1.18.13

On January 18th I listened to U2 Boy, New Order Movement, and Howler Give Up America.

I grew up around the corner from some kid who claimed to be the first U2 fan in America! I heard him say it to anybody that would listen for years and he’s probably still saying it.

Needless to say, I heard this album a lot when I was a kid, but haven’t spent much time with the whole thing since.

Here’s a weird thing. Have you ever not liked a band on purpose because somebody you knew, friend or otherwise, LOVED them so much? I’ve done that on a few occasions because the person’s annoyance on the subject turned me off of the band. U2 is the perfect example. I spent the early 80’s numb to U2’s first three albums just cause some pud down the street wouldn’t shut up about them.

It’s a shame I almost forgot most of this record. What a great snapshot of the dawn of the 80’s. I hate to get nostalgic here, but this record transports me to 6th or 7th grade and first realizing that there is a world of music out there that's not getting played on the radio.

Not a parade of hits, Boy is another debut that found a band completely emerged in their own vibe. “I Will Follow” doesn't sound like anybody else but U2. “Twilight” and “Stories For Boys,” are two I really remember and I’m glad I got them back. I didn’t think of it then, but “Stories For Boys” is a creepy name for a song.

Following the hanging of Ian Curtis, Joy Division, picked up the pieces of their band, found a similar Nazi reference and marched on! Three thousand years Reich!  

I love how the first single from New Order, “Ceremony,” was written by their dead lead singer. It’s a shame it didn’t make the final cut for Movement. Unless you got the reissue with it on there, this record is kind of a bust. It was cool to hear it again, but I remember trying and trying to get into this disc and nothing.

Don’t get me wrong, though, I love New Order and looking ahead from a 1981 standpoint, greatness is coming from this band! A bunch of bullshit too! Shut up already, Hook!

Bernie and I went on one date, he never called me back. 

Howler! Great name! I’m not gonna label these guys by saying they sound like anybody else. I will say this, because this disc is refreshing, I like to see the kids show an appreciation for the classics and trying to find their own voice through them.

I just wrote up two early 80’s records and this Howler album from 2012 fits in with them perfectly!

I did listen to this one a year ago when it came out, I liked it, but I never listened to it anymore. The disc opens with a track called “Beach Sluts,” why didn’t I circle back on this one? (Wink to Dead Air Dave. I think I’m gonna start littering this blog with Easter eggs for people who don’t  read it. I’m sub-blogging!)

Nod to whoever sequenced this album, cause the first three songs are great and then it slips into bland repetition, although “Told You Once,” is a lot of fun. I’ll take three or four great songs though. Lots of promise! Looking forward to your second LP, Howler!