Emotional Listening #22

Crazy Rhythms - The Feelies (Stiff, 1980)
I recently finally got around to spending some time with revered New Jersey jangle pop band The Feelies' critically appreciated debut, Crazy Rhythms. Unlike their excellent third LP, Only Life, what Crazy Rhythms lacks is any outright jam of all jams (especially one to the degree of "It's Only Life," one of the greatest songs written by man). What's cool about this record, though, is all of its frantic, nervous energy in spite of all the clean, jangly guitars. There's almost a punk edge here, especially in the vocals, which bring to mind Devo and Buzzcocks more so than Glenn Mercer's lazier singing style on later records. These songs are generally quite fast, too, and the guitars really lend themselves to the percussive feel of the entire album. "Fa Ce-La" and "Crazy Rhythms" are the best tracks here, and I might go so far as to say that their cover of "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey" might be even better than The Beatles' original.
Top jams: "The Boy With the Perpetual Nervousness," "Fa Ce-La," "Forces at Work," "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey," "Raised Eyebrows," "Crazy Rhythms"


Entertainment! - Gang of Four (EMI, 1979)
I know that Gang of Four's 1979 debut, Entertainment!, heavily influenced a lot of bands that were considered a big deal in the early 2000s (namely The Rapture and Franz Ferdinand), and that it is a classic, important record. I just didn't care for whatever reason for a long time. Now, I listen to it with fresh ears and appreciate it for what it is: a political late 70s punk album with some danceable elements and ahead-of-its-time choppy, angular guitars. I recognize now the role that this record probably played in better bands like Fugazi and Q and Not U. "Glass" is the most eye opening moment for me here, due to its surprising melodic sensibility.
Top jams: "Natural's Not in It," "Not Great Men," "Damaged Goods," "Return the Gift," "I Found That Essence Rare," "Glass," "Contract," "At Home He's a Tourist"


Real Life - Magazine (Virgin, 1978)
After Howard Devoto left Buzzcocks in 1977, he formed Magazine, who are said to be one of the first post-punk bands, and went on to impressively release four records in the span of four years. Real Life is Magazine's debut, and it is a bizarre, albeit accessible, record. It is bizarre because of how dramatic and corny it can be in places, I feel, thanks to the presence of keyboards. Even in the more punk songs, there seem to be some regrettable decisions. However, Real Life has its winning moments too. "Shot by Both Sides" is a bad ass poppy punk song not unlike Buzzcocks. "My Tulpa" features some nice, quirky guitar melodies and "The Light Pours Out of Me" is a glorious guitar epic. Don't get me wrong, nothing here comes close to touching the best songs of Devoto's previous band, but Real Life is a unique and high quality entry in the punk and post-punk canons.
Top jams: "Definitive Gaze," "My Tulpa," "Shot by Both Sides," "Recoil," "The Light Pours Out of Me," "Parade"