May 4, 2018
11:04:06am
11:04:06am
Friday's Five Obscurities: 80s Frontmen
Today's distraction includes side projects, solo albums, and other obscurities from 80s modern rock A-listers.
1. The Glove: Mr. Alphabet Says
I don't know if Robert Smith wasn't entirely sure The Cure was going to be a permanent thing, but for a couple years he was simultaneously an official member of Siouxsie and the Banshees. What's more, in 1983, at roughly the same time Siouxsie and Budgie were doing their The Creatures side project, Smith and Steven Severin worked on a project Severin dubbed The Glove. Smith was contractually prohibited from singing outside of The Cure, so they brought in Jeanette Landray for vocals. But a couple tracks, including "Mr. Alphabet Says," featured Robert Smith singing nonetheless.
2. The Golden Palominos: Alive and Living Now
The Golden Palominos are the longstanding project of Anton Fier, featuring a revolving door of guest artists. While my favorite Golden Palominos track is "Little Suicides" with Lori Carson's lovely vocals, apparently their only charting single was 1991's "Alive and Living Now," featuring R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe.
3. Love Spit Love: Long Long Time
After The Psychedelic Furs, Richard Butler formed the band Love Spit Love. While their first album's "Am I Wrong" is one of the greatest songs ever written, this less well-known 1997 single "Long Long Time" is another gem.
4. Martin Gore: I Cast a Lonesome Shadow
OK, technically Gore isn't Depeche Mode's frontman. But he is their primary songwriter and sings on a number of tracks. For the exquisite 1989 Counterfeit EP and 2003's follow-up Counterfeit^2 LP, he covers songs that influenced him, including "I Cast a Lonesome Shadow." For some whiplash, listen to Hank Thompson's original.
5. Ian McCulloch: Love in Veins
Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch has put out a number of nice solo albums, but 2003's Slideling is the best overall, and as an album every bit as good as any Bunnymen album. OK, nothing's as good as Ocean Rain. But Slideling definitely showcases a mature McCulloch, comfortable in his songwriting, reminiscent to me of how Sting matured.
Past Friday Fives:
1. The Glove: Mr. Alphabet Says
I don't know if Robert Smith wasn't entirely sure The Cure was going to be a permanent thing, but for a couple years he was simultaneously an official member of Siouxsie and the Banshees. What's more, in 1983, at roughly the same time Siouxsie and Budgie were doing their The Creatures side project, Smith and Steven Severin worked on a project Severin dubbed The Glove. Smith was contractually prohibited from singing outside of The Cure, so they brought in Jeanette Landray for vocals. But a couple tracks, including "Mr. Alphabet Says," featured Robert Smith singing nonetheless.
2. The Golden Palominos: Alive and Living Now
The Golden Palominos are the longstanding project of Anton Fier, featuring a revolving door of guest artists. While my favorite Golden Palominos track is "Little Suicides" with Lori Carson's lovely vocals, apparently their only charting single was 1991's "Alive and Living Now," featuring R.E.M.'s Michael Stipe.
3. Love Spit Love: Long Long Time
After The Psychedelic Furs, Richard Butler formed the band Love Spit Love. While their first album's "Am I Wrong" is one of the greatest songs ever written, this less well-known 1997 single "Long Long Time" is another gem.
4. Martin Gore: I Cast a Lonesome Shadow
OK, technically Gore isn't Depeche Mode's frontman. But he is their primary songwriter and sings on a number of tracks. For the exquisite 1989 Counterfeit EP and 2003's follow-up Counterfeit^2 LP, he covers songs that influenced him, including "I Cast a Lonesome Shadow." For some whiplash, listen to Hank Thompson's original.
5. Ian McCulloch: Love in Veins
Echo and the Bunnymen frontman Ian McCulloch has put out a number of nice solo albums, but 2003's Slideling is the best overall, and as an album every bit as good as any Bunnymen album. OK, nothing's as good as Ocean Rain. But Slideling definitely showcases a mature McCulloch, comfortable in his songwriting, reminiscent to me of how Sting matured.
Past Friday Fives:
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