Why Music Died After ’95 – Forgotten Classics You Can Spotify #4

Head Over Heels – The Cocteau Twins

Head Over Heels was the Cocteau Twins second full-length LP and is often cited by the band as well as enthusiasts as being their best. Head Over Heels established the trademark "Cocteau" sound, and (alongside its companion EP ‘Sunburst and Snowblind’) met with very positive reviews in the music press and achieved the number one spot in the UK Independent chart.
Containing classics such as ‘Sugar Hiccup’, ‘From the Flagstones’, ‘My Love Paramour’ and ‘Musette and Drums’ that beautifully highlight their unique sound , ‘Head Over Heels’ is the Cocteau Twin LP to check out before listening to any of their other seven full releases.

It also makes the perfect soundtrack to these snow filled days.

Sugar Hiccup

Rediscover - The Cocteau Twins

Formed in 1979 by Robin Guthrie (guitar, drum machine) and Will Heggie (bass) before being joined by Elizabeth Fraser, who's distinctive, barely decipherable vocals managed to set the Cocteau Twins apart from their post punk, Goth peers.

They named themselves after a Simple Minds (or then known as Johnny & The Self Abusers) song and went on to record nine LP's (although Heggie only managed to last for two EP's and the bass position was later filled by Simon Raymonde.) with their trademark effects heavy guitar and ethereal vocal sound.

This track 'Pearly Dew Drops Drop' was taken from their Spangle Maker EP and is a good example of just how great, and original, the Cocteau Twins were:

Why Music Died After ’95 – Forgotten Classics You Can Spotify #3

The Monochrome Set – Strange Boutique

Formed in 1978 from the remnants of a college group called The B-Sides, whose members had included Stuart Goddard (Adam Ant) the Monochrome Set were notable for the laconic delivery of lead singer Bid, and the retro style of original lead guitarist Lester Square.
They released several singles for Rough Trade before recording their debut album, "Strange Boutique", for Dindisc records in 1980. The Monochrome Set went on to record a further nine LP’s, breaking up in 1985 and then reforming in the early nineties.
Strange Boutique remains their most complete album to date and ‘Goodbye Joe’ (below – no proper video exists) remains one of the highlights.



Check out the album & it's follow up 'Love Zombies' at Spotify

80’s music scenes # 1 – Psychobilly and the garage band revival

Unfairly denounced as a bit of a ‘knuckle headed’ musical movement, the Psychobilly/80’s garage scene did throw up some interesting bands that had a little more to offer than the ‘by number punk -rockabilly’ offered by The Meteors or The Guana Batz , as this classic clip from the Tube proves:



As someone who frequented The Clarendon in Hammersmith during my youth I can vouch for how much fun this scene really was. Maybe it’s time for a revival?

They Should Have Been Contenders - The Monochrome Set

Underestimated at the time yet their influence can still be heard today in bands like Franz Ferdinand . Here is the story of one of the best bands of the eighties - The Monochrome Set - with their lead singer Bid.

Why Music Died After '95 - Forgotten Classics That You Can Spotify #2

Primal Scream – Sonic Flower Groove

Possibly propelled on by the inclusion of debut single B –side ‘Velocity Girl’ on the popular NME C86 compilation and becoming part of the burgeoning ‘80’s indie scene’ (a movement the band later derides as bands who" can't play their instruments and they can't write songs."), Bobby Gillespie decides to give up his full time position as drummer in The Jesus & Mary Chain and concentrate on his ‘other’ band Primal Scream.

Sonic Flower Groove was their first LP released in 1997 and produced by Mayo Thompson of Red Crayola after work with Stephen Street fell apart. The Byrds were a heavy influence and if the sound of jangly, Rickenbackeresque indie pop is your thing (which it is mine) then this is the LP for you. Almost all the songs could be possible singles and what the young Bobbie G lacked in vocal prowess he more than made up for with catchy, summery melodies, like with single ‘Gentle Tuesday’ (below)

The LP was not a great commercial success (reaching number 62 in the UK LP chart) but is believed to have had quite a heavy influence on the Stone Roses debut LP, so fans of that album should certainly have a listen to this forgotten classic.

Check out the whole LP at Spotify

Why Music Died After ‘95 - Forgotten Classics That You Can Spotify

Redskins – Neither Washington Or Moscow

Formed in the early ‘80’s the Redskins were primarily a soul band with socialist punk attitude.

Red Wedge stalwarts they became known as much for their catchy, danceable songs as their extreme left wing leanings. They only manage to record one LP, but what an album that was. Chock full of horn led, motown, rockabilly and punk influenced songs fuelled by melodic, powerful vocals from main man Chris Dean, Neither Washington Or Moscow was a staggering triumph during a time where money spoke & Thatcher ruled.
Several singles were released during the bands life including the classics ‘Lean On Me’, ‘Keep On Keeping On’ and this stand out track ‘Bring It Down’

The Redskins split in 1986. I wonder what they think of the current government after canvassing so hard for the Labour party to be elected in the eighties.
You can check out Neither Washington Or Moscow on Spotify now.