemporaries in the New Wave scene due to their unique musical approach.

The band's distinct sound was evident in their use of synthesizers and drum machines, setting them apart from their peers. In 1983, they also recorded a Peel session, but shortly after, the band disbanded. Following the split, the members ventured into different musical projects, with some forming bands such as 3D and The Light.

Fra Lippo Lippi

Fra Lippo Lippi is a Norwegian band formed in Nesodden, near Oslo, by Rune Kristoffersen, Morten Sjøberg and Bjørn Sorknes. In the early 80's they experimented with music, releasing two albums under the post-punk influence. They scored their biggest hit in 1985 with "Shouldn't Have To Be Like That" after they changed their musical direction to a more popier sound.

They released their debut four track EP on Private Records, offering short, funny and quirky stats of electro pop. Their first album In Silence was an attempt to funeral rock of Joy Division. It was muted by incomprehensible vocals and dismal, meandering music. In 1983, FLL were joined by Per Oystein Sorensen who raised the bridge to cross from desolate goth rock to a piano-laden amalgam of sophisti-pop and light jazz. After a year, before their first single "Now and Forever" was released, their second album, Small Mercies followed. It was still sinister, with funeral percussion, but with FLL now being a quartet and with the piano given an important role in the scheme of things, they continued towards a more defined pop direction, with a more personal style than previously.

In 1985, Fra Lippo Lippi were signed with Virgin Records in the U.K., releasing their third album, Songs. Fra Lippo Lippi jettisoned the gloom of their earlier efforts on Songs, experimenting with synth-pop and romantic balladry powered by Kristoffersen's piano. During the same year the latest member Øyvind Kvalnes and founder member Morten Sjøberg quit at the prospect of giving up their day jobs for the uncertain careers as professional musicians. This leaves FLL as the duo of Rune Kristoffersen and Per Øystein Sørensen.

In 1986 the first single for Virgin, "Shouldn't have to be like that", was released. It reached number 4 in the official Norwegian sales charts and the lower regions of the UK charts. It also remains Fra Lippo Lippis biggest hit. "Come Summer" and a completely reworked version of "Everytime I See You" are released as singles number 2 and 3. As a live band, FLL is extended with 4 musicians. They successfully tour Norway in the autumn, sold out concerts everywhere. They released another two album during the late 80’s 'Light and Shade' and The Colour Album

Fra Lippo Lippi became a huge hit in the Philippines in the late 80’s and were invited there for concerts. Ticket demand was huge and they sold out the 11.000 capacity Folk Arts Theatre in Manila 6 times over two weekends. In 1992, they released their sixth album Dreams and after releasing few best of compilations they split. Kristoffersen launched his own record label, Rune grammofon and Sorensen continued as solo artist. In 2000, Fra Lippo Lippi performed in the Philippines, a country where the band landed numerous hits during the 80's.