Emotional Listening #33

Law and Order - Lindsey Buckingham (Asylum, 1981)
I can't believe that I haven't even touched on any of the five classic and near perfect Fleetwood Mac albums from 1975-1987, and here I am writing about a Lindsey Buckingham solo record. I'll get to the Mac juiciness some day (or will I?), but I was that floored by this, Buckingham's first solo effort. And, it only gets better with each listen. It pretty much details Fleetwood Mac's transition from 1979's Tusk to 1982's Mirage in the best way possible. The "ra-ta-ta-tas" in "Bwana," unnecessary second drum track and fills in "Mary Lee Jones," and wacky shouting in "That's How We Do It in L.A.," all call back to the weirder Buckingham moments on Tusk, while smooth, sulky ballads like "Trouble," "I'll Tell You Now," and "Shadow of the West" all hint at what was to come on Mirage and then Tango in the Night. If you like those classic Fleetwood Mac albums, and you should, then there is plenty to love on Law and Order.
Top jams: "Bwana," "Trouble," "Mary Lee Jones," "I'll Tell You Now," "Shadow of the West," "That's How We Do It in L.A.," "Love From Here, Love From There"


Sound of the Westway - Chin Chin (Farmer, 1985)
I know I'm a couple years late at getting really into this, but, that's the wonderful challenge of good music. There is way too much of it out there, and that is not a bad problem to have. I purchased the 2010 Slumberland reissue on the cheap maybe a year or so ago at Encore in Ann Arbor. Sound of the Westway offers up some bad ass summertime girl punk. I think it's pretty clear that Chin Chin played quote a role in the development of Vivian Girls. Big 80s drums, great open chords, catchy melodies, tuff attitude. "Jungle of Fear" and "Stay With Me" both rule big time.
Top jams: "Dark Days," "My Guy," "Jungle of Fear," "Room of Sadness," "War," "Proud Soldiers," "Stay With Me," "Dead Life"


Afoot EP - Let's Active (I.R.S., 1983)
In addition to producing R.E.M. albums in the 80s, Mitch Easter had a band called Let's Active. Afoot was their debut release, and it is fantastic. I love every song, especially "Every Word Means No," "Make Up With Me" and "Edge of the World." Easter's nasally voice is a nice contrast to the big, yet sometimes subtle 80s production, and those jangly and chimey guitars that I love are all over the place here. The song structures are a little askew, which is another draw for me. But, seriously, all six songs are awesome. Now, tell me, is it worth it to go forward and devote some time to the LPs that followed?
Top jams: "Every Word Means No," "Make Up With Me," "Edge of the World," "Room With a View," "In Between," "Leader of Men" (AKA, all of them!)