Weekday Wayback: David Bowie- Let's Dance

I always say a person's favorite Bowie album says a lot about them. Of course I also say the same thing about a person's favorite flavor of ice cream. My personal arbiters of character aside, I picked this album for good reason, from the collection of albums passed along to me by my materfamilias, this was the one David Bowie album. The craziest thing to me is that I didn't realize until as I sat down to write this Weekday Wayback is that Let's Dance was Bowie's fifteenth studio album! Released on April 14 of 1983, Scary Monsters (and Super Creeps) was just behind him and Ziggy Stardust: The Motion Picture had yet to be conceived. Opening with "Modern Love", Let's Dance sets the upbeat tone for the rest of the album. That song was revitalized with use in the Greta Gerwig film Frances Ha released in 2012. Ever the crooner, Bowie pulls out all the stops on the second track "China Girl", which had previously been an Iggy Pop song on his debut album from 1977 The Idiot. Funnily enough, Bowie contributed keyboards, saxophone, and toy piano to the Iggy Pop recording. Another interesting musical collaboration related to Let's Dance: Stevie Ray Vaughn is the lead guitarist for the album. It is also incredibly interesting that the title track clocks in at nearly eight minutes. While some critics derided this album for being too pop-y, I think it's a comforting one full of tracks that are worth remembering in his legacy.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Elvis Costello- My Aim is True

Given my wit and the maternal influences on my music preferences, it makes sense that I would feature Elvis Costello for Weekday Wayback. My Aim is True was Costello's first album, recorded and released in 1976. My Aim is True introduced listeners to what would become Costello's trademark snark paired with a hip interpretation of what it meant to be post-punk. Stealing Buddy Holly's signature glasses and adding a skinny tie, Costello gets bitter in "Alison" from which the album derives it's title as he sings, "I think somebody better put out the big light because I can't stand to see you this way," at the woman who spurned his advances. This snarky bitterness is a trend that has continued throughout his career that never wears on the listener. Luckily for fans, he is still making music. In 2013, he released Wise Up Ghost with The Roots, which is such a cool collaboration. All we can hope for is for Costello to keep it up with his snark and musical stylings for many more years to come.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: The Clash- Combat Rock

Of their entire discography, The Clash achieved the most commercial success with Combat Rock, their fifth album. It's interesting seeing a British band comment on things like the Vietnam War and its aftermath on tracks like "Straight to Hell". For those of you familiar with the artist M.I.A., her hit song "Paper Planes" samples the opening of "Straight to Hell". Another interesting thing to note about Combat Rock is that poet Allen Ginsberg appears on the track "Ghetto Defendant". The ugliness we don't often acknowledge about our country and its history is a theme that many artists have worked with since the release of Combat Rock in 1982. Albums released contemporarily to it include Bruce Springsteen's Born in the USA and U2's The Joshua Tree. My personal favorite track is "Should I Stay or Should I Go" because Strummer incorporates Spanish into the lyrics in a way that doesn't feel forced. It's a little sad that this was the last album to feature the original lineup of the band because drummer Topper Headon's deteriorating health and poor life choices led him to be fired from the band. He was not the only member to be fired because guitarist Mick Jones was similarly let go before the band began work on their sixth and final album, Cut the Crap. Band squabbles aside, Combat Rock is a pretty solid album and worth checking out beyond the more well known singles "Should I Stay or Should I Go?" and "Rock the Casbah".

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Sonic Youth- Goo

Known for its album cover designed by Raymond Pettibon who also designed the Black Flag logo, Goo proved to the world that punk wasn't dead but rather reborn. Sonic Youth's sixth album was released in June of 1990. Lead single "Kool Thing" features Chuck D of Public Enemy, which has to be the most interesting intersection of artists from the 90s. Other notable tracks include "Tunic (Song for Karen)" imagines Karen Carpenter no longer suffering from anorexia and befriending Janis Joplin and Elvis as well as "Dirty Boots". This album marks the shift in the sound of rock; the 80s were a decade that featured many bands who strived for a sound that could reverberate through a packed stadium, while the 90s were when bands went for a grittier sound suited for more intimate venues like CBGB. If you want an insider's look at all things Sonic Youth, it is worth your while to read Kim Gordon's 2015 memoir Girl in a Band that has drawn comparisons to Patti Smith's Just Kids for its candor in her commentary on being a woman in the music industry. Sonic Youth is disbanded but it's always great to appreciate the gems in their discography like Goo.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Blondie- Parallel Lines

There's just something so wonderful about Debbie Harry. Who wouldn't want to be her? Parallel Lines was Blondie's third album; it was released in 1978. With this album, the band finally achieved commercial success in the United States. Parallel Lines marks a departure from the post-punk sound that the band used to establish themselves as regulars in the CBGB lineup. Opening with a strong cover of "Hanging on the Telephone", their post-punk roots shine through, which carry over into "One Way or Another". However, tracks like "Heart of Glass" show the more danceable side the band would come to embrace that brought them increasing commercial success. Interestingly enough, Blondie recently put out two solid new singles that prove that age can't hold you back, especially if you're Debbie Harry.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: The Police- Outlandos D'Amour

This week, dear readers, you're in luck because I'm writing a second Weekday Wayback! It wasn't easy picking a favorite album by the Police, especially when Zenyatta Mondatta is also the name of a very cool racehorse who has a diet of oats and Guinness! Random trivia tidbits aside (I swear I've mentioned that one pretty regularly on my show), Outlandos D'Amour is the band's first album; it was released in 1978. The title track "Next to You" has the aggressive influence of punk, while it is followed by "So Lonely" with a distinct reggae sound. Other random trivia tidbit: the laughter heard at the beginning of "Roxanne" occurred when Sting accidentally sat on the keyboard. Look at the Wikipedia entry for the song if you don't believe me; he's credited for butt piano on it. For a debut album, Outlandos D'Amour is awesome because the reggae influence that would become the band's signature really shines through. It's worth noting said reggae influence has rubbed off on subsequent generations, most notably Vampire Weekend whom we adore here at KRCX.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Prince- Purple Rain

Recently, the entirety of Prince's discography returned to streaming services including Spotify, which I have a premium subscription for. His talent was like no other and will likely never be matched in this generation or those to come. Purple Rain is demonstrative of this. Opening with a bang in the form of "Let's Go Crazy", the tone of the album is anything but set in stone. Side one (back when albums came out on vinyl and cassette) ends with the yearning of "Darling Nikki". "Darling Nikki" has the distinction of being the song that apparently motivated Tipper Gore to co-found the Parents Music Resource Center. Side two then kicks things off with the timeless "When Doves Cry", which was later sampled in MC Hammer's song "Pray", an exception to the rule regarding Prince's careful curation of his catalogue. The title track closes the album with 8 minutes and 43 seconds of transcendental bliss. There is no way to put into words the magic that is "Purple Rain", but I can say I tried. That being said, go treat yourselves to the sonic masterpiece that is Prince's sixth studio album.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Fleetwood Mac- Rumours

This classic of an album turned 40 just a few days ago. Written and recorded during a tumultuous period for the band, Rumours saw the outpouring of some of the songs Fleetwood Mac is best known for today. Every track highlights the vulnerabilities the members of the band were feeling in their relationships. "Dreams" written by Stevie Nicks laments "players only love you when they're playing". "Go Your Own Way" is Lindsey Buckingham's response to Nicks, as the couple were in a rough patch in their relationship, which eventually culminated in a divorce. Interestingly, the members of the band didn't realize they were writing such personal songs about each other until they convened in the recording studio to lay down the tracks. Despite the rifts in their personal relationships, Fleetwood Mac came together to write "The Chain". Rumours is an album of tremendous musicality from start to finish with incredibly tender lyrics that demand to be heard all the way through.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: X-Ray Spex- Germ Free Adolescents

This Weekday Wayback is filed under: bands you probably don't know but definitely should. Unapologetic in their feminist critique of the ills plaguing society, X-Ray Spex took aim at many that pissed them off, most notably consumerism. Lorna Logic's wailing saxophone complements vocalist Poly Strene's rage against the throw-away culture that persists to this day in "Oh Bondage, Up Yours!" Strene, born Marianne Joan Elliott-Said, chose her stage name deliberately go along with the disposable lifestyle they so frequently targeted. Germ Free Adolescent teems with rage coming from righteous indignation at many of the -isms that are still a problem today including ageism as seen on the track "Age". The riotous aesthetic is one that deserves to be brought back and adopted for today's society. I end this post by saying, don't be discouraged at the current state of affairs, get pissed off! It's exactly what Poly Strene would have wanted.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Pet Shop Boys- Please

Released in 1986, Please is one hell of a debut album. Incorporating elements of techno pop of the decade, the Pet Shop Boys found a way of distinguishing themselves from their contemporaries, their talent for lyric writing. In addition, Neil Tennant's vocals work with the instrumentation of each track to develop its own aesthetic. "Suburbia" demonstrates this with darker synth work that combines with Tennant's somber vocals to create a haunting track imploring the listener to "take a run with the dogs tonight." The repetition of upbeat synth motifs in "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots of Money)" and Tennant's crooning vocals lull the listener into a catatonic, capitalistic trance. Fun fact: the title of the album was chosen so when people went to their record store (remember when that was still a thing?) to buy the album they would have to ask, "Can I have the Pet Shop Boys album, "Please"?" Those clever guys! 

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Arlo Guthrie- Alice's Restaurant

Thanksgiving is nearly upon us and in keeping with that theme, I've chosen Alice's Restaurant by Arlo Guthrie as our Weekday Wayback. Guthrie's father was the well-known singer-songwriter, Woody Guthrie, who also wrote songs with political themes. This was his debut album; it was released in 1967. Influences of both Pete Seeger and his father can be found on this album, yet we hear Guthrie's own distinct synthesis of his predecessors that show him moving into territory uniquely his own. There's a point to all of this, which is this: "Alice's Restaurant Massacre" is the Thanksgiving Song, end of discussion. The original recording clocks in at 18 minutes and 34 seconds. The talking blues style is well suited to this true story of taking out the trash and dodging the draft. The song included with this post is an updated version (released in 1995) that runs for 22 minutes and 26 seconds. I really don't want to give too much away for anyone who hasn't heard it before but please believe me when I say this is song worth every second. The amazing thing of it all is this song has its basis in reality, the events of which took place on Thanksgiving Day 1965, granted there is some exaggeration in this retelling. With that in mind, have a lovely Thanksgiving!

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Kate Bush- Hounds of Love

Kate Bush. Where to begin? Hounds of Love, released in 1985, was her fifth album and a return to success after her previous album, The Dreaming, didn't do so well in her native Britain or the United States. The amazing thing about Hounds of Love is that it's secretly two albums in one, what I mean is that side 1 (when it was released on vinyl back in the day) is Hounds of Love while side 2 is The Ninth Wave, which is a conceptual piece about a person lost in their thoughts at night, floating alone in the water. How awesome is that? Extremely awesome! The track "Running Up That Hill (A Deal With God)" feels all the more relevant in light of Tuesday. "Cloudbusting" is another wonderful song that also lets her ethereal vocals shine. As a whole, this album is orchestral and majestic, which comes from Bush's dedication to mixing in traditional Irish instruments in addition to piano, synthesizer, and layered vocals. Kate Bush is a talented musician so I hope that this Weekday Wayback serves as a encouragement to our readers to check out more of her work.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Bruce Springsteen- The Wild, The Innocent, & The E Street Shuffle

Delving into the early 70's for Weekday Wayback isn't entirely out of character for me because while my friends were in their collective emo phase during 6th grade, I fully immersed myself in 70's music with no shame. This Weekday Wayback is quite timely as well because Springsteen recently released his memoir, Born to Run. While I have yet to read said memoir, I feel like this album is a great way of taking a sonic stroll down memory lane. This was his second album after Greetings from Asbury Park, NJ. Released in September of 1973, this album features Springsteen's earnest lyrics that have defined his career in addition to his incredible skills on the guitar. Clarence Clemons on the saxophone is a revelation and I can't stress enough how incredible he is! It wasn't until an advance copy of "Born to Run" was given out to stations that "Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)" began to receive significant airplay. Thus the song gained status as the most used set closer for the first ten years of his career with the E Street Band. Here is proof that the sophomore slump can be avoided, assuming you're Bruce Springsteen.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Michael Jackson- Thriller

Thriller truly has something for everyone! Produced by Quincy Jones, this album lets Michael Jackson's versatile musicality shine. The title track off the album features a music video that has defined the medium for decades since its release in 1983. Another stand-out track is Jackson's duet with Paul McCartney, "The Girl is Mine", which brought the two musicians back together after having recorded "Say Say Say" and "The Man" for McCartney's album Pipes of Peace in 1983. Another musician to make a guest appearance on this album is Eddie Van Halen who performs the guitar solo on "Beat It".  To this day, Thriller is the best selling album of all time; it has sold approximately 65 million copies and counting. You owe it to yourself and the King of Pop to give this album a listen, you won't be disappointed.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Tears for Fears- Songs from the Big Chair

Funnily enough, Tears for Fears came to Colorado on tour earlier this month, which slipped my mind until I sat down to write this Weekday Wayback. Songs from the Big Chair is their second album (released in 1985). It reached number one here in the United States on the charts. One track, "Everybody Wants to Rule the World", was recently covered by Lorde in a dark re-interpretation for the soundtrack to Catching Fire in the Hunger Games franchise. Another pop culture revitalization of Tears for Fears occurred when Curt Smith cameoed on the tv series Psych in multiple episodes as himself, among other nods to the band interspersed throughout the series. "Shout" is perhaps the one of the band's most well-known songs, but with so many other wonderful tracks, Songs from the Big Chair is a perfect way to familiarize yourself with more of their work. "Mother's Talk" and "Broken" both have lyrics with just the right amount of bite, while "Head Over Heels" captures yearning sonically in a very unique yet relatable way. Once again, here is a classic new wave album that deserves a place in your heart, if not vinyl collection as well.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: INXS- Kick

My taste in music features influences from both of my parents, which is reflected in this Weekday Wayback. Among the myriad collection of CDs my mother has passed down to me are two albums by INXS including Kick. Released in 1987,  this album performed well around the world and resulted in four US Top 10 Singles as well as reaching Platinum Certification six times. Upbeat tracks like "New Sensation" and "Devil Inside" make you want to get up and dance. Those tracks pose a stark contrast to "Never Tear Us Apart" that lets Michael Hutchence's soulful vocals and Kirk Pengilly's somber saxophone playing demand your attention (and maybe a box of tissues too). One of my favorites is "Mystify", the video for which is featured above. All and all, Kick is a solid record that showed the world what INXS could do and for which I have my mother to thank for passing along to me.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Talking Heads- Stop Making Sense

Stop Making Sense is a bona fide classic that set the bar ridiculously high for concert films back in 1984 and reigns supreme to this day. With "Psycho Killer" as the opening track, the album kicks things off in away that allows Byrne's zaniness to draw the listener in for a thrilling auditory experience. The star of the show in my opinion is Tina Weymouth, whose syncopated bass drives many of the songs featured on Stop Making Sense. Stunning live versions of fan favorites like "Burning Down the House" and "Take Me to the River" make this a must have for New Wave enthusiasts. The album and concert film get their name from the lyrics "as we get older and stop making sense, you won't find her waiting long," of "Girlfriend is Better" initially from the album Speaking in Tongues, which fittingly finds its home on this track listing here as well. Luckily for us here at Regis, our library's media services department has the film of Stop Making Sense just waiting to be checked out.
 

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Sex Pistols- Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols

Disillusionment with life in England in the late 70s and into the 80s produced some incredible records. Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols taps into the frustration many young adults felt directed at the lack of economic prospects and politicians they felt did not represent them. These themes translated into a visceral sound that put their rage on center stage.  This is exemplified by tracks like "God Save the Queen" where the national anthem is subverted to articulate their anger at the state of affairs during that time. Snarling vocals from Johnny Rotten along with trashing guitar by Steve Jones make this album one of the best known punk albums of all time. While much has happened since the era when this album came out, the themes of frustration with politics and dismal economic prospects hold true to this day, which is why I highly recommend this album for anyone feeling exasperated with this year's election and Brexit.

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Passengers- Original Soundtracks 1

Dabbling in the absurd generally occurs when a band undertakes a side-project. Original Soundtracks 1 exemplifies this with Brian Eno's love for experimental ambient dominating many tracks. After finishing the multi-continent multimedia spectacular that was the ZOO TV Tour, U2 found themselves in a creative rut. Eno's suggestion they decamp to a studio to improvise proved to be the impetus for what evolved into this album. The most well known track, "Miss Sarajevo", features tenor Luciano Pavarotti whose vocals drive home the song's pathos. While most songs on the album come from fictitious films, "Miss Sarajevo" along with "Your Blue Room", "Beach Sequence", and "One Minute Warning" actually found their home on the soundtracks for actual films. "Always Forever Now" though not on an actual soundtrack at the time of the album's release later found a role in the film Heat.  For fans of Eno as well as U2, this album is a hidden gem and a worthwhile listen through and through. 

Natalie Doggett

Weekday Wayback: Joy Division- Unknown Pleasures

Best known for its album cover that has been spoofed in various iterations across hundreds of t-shirts, Unknown Pleasures by Joy Division is so much more and as such deserves to be recognized for its musical merits. Produced by Martin Hannett, this album truly showcases the talents of each band member. Many bands of this era called themselves punk rock, but none of them exemplify the ethos as well as Joy Division does with each song showcasing a collective effort from all members. For example, tracks like "She's Lost Control" demonstrate this dynamic , the chaotic sound of the guitar along with the combination of bass and drums complement the disorder of the lyrics, which Curtis was inspired to write following the death of a close friend from epilepsy. Sadly Unknown Pleasures was only one of two albums within their ouevre before Curtis tragically died at only 23. From the ashes of Joy Division, the remaining members soldiered on taking their music to a new dimension as New Order. 

Natalie Doggett