I absolutely loved the horns in Teardrops 'Reward'. That may have been the very first single that I heard from that album. Kind of reminded me of the tail end of The Jam's career. The second time I saw The Jam was in 1982 with the horn section. Absolutely brilliant. >< I am with you 101% on Dexys and also Durutti Column. I have an original pressing of DC's 'Return Of' and I also just picked up the new reissue with the sandpaper sleeve. I wanted a better sounding pressing and Factory Benelux delivered the goods. It sounds really good. It also came with the bonus 7". This was a grade A list of albums Harris. Your ten favorites are all great. My list would probably be a little different. But that doesn't mean that I do not like and own most of the albums that you showed. Always salute your fine taste in music. I definitely connect~ Rob/Boston
Hey Rob, great to watch your video last week too! Yeah that Dexys & Durutti are great.The Durutti Column album called ‘Vini Reilly’ is also fantastic..but hard to find came out in 89. Teardrops had a great horn sound, ‘Treason’ has always been my favourite.Hope all is well in Boston Rob, finally getting a bit chilly here after an Indian summer.I’m off down the pub to watch USA v Wales in the World Cup! Cannot wait! Thanks as ever Rob, always appreciate your views!
Oh man that Adam & the Ants album is great! Grace Jones I never really listened to but checked a couple of songs after your video and it was cool. Have a great day Harris! Cheers
Hey Mika..minus 7 today! Probably T-Shirt weather for you. I see The Kidds flying solo! Yeah that Adam & The Ants is quality..hoping you do a few more solo shows yourself, really enjoyed the last one, was looking into that bit of gear you used, might get that myself, then ..I’m live streaming 7 hours of KC & The Sunshine Band & Barry White..consider that a warning!
@@Harrispilton22 Damn, we had minus 7 this week too. Not a fan of winter. Thanks for the encouragement, I might do a solo stream now and then. You can count on me being present at your stream mate💪 Yup.
Top banana Sir Harris! Another first rate quality audio-visual presentation. I do especially enjoy your dives into your magic era collection. My definition of that era (79-82) perfectly aligns. I think I heard your shout-out refer to “Vinyl George”. Could you put a link to that channel please mate? Searching YT for that only brings me weird results. Maybe I am Mutton Jeff. Cheers and all the best!
Hi Mike, I mentioned ‘Vinyl Ritchie’...but not Vinyl George..the search continues! Thanks for the nice comment, if people didn’t enjoy these I’d stop doing them, so it’s always appreciated!
@@Harrispilton22 Thanks mate! Please don’t stop making these videos, they really make my day. Always interesting and plenty of belly laughs. I don’t want to get all soppy, but you are by far my most favourite TH-camr. These days, probably the best source of entertainment on my telly, to be perfectly honest. BTW, I have the same Technics as you, if yours is also a vintage one. Feels more authentic spinning those ancient vinyls on a Technics. All the best mate 👍
Nice selections, I'll have to check out that Specials release. I have the debut and have been very satisfied with that, but your description of More Of got me interested. Surprised you didn't mention I Just Can't Stop It by The Beat (they were called The English Beat here in the US). Good stuff, cheers!
Hello mate, More Specials is a strange one.It’s stylistically all over the place. Calypso, fairground organs, spaghetti western stuff..It’s a bit like ‘Tusk’ by Fleetwood Mac...everyone bought it...& then half tried to take it back or trade it in! I would have include The Beat...but I sold it! Still got the greatest hits.The other two Beat albums are great too, particulaly ‘Special Beat Service’ which I consider there best!
@@Harrispilton22 Yes on Special Beat Service, it's one of those albums that I knew the lyrics to every song and I always sang along. Nowadays I don't recall every lyric, but after a few spins I'm back on track! A great album for spring time.
Just discovered your channel, don’t know why it took so long, I’ve been watching Vc vids for years, I’m also in uk, Cornwall , like similar stuff punk post punk etc. nice to see stuff that’s not all Beatles, never got them really, I’m 59 years so foundation is in punk and goth.
Hi Bob. My mum & her fellah bought a house in St Ives next to Porthmeor Beech in the eighties (ironically because it was so cheap back then!) absolute gorgeous part of the world. Got a nice little record shop their too.I used to have that Psychadelic Furs album..disappeared..like so many of my records over the years! Thanks for watching Bob, much appreciated!
Next thing ya know, you'll be buying a power conditioner to ensure al of your electrons are facing the correct direction before the electricity enters your amp! I love the Adam Ant + Marco Pirroni combo. They brought out the best in each other.
Hi M!..apparently some audiophiles in Japan are buying their own private electricity supply, so their systems get ‘Pure Electricity’ That’s pushing it in my opinion!
Nice list, Treason is a great tune... must look out for the 12". YMG never heard of... one to check out. The Jam's best album... sound affects. 1980?. Think I've owned a few records that got sanded next to that DC album sleeve...
Hi Johnny.Yes YMG are one of those classic wierd post punk bands that seemed to exist for 5 minutes. Very minimal, but quite poppy. It’s either love or hate with them!
I agree on the 80s! Man, I have to get on this. I made my draft 1980 list ages ago, but haven't done the video. You picked a record on my list (hint: YMG) that I thought no one else would ever choose!
Cheers. Definately would love to see your 80’s list!I always try & guess what people will show, I always tend to get about 4 or 5 right...I reckon yours might be tougher as your tastes are pretty eclectic at times!
Hi Mr Chinos 👖most of your top 10 was perfection for me. The only ones I haven't got are Grace (haven't heard that), Durutti (like them, but haven't got that), and that Specials album but I need to hear it after your description. Teardrop, Elvis, Adam, Killing Joke (magnificent). Young Marble Giants absolutely brilliant. Interesting fact about YMG, is that Alison Statton is now a Chiropractor (yes, I thought you'd like that). I think your love of the Madness album all centres around the large trousers Mr Chinos! Mike
Hi Mike. The Grace album is magnificent.Sly & Robbie doing the business as ever! I think you would like it.More Specials is an odd one.Stlistically all over the place.Fairground Organs, Calypso instrumentals, Dub Reggea, Spaghetti Western..you can tell that it was the Petri dish that produced ‘Ghost Town’ (sadly nothing quite as good as Ghost Town) I think International Jet Set was a single, very odd, it takes a few listens!
Amazing! I don't have a single one of those albums. Pylon, Talking Heads, Wall Of Voodoo EP would be among the records I like from 1980. I have more singles than albums.
Hello Sir! Do you know what , I’m thinking Talking Heads should he’s been included. The opening track on that album is fantastic,& Life During Wartime is fantastic.The clip of them doing it on ‘Stop Making Sense’ is pretty fantastic!
Oh Yeah!......love em all HP!......STeReOTyPE...Law👍dy Mama !!!!.....and later after the split AKA came up with GHoSt ToWN.....I still have ANTMUSIC 45...Perfect description young fella....BURRUNDI & DUANE EDDY....wish I have not misplaced Stand and Deliver OR sold 12 inch Ghostown.....You never disappoint with your vids MR P✊👌!
Thansk David. I maybye should have stuck Talking Heads & The Fall in here, but I struggle with Grotesque After The Gramme. That Special AKA album was a touch disappointing..to be honest if it takes you 4 years to produce a 10 song album..then that’s always a red flag!. Ghost Town is fantastic!
I have never heard of young mable giants but I just listened on Spotify and I like them alot. Thanks again for the recommendation. I like the beat I just can't stop it from 1980
Hi Paul. Yes YMG are a strange one, I actually didn’t like it to begin with..but it sort of crept up on me, very minimal, but you hear different things every listen. I would have had the Beat, but sold that album years ago to a mate , when I needed a few quid, my favourite is Special Beat Service ‘Save it for later’ what a classic track that was!
Great vid & some gems in there! More Specials & Absolutely are classics. Great shout with Killing Joke as well. Correct with Metallica covering ‘The Wait’ too & it was that cover that helped me discover Killing Joke.
Nicely done, some great stuff here and one or two things I really ought to own, but don't! Special mention I think needs to go to Black Sea by XTC and Compass Kumpass by Dalek I. Keep up the good work 🙂
Hi George, I’ve got Black Sea..didn’t quite make the cut. XTC can be a bit quirky for me at times.English Settlement is my favourite.Wonderful Aalborg n.I need to check out Dale I, that’s a new one on me..will investigate!
Yo Harris, a nice uk focused alternative to Vinyl Richies countdowns which i enjoy a lot also. Hes talked about not continuing so much into the 80s....perhaps you should pick up the baton. Id have Scary Monsters right up there for 80, its no game still sounds incredible! Cheers m8
Hi Jon, Scary Monsters would have sat around top 30 for me.I’ve got a rare 12” of Ashes To Ashes which is quite rare..Yes I might keep doing these, so much diversity in the eighties, you’re right it’s mainly British stuff this year, hadn’t noticed that!
Yes that side 1 of Killing Joke is fantastic..I just find it trails off a bit. Adam & The Ants is great.Prince Charming is pretty decent too..but starting to get more commercial Cheers mate, always appreciate you popping over!
Great list! Had no idea that Hole song was a cover. I'm probably wrong but what I think you were trying to differentiate between British and U.S. versions of failing peoples is that British bands tend to reflect a specific vignette of a specific person but it also is a metaphor for alot of blokes. The U.S. bands tend to write big, all-encompassing songs (that seem cinematic) to include everyone in that situation. "Born To Run" is a great example of that. 🍻!
Mate you’ve nailed it! I was thinking about it afterwards.The other key difference Is the English class system, which probably doesn’t exist in American(well not like it does over here..absolutely suffocating!) Bands will define themselves as working class (its cool) therfore will write some withering criticism of middle class life. Acts like Neil Young,Dylan or even Lou Reed, will write those vignettes about individuals ..but they tend to be sympathetic,romantic or glamorous...in England it tends to be scathing...thanks for getting my mind whirring fellah! I always need a welcome distraction.
Warm Leatherette is definitely on my list, I just finally got it back in. I’m still looking to bring back the Adam Ant album, loved that album. What a very great Brit countdown. Springsteen made Epic songs. Great list Harris. I’m working on mine but it is much closer to Vinly Richie’s.
it’s interesting Steve.As I said in the video, the kids of the Windrush generation who had been born in the U.K. were now buying records & in bands, hence The Specials, The Beat, Selector etc & so much Ska/reggae influence with Costello/Madness. Like most, I was in a heavily multi-cultural school in North London & you would go to your mates house & their parents record collections were all these Ska records, because it was happening in London it got assimilated into the whole music culture.I think this list really represents what was going on in U.K.p mainstream culture at the time.
Apologies for gate crashing this thread but I total agree with the assertion that the list represents where Britain was going culturally at the beginning of the 80’s. At least as far as ‘da youth’ were concerned. I had just hit my teens in 1980 and grew up in East Yorkshire, my school was virtually 100% white. We were so un-diverse even Catholics were considered to be exotic, but Dexy’s first album swept my school, no one had any previous exposure to soul music but almost over night every one was walking around in donkey jackets and watch caps, then Madness and Two Tone literally sweep the nation. It might have started in London and the Midlands but in no time everyone was into it, Madness and the Specials in particular really chimed regardless of the cultural make up of different towns and cities. A couple of years later we had a wave of inner city riots and Two Tone and reggae were very much the musical background to those events, which along with the Miners stike in turn spawned a whole wave of politically charges artists, rock against racism, red wedge, artists against apartheid etc. One downside of where things went musically was the skinhead movement was co-opted by the far right so genres like Oi! were tainted by association with bands like Screwdriver and the whole Blood and Honour thing.
Having been 10 in 1980 and remembering hearing so much of that, being into 2 Tone at the time then discovering the goth and industrial scenes I will say that that's one of the strongest '10' lists I've seen. Good one 👍
Thanks for that, much appreciated! .Upin reflection I might have added Talking Heads ‘Remain In Light’ & maybye the Undertones 2nd..but then it would have been a too 12! Thanks for watching
Chinos lol...what you described...here in the states we say "washed" as in "yeah man I used to run the street partying but now Im washed! LOL! Awesome video man....lots of new bands for me to check out! I will start with Dexys.
Hello Mate, yeah Dexys are very Stax /Soul influenced. Maybe check out the songs Geno, There There My Dear, or Seven Days Are Too Long. Fantastic driving horns!
Adam Ant created some great music with and without the Ants. He never gets credit for making a catalog of albums that were very different from each other. And Kings... is amazing. Kilimanjaro is my fave Teardrop Explodes/Julian Cope release. "Treason" is a perfect song IMHO. Get Happy remains my fave Costello album. Jam-packed with 20 great tracks! Durutti Column... glad to see that someone else cares about them! Dexys! Love the Searching... album, although I love Too Rye Ay more (not a popular opinion, though). Madness' Absolutely and 7 are my two fave albums by them. I remember riding my bike to the record store the day Absolutely was released here in the US and buying it! Saw them over here on that tour.... More Specials was such a drastic departure from the debut... and all the better for it! Great choices, sir!
Stephen, yes!..agree with all of the above! I’ve just bought the 12” of ‘Smalltown Boy’ by Bronski Beat..man does that thing sound incredible on a 12”.. an amazing 8 minute arrangement.actually quite moving..I’m sure you’re familiar with it. Thanks for watching, glad you’re back on top form!
@@Harrispilton22 That 8 minute version is the first version I heard. I had a friend who bought the 12" while in the UK and played it for me after he returned. While I love the single edit, there's no way that the 12" version can be beat! And I can't say that about a lot of songs.
Hi Harris, fantastic selection. I have them all with the exception of Killing Joke, so I need to sort that out. Love Kilimanjaro, up there as one of my all time favourites, it’s full tilt from start to finish, it also led me to spend half a life time following the weird and wonderful journey that is Julian Cope’s solo career. Without Copey no interest in megalithic monuments, no discovering kraut rock at such a young and tender age. You think chinos and banana plugs are bad, just wait till you start planning your holidays around visits to stone circles and burial mounds, then you really know middle age has arrived. Andy
Hi Andy, funnily enough this is the only Julian Cope related album I own,which seems strange! I need to find his solo stuff...but they seem hard to find.I had his collection ‘Gloored’ in my hands last year, but it was a bit pricey, regret not buying that now. Cheers mate, appreciate you watching..& commenting!
@@Harrispilton22 Hi Harris, you definitely need to fill that Cope shaped hole! Fried and World Shut your mouth are good early albums, the later albums get more esoteric as he obviously starts to care less about having a hit and does what ever he feels like. He is never less that entertaining!
80s and 50s are twins. Lots of great music with a surface of sheen and image as the memory. So much great music that got overlooked The pop music of both eras can be subversive and vise versa
The word is "cinematic". Love the chinos, bud. I was just testing my new JBL Digital Signal Polisher (DSP) with some older Infinity Reference speakers configured in a Quadrophonic style, and I came across your video. Not enough pro-Chino material on TH-cam for my liking, if you ask me. Anyway. Great list. Lots there that I haven't heard, INCLUDING that Specials LP. Have a good one!
Hello mate. Keep the audiophile flag flying sir! We must stick together..good sound and quality trousers is what I’m all about now! I’m on the lookout for some qoudrophonic Chinos...then my life will be complete! That Specials album is all over the place, but has some amazing moments.Man At C&A is a dub pop masterpiece!
Hi Harris, I’d definitely go for Warm Leatherette for 1980.. especially “Private Life”, such a great song. “Defunkt” by Defunkt was probably my favourite album from that year.. “In the Good Times” & “Strangling Me With Your Love” were classic songs.
Hi Ed! Yeah Warm Leatherette is fantastic,I need to check out Defunkt, they’ve escaped me completely! Let me know if you’re about at all mate, hopefully can catch up at some point!
Before today I didn't know what a Banana Plug is. I still don't, but I'm going to look it up. Do you think I need one?? Those Chinos sound powerful, if they can instigate all those events you described! My top ten would also have Get Happy and More Specials. I think I'd have Undertones - Hypnotized, Talking Heads - Remain In Light, Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School, XTC - Black Sea on my list. And maybe English folksinger/guitarist Nic Jones - Penguin Eggs. But you've given me some things to look into. I think Dexys was considered a bit of a joke band here in North America. To start with, I'm going to search for Searching For the Young Soul Rebels.
Hi Arturo, I had the Undertones album ready to go...just missed out & Ive mentioned in another comment I should have included ‘Remain In Light’ I’ve got that. XTC..just a bit too quirky for me, decent album. I think I would like Nic Jones.I was playing someone an instrumental by the band Felt called ‘Sempiternal Darkness’ & they said it sounded like Nic Jones...so must investigate further!
Hi Dale, I don’t the own any Cure until Kiss Me, which I actually love. Someone said I’d like their early stuff, the bits I’ve heard sound almost like early New Order.Must investigate more.
Understand what you mean about Echo and the Bunnymen, but for me they are definitely more in the neo-psychedelic direction which is why they appeal to me so much, something that U2 definitely weren't. Yeah that fake ringwear on the Costello record always gets me. Colossal Youth is just a sublime record, as is the just as essential Final Day EP/single. Picked up a minty Return of the Durutti Column for an amazing price the other week, I don't think there's anything else like it really. The Who are probably the epitome of that British satirical thing of writing about failure. Can't go wrong with Grace Jones. Surprised people weren't as keen as More Specials at the time, agreed that it's as fantastic as their debut.
Hi Dan, I hadn’t considered The Who..although I’m not a huge fan..maybye that’s why.It just occurred to me that U.K. bands tend to write songs about tragic individuals in a way Americans don’t. Maybye Lou Reed comes closest, but his characters are quite exotic I think Panoramic was the word I was struggling for in respect of Springsteen, .England loves a failure, America loves a success story..that’s my theory anyway! Americans right about characters in a more romantic way,England are more scathing...Great to hear you got a decent Durutti album! Tough to find...& normally expensive! Thanks Dan, hope all is well!
Adam and the Ants is a great choice. I kept saying Echo and the Bunneymen while showing the Psychedelic Furs. Not familiar with early Dexy. No one in the US heard of them until MTV started playing Come On Ilene. I did not care for that song.
I just rewatched your video & realised I’ve made the same mistake as you!..although I’ve never heard that Psychadelic Furs album, need to check it out., couple of people have said it’s a great album.
I remember The Jam , Talking Heads , Pretenders were all in my Top 10 for that year .. Metallica did cover The Wait & Foo Fighters had a go at Requiem. I threw a few dollar 💵 down on Denmark 🇩🇰 to win in Quatar .. Can't have a beer !
I remember me & my mate watching Southampton sober once, we turned to each other and said ‘Do you think it’s always this bad!’ Optimistic with Denmark David...surely they’re the Norwich of world football? Your boys playing tomorrow I think? Wales?..what a cracker that should be. Bale’s last hurrah!
Love your humor and vids. You are a music critic from the 80s in taste. Kinda know what you like and especially dislike.. There is no best decade. People think the decade they grew up in is the best. Rock on.
Hi Anthony, thanks for that! Lovely comment. I certainly do love the eighties, bands could start using machines.Look at Blue Monday by New Order, they only wrote it so they could leave the stage while the sequencers did all the work, things like that always appeal to me!
Chinos & banana plugs!!! What a bitter pill to swallow Harris. With the support of your friends & family I'm sure you can get through this difficult time. Adam & the Ants were huge in Australia too! I agree with your Teardrop & Echo comparison. Thatcher's Britain 😂the ring wear tyrants! Great choices Durutti, Elvis, Young Marble Giants, Dexy's first one, Madness, Grace, Specials...all favourites in my house and because of these great picks you're making me rethink the whole chino's/banana plugs thing.....nah! Cheers...Ben
I used my Banana Plugs as a belt for the Chinos today..I immediately felt unstoppable....Qoudrophonic trousers! Form a queue girls! Good to see you like a few of these.I still want to know if you’ve got anything by The Moles!
@@Harrispilton22 Ha, ha the image that conjures up of you strutting down the street in that get up! I don’t have anything by the Moles. You’ve stumped me with that one Harris.
@@benrankins4446 I’m genuinely suprised.I’ve just discovered them!..late eighties indie band from Sydney..Their single ‘Propeller’ is great, sort of Flying Nun meets The Wedding Present.My mate played me their ep Tendrills & Paracetomol..also great.
Ha ha, love the chinos! Once you get to a certain age you don't give a stuff about what you dress in - chinos, no probs, cargo pants, why not. Browns? go for it.....😀Grace Jones has a knack of making cover versions her own; Private Life is brilliant, and she did Walking In The Rain by our own Flash and the Pan (Vanda & Young) I hope you continue the journey through the 80's, loved this one. 👍Cheers from Oz John D.
Hello mate. Yes Grace’s 4 album run is pretty stellar tbh! I never knew who did ‘Walking In The Rain.Catastrophe for the poms...but Neighbours is back on Amazon prime! It’s been a bitter sweet week in the U.K. Order has been restored!..& Toadfish is still in paid work! Absolute result!
Hello Mate.It’s odd..I just can’t get on with Joy Division, I’ve tried.I actually think their Substance Compilation is their best. She’s Lost Control & Digital are fantastic, I just can’t buy into them,I don’t know why! I love New Order.Thanks for watching fellah!
Love some Killing Joke. I need that one. Got back into Adam Ant in recent years. Goody two shoes hooked me. Great list man. Some bands Ive heard of over the years but never picked up like Young Marble and Teardrop. Nice pick with the Grace Jones LP. I never listen to it much beyond the Warm Letherette cover. American pop is a bit more grandiose its true.
Hey Jason..yes I think the word ‘Cinematic’ was the I was looking for...when Americans write about a character it tends to be a bit more romantic or sympathetic..in England it can be quite critical/cynical..I think that Grace Jones is great..probably her best imo.That Terdrops is quite poppy, probably let down a bit by the production.Cheers Fellah, hope all is good with you!
Thanks. Great that we both picked two of the lesser known albums YMG & Durutti..which share a simialiar aestheric. I have no idea why i didn't pick 'Remain In light'..ive got two copies as well!
@@Harrispilton22 Yes, your picks were so superb and I loved your commentary on ‘The Return of The Durutti Column’ in particular 👏 You are correct to say that the Durutti and YMG albums released this year had a similar aesthetic, and both albums are masterful and hold up today. ‘Remain in Light’ is such an awesome album, and I’m pleased to discover you’re a fan of it too! Best wishes, Christian
Agree with Absolutely as OSB had some silly tracks attached. And off course in my top 10. Then came the pop band from there onwards. Half season with new manager let's see !!
Chinos 😲😲😲 what is the world coming too , my flabber has never been so ghasted !!! You will find some ska type influences in early Costello stuff because he produced some Specials stuff and I'm sure costello released one of his early tunes on the Twotone label. I've got that second specials LP,complete with the free poster and 7" single. Enjoy Yourself was a prince Buster cover and yes Jerry Dammers went a bit cracker jack on the album !!! Some members of the specials were growing tired of the almost constant touring and promoting and living in each others pockets etc... they were knackered,fed up and getting argumentative and wanted a break and rest,that's what caused the split. Dexys-There there my dear....bloody fantastic 👍👍👍
Hello Nick! Lucky you can’t see my Crocs! Sorry I wanted to comment on your last Reggea/Ska video, but every time I comment on anyone’s video bar my own I get pulled up for spam/abuse & they threaten to pull my channel! I’ve messaged TH-cam about it today! It’s a joke. I knew you’d have the two tone knowledge Just listened to Man at C&A what a masterclass that is ..incredible. That Costello album is great, not played it for a few years ‘Human Touch’ & ‘I Stand Accused’ two of his best.Hope you are keeping well sir!
Ha, haI don’t own it fellah! I used to..I was just old enough for two tone to be my first musical love, I also love ‘Speacial Beat Service’ massively underrated.
One day you're chasing the girls, next you're chasing the toilets!! Killing joke, agree, Ants huge, Echo yes could be accused at the time of being a bit 'up' themselves. Gonna get the Teardrop explodes (although seen for £10 : ( ). Sleeve of the repress is better I think. Madness, underrated as classic British, certainly classic 80s. As is the More Specials. Some killer 80s pics Whats does it say on the Grace LP (top right) Leica ???
Ha ha! Yeah true! I could never quite buy into Ian McCullough..my girlfriend at the time was obsessed by him..which probably didn’t help!.That Teardrops is probably a £10.00 record tbf...but it can occasionally slip through the net at around £6/7.Yes always loved Madness.Mike Barson absolute genius & Jerry Dammers odf course!
@@Harrispilton22 We like a bit of £6/7 for a £10 record...oh the power, the intoxicating bargain of it. I would go as far to say that Madness were very underrated, to have that many household hits. I can almost remember the smell of Autumn 1980 when Baggy Trousers came out, not many records can do that. PS got a pair of Chinos somewhere, it comes to us all
Just recently listened to that Specials album a couple weeks back, surprised myself by how much I really enjoyed it, it's a great choice for #1. Dexy's Midnight Runners isn't really thought of any more or less of joke here in the States than any other one hit wonder. Come on Eileen was the one hit, don't believe I even know what the follow up single was let alone heard it. You've not gone full audiophile yet, you're still too likable a fellow, maybe put in more time and work on perfecting a condescending vocal tone as well an overall insufferable disposition 🙃.
Hi Marcia!Thanks for the homework! I’ll work on it! Yes I think that’s what I was getting at with Dexys.In the U.K. that were already a quite credible act (a similiar status as The Jam, Human League,Soft Cell etc) whereas in America I think they were viewed as a novelty.Glad you liked ‘More Specials’ I found it a crushing dissapoint at the time, but grew to really love it, it really is a snapshot of the U.K. 1980. A strange & slighly odd time...unlike now...where it’s just sheer terror!!! Thanks for commenting as ever Marcia, I really appreciate it!
Another channel said The Specials first album was so good that the record label that signed them said hurry up and make a new album so we can make more money off you guys while your still popular. Well they gave them maybe 6 months which isn't enough time to come up with great songs.
Hello mate! To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone telling Jerry Dammers what to do!..it’s a record I really enjoy..listen to ‘Man At C&A’ ..it has to be one of the best constructed pop records ever..those horns are just so evocative of the fear of nuclear war around 80/81..just incredible..give it another listen! :)
Completely off topic (a tactic you employ always so brilliantly), I was listening to Chicken Shack’s 1972 “Imagination Lady” record yesterday for the very first time and I thought, “my God, this is grunge music!!” and it was recorded in 1972. Those Seattle grunge must have been influenced by “Imagination Lady”. Much to your point about Adam Ant being covered by Wired Magazine if was released today. Actually, a friend just commented that 1972 Chicken Shack sounded just like the band, “Rush”. I’d have never made that association as I detest Rush. Never listen to them. That Geddy Lee's voice is an anathema to me. Anyway, you get my point, right?
ha,ha, I had a running joke about Rush on my videos..which is why my Canada audience sits at about 3! Yes music is all about context. I remember when I first heard the song ‘Crazy Horses’, in the early nineties..I was like ‘This is the greatest riff I’ve ever heard!..my mate then told me it was The Osmonds’...I still think it’s the greatest riff Zeppelin never wrote! Musics a strange thing.So many of our opinions (including mine) are driven. by tastemakers.Alan Static Traveller did an interesting video where he said it’s almost impossible to form an opinion about music without being weighed down by some sort of critical baggage. Are Can any good? I actually don’t know..I’ve been told their good..so I think they’re good! I do know Rush are rubbish though!
@@Harrispilton22 "Crazy Horses" is dreadful. How can I unhear that?!! Thanks for the reminder to revisit Teardrop Explodes. I had been looking for a definitive album from them. Perhaps it will be Kilimanjaro. I saw them in San Francisco when they first toured. Julian Cope was an amazing front man.
@@ricefieldrecords ha, I love crazy horses.I reckon that’s the best Teardrops album, production isn’t the best though.I know Rob Walker swears by ‘Wilder’ Julian Cope did a great autobiography called ‘Head-On’ which is fantastic.I’m reading it now.
@@Harrispilton22 I listened to "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" this morning and I still have goosebumps. Someone please tell me what he does with his mouth. Is that British yodelling? Dexys' printed lyric sheets never match the songs. But Oh, that trombone. Makes up for the missing lyrics every time. A true masterpiece!!!
80's? Lambasted for 30-40 yrs as a weak decade for music, and not just the pop/rock genre. The Right Wing took over and 'culture' went down the proverbial, in the UK and USA. As to your list: Killing Joke, I'm not laughing, should you be killed, for this list? In your defence I did buy YMGiants, ''Final day'' ep in 1980 and Warm Leatherette. As to the best- Eno's Ambient 2, Hassell's Possible Musics, Vitous's First Meeting .....noteworthy heavy hitters I can think of from that year.
I thought you might go to town on me with this list Mike.. but apart from s pondering whether I should be killed..I’ve come out of this relatively unharmed! Grace’s version of ‘Warm Leatherette’ equal if not superior to The Normals version imo. ‘Final Day’ magnificent stuff.
@@Harrispilton22 Not sure what town me and you could go to, you'd be lusting for Benidorm or Basildon based on this poptastic list. Grace's early Lps still sound pretty good today, not easy for pop to achieve much longevity. Her version much better than the Normals annoying one. I'd have the Lp in my top 1000 from 1980 most likely, if I had the chance to listen to the other 50000 or so issued that year. I do remember singing the Specials Stereotype tune a lot that year, so catchy.
Chinos.......no, no, no! Sorry Harris, you've just turned into Nigel Havers for me.......just to much. What's next.... ditch the baseball cap for a panama? just wrong!
I absolutely loved the horns in Teardrops 'Reward'. That may have been the very first single that I heard from that album. Kind of reminded me of the tail end of The Jam's career. The second time I saw The Jam was in 1982 with the horn section. Absolutely brilliant. >< I am with you 101% on Dexys and also Durutti Column. I have an original pressing of DC's 'Return Of' and I also just picked up the new reissue with the sandpaper sleeve. I wanted a better sounding pressing and Factory Benelux delivered the goods. It sounds really good. It also came with the bonus 7". This was a grade A list of albums Harris. Your ten favorites are all great. My list would probably be a little different. But that doesn't mean that I do not like and own most of the albums that you showed. Always salute your fine taste in music. I definitely connect~
Rob/Boston
Hey Rob, great to watch your video last week too! Yeah that Dexys & Durutti are great.The Durutti Column album called ‘Vini Reilly’ is also fantastic..but hard to find came out in 89. Teardrops had a great horn sound, ‘Treason’ has always been my favourite.Hope all is well in Boston Rob, finally getting a bit chilly here after an Indian summer.I’m off down the pub to watch USA v Wales in the World Cup! Cannot wait! Thanks as ever Rob, always appreciate your views!
Oh man that Adam & the Ants album is great! Grace Jones I never really listened to but checked a couple of songs after your video and it was cool. Have a great day Harris! Cheers
Hey Mika..minus 7 today! Probably T-Shirt weather for you. I see The Kidds flying solo! Yeah that Adam & The Ants is quality..hoping you do a few more solo shows yourself, really enjoyed the last one, was looking into that bit of gear you used, might get that myself, then ..I’m live streaming 7 hours of KC & The Sunshine Band & Barry White..consider that a warning!
@@Harrispilton22 Damn, we had minus 7 this week too. Not a fan of winter. Thanks for the encouragement, I might do a solo stream now and then. You can count on me being present at your stream mate💪 Yup.
@@DrOktober Yeah check Stevies ok...minus 12 in Glasgow yesterday morning!!!
Top banana Sir Harris! Another first rate quality audio-visual presentation. I do especially enjoy your dives into your magic era collection. My definition of that era (79-82) perfectly aligns. I think I heard your shout-out refer to “Vinyl George”. Could you put a link to that channel please mate? Searching YT for that only brings me weird results. Maybe I am Mutton Jeff.
Cheers and all the best!
Hi Mike, I mentioned ‘Vinyl Ritchie’...but not Vinyl George..the search continues! Thanks for the nice comment, if people didn’t enjoy these I’d stop doing them, so it’s always appreciated!
@@Harrispilton22 Thanks mate! Please don’t stop making these videos, they really make my day. Always interesting and plenty of belly laughs. I don’t want to get all soppy, but you are by far my most favourite TH-camr. These days, probably the best source of entertainment on my telly, to be perfectly honest. BTW, I have the same Technics as you, if yours is also a vintage one. Feels more authentic spinning those ancient vinyls on a Technics. All the best mate 👍
Nice selections, I'll have to check out that Specials release. I have the debut and have been very satisfied with that, but your description of More Of got me interested. Surprised you didn't mention I Just Can't Stop It by The Beat (they were called The English Beat here in the US). Good stuff, cheers!
Hello mate, More Specials is a strange one.It’s stylistically all over the place. Calypso, fairground organs, spaghetti western stuff..It’s a bit like ‘Tusk’ by Fleetwood Mac...everyone bought it...& then half tried to take it back or trade it in! I would have include The Beat...but I sold it! Still got the greatest hits.The other two Beat albums are great too, particulaly ‘Special Beat Service’ which I consider there best!
@@Harrispilton22 Yes on Special Beat Service, it's one of those albums that I knew the lyrics to every song and I always sang along. Nowadays I don't recall every lyric, but after a few spins I'm back on track! A great album for spring time.
Interesting list of 1980s albums. There were quite a few that I were unaware of.
hey thanks Tommy, yeah a few Leftfield picks here. Thanks mate!
Just discovered your channel, don’t know why it took so long, I’ve been watching Vc vids for years, I’m also in uk, Cornwall , like similar stuff punk post punk etc. nice to see stuff that’s not all Beatles, never got them really, I’m 59 years so foundation is in punk and goth.
Hi Bob. My mum & her fellah bought a house in St Ives next to Porthmeor Beech in the eighties (ironically because it was so cheap back then!) absolute gorgeous part of the world. Got a nice little record shop their too.I used to have that Psychadelic Furs album..disappeared..like so many of my records over the years! Thanks for watching Bob, much appreciated!
Next thing ya know, you'll be buying a power conditioner to ensure al of your electrons are facing the correct direction before the electricity enters your amp!
I love the Adam Ant + Marco Pirroni combo. They brought out the best in each other.
Hi M!..apparently some audiophiles in Japan are buying their own private electricity supply, so their systems get ‘Pure Electricity’ That’s pushing it in my opinion!
Nice list, Treason is a great tune... must look out for the 12". YMG never heard of... one to check out.
The Jam's best album... sound affects. 1980?.
Think I've owned a few records that got sanded next to that DC album sleeve...
Hi Johnny.Yes YMG are one of those classic wierd post punk bands that seemed to exist for 5 minutes. Very minimal, but quite poppy. It’s either love or hate with them!
I agree on the 80s! Man, I have to get on this. I made my draft 1980 list ages ago, but haven't done the video. You picked a record on my list (hint: YMG) that I thought no one else would ever choose!
Cheers. Definately would love to see your 80’s list!I always try & guess what people will show, I always tend to get about 4 or 5 right...I reckon yours might be tougher as your tastes are pretty eclectic at times!
Hi Mr Chinos 👖most of your top 10 was perfection for me. The only ones I haven't got are Grace (haven't heard that), Durutti (like them, but haven't got that), and that Specials album but I need to hear it after your description. Teardrop, Elvis, Adam, Killing Joke (magnificent). Young Marble Giants absolutely brilliant. Interesting fact about YMG, is that Alison Statton is now a Chiropractor (yes, I thought you'd like that). I think your love of the Madness album all centres around the large trousers Mr Chinos! Mike
Hi Mike. The Grace album is magnificent.Sly & Robbie doing the business as ever! I think you would like it.More Specials is an odd one.Stlistically all over the place.Fairground Organs, Calypso instrumentals, Dub Reggea, Spaghetti Western..you can tell that it was the Petri dish that produced ‘Ghost Town’ (sadly nothing quite as good as Ghost Town) I think International Jet Set was a single, very odd, it takes a few listens!
Great List, just picked that Elvis Costello last week. Agree Adam Ant was ahead of his time. Have a great week!!
Thanks Greg, That ‘Get Happy” is fantastic ‘Human Touch’ ‘I stand Accused’ great stuff. The slower songs stuff like ‘Motel Matches’ are also fantastic
Amazing! I don't have a single one of those albums. Pylon, Talking Heads, Wall Of Voodoo EP would be among the records I like from 1980. I have more singles than albums.
Hello Sir! Do you know what , I’m thinking Talking Heads should he’s been included. The opening track on that album is fantastic,& Life During Wartime is fantastic.The clip of them doing it on ‘Stop Making Sense’ is pretty fantastic!
@@Harrispilton22
I should have mentioned The Feelies Crazy Rhythms! I play it more than most nowadays.
@@mistery-ed7900 I don’t own that Feelies....but I really like it, I love that scratchy guitar sound!
Oh Yeah!......love em all HP!......STeReOTyPE...Law👍dy Mama !!!!.....and later after the split AKA came up with GHoSt ToWN.....I still have ANTMUSIC 45...Perfect description young fella....BURRUNDI & DUANE EDDY....wish I have not misplaced Stand and Deliver OR sold 12 inch Ghostown.....You never disappoint with your vids MR P✊👌!
Thansk David. I maybye should have stuck Talking Heads & The Fall in here, but I struggle with Grotesque After The Gramme. That Special AKA album was a touch disappointing..to be honest if it takes you 4 years to produce a 10 song album..then that’s always a red flag!. Ghost Town is fantastic!
I have never heard of young mable giants but I just listened on Spotify and I like them alot. Thanks again for the recommendation. I like the beat I just can't stop it from 1980
Hi Paul. Yes YMG are a strange one, I actually didn’t like it to begin with..but it sort of crept up on me, very minimal, but you hear different things every listen. I would have had the Beat, but sold that album years ago to a mate , when I needed a few quid, my favourite is Special Beat Service ‘Save it for later’ what a classic track that was!
@@Harrispilton22 yes that album is great the thing with ska albums is they can sound samey
I can't get bouncing babies by The Teardrop Explodes ..
Great vid & some gems in there! More Specials & Absolutely are classics. Great shout with Killing Joke as well. Correct with Metallica covering ‘The Wait’ too & it was that cover that helped me discover Killing Joke.
Yeah love that Killing joke & the follow up.I thought Metallica did that..I’m guessing on their early covers ep? Had the Misfits on to right?
@@Harrispilton22 that’s the one 👍
Nicely done, some great stuff here and one or two things I really ought to own, but don't!
Special mention I think needs to go to Black Sea by XTC and Compass Kumpass by Dalek I.
Keep up the good work 🙂
Hi George, I’ve got Black Sea..didn’t quite make the cut. XTC can be a bit quirky for me at times.English Settlement is my favourite.Wonderful Aalborg n.I need to check out Dale I, that’s a new one on me..will investigate!
Yo Harris, a nice uk focused alternative to Vinyl Richies countdowns which i enjoy a lot also. Hes talked about not continuing so much into the 80s....perhaps you should pick up the baton. Id have Scary Monsters right up there for 80, its no game still sounds incredible! Cheers m8
Hi Jon, Scary Monsters would have sat around top 30 for me.I’ve got a rare 12” of Ashes To Ashes which is quite rare..Yes I might keep doing these, so much diversity in the eighties, you’re right it’s mainly British stuff this year, hadn’t noticed that!
Killing Joke and Adam and the Ants would be my 1 and 2. Great video as always, take care!
Yes that side 1 of Killing Joke is fantastic..I just find it trails off a bit. Adam & The Ants is great.Prince Charming is pretty decent too..but starting to get more commercial Cheers mate, always appreciate you popping over!
Adam Ant is an amazing musician. I like seeing him live he puts on amazing concerts.
Hey 89!...yeah Adam Ant is an incredible performer, love his solo album too.Unferrated!
Great list! Had no idea that Hole song was a cover. I'm probably wrong but what I think you were trying to differentiate between British and U.S. versions of failing peoples is that British bands tend to reflect a specific vignette of a specific person but it also is a metaphor for alot of blokes. The U.S. bands tend to write big, all-encompassing songs (that seem cinematic) to include everyone in that situation. "Born To Run" is a great example of that. 🍻!
Mate you’ve nailed it! I was thinking about it afterwards.The other key difference Is the English class system, which probably doesn’t exist in American(well not like it does over here..absolutely suffocating!) Bands will define themselves as working class (its cool) therfore will write some withering criticism of middle class life. Acts like Neil Young,Dylan or even Lou Reed, will write those vignettes about individuals ..but they tend to be sympathetic,romantic or glamorous...in England it tends to be scathing...thanks for getting my mind whirring fellah! I always need a welcome distraction.
Warm Leatherette is definitely on my list, I just finally got it back in. I’m still looking to bring back the Adam Ant album, loved that album. What a very great Brit countdown. Springsteen made Epic songs. Great list Harris. I’m working on mine but it is much closer to Vinly Richie’s.
it’s interesting Steve.As I said in the video, the kids of the Windrush generation who had been born in the U.K. were now buying records & in bands, hence The Specials, The Beat, Selector etc & so much Ska/reggae influence with Costello/Madness. Like most, I was in a heavily multi-cultural school in North London & you would go to your mates house & their parents record collections were all these Ska records, because it was happening in London it got assimilated into the whole music culture.I think this list really represents what was going on in U.K.p mainstream culture at the time.
Apologies for gate crashing this thread but I total agree with the assertion that the list represents where Britain was going culturally at the beginning of the 80’s. At least as far as ‘da youth’ were concerned. I had just hit my teens in 1980 and grew up in East Yorkshire, my school was virtually 100% white. We were so un-diverse even Catholics were considered to be exotic, but Dexy’s first album swept my school, no one had any previous exposure to soul music but almost over night every one was walking around in donkey jackets and watch caps, then Madness and Two Tone literally sweep the nation. It might have started in London and the Midlands but in no time everyone was into it, Madness and the Specials in particular really chimed regardless of the cultural make up of different towns and cities. A couple of years later we had a wave of inner city riots and Two Tone and reggae were very much the musical background to those events, which along with the Miners stike in turn spawned a whole wave of politically charges artists, rock against racism, red wedge, artists against apartheid etc. One downside of where things went musically was the skinhead movement was co-opted by the far right so genres like Oi! were tainted by association with bands like Screwdriver and the whole Blood and Honour thing.
Having been 10 in 1980 and remembering hearing so much of that, being into 2 Tone at the time then discovering the goth and industrial scenes I will say that that's one of the strongest '10' lists I've seen. Good one 👍
Thanks for that, much appreciated! .Upin reflection I might have added Talking Heads ‘Remain In Light’ & maybye the Undertones 2nd..but then it would have been a too 12! Thanks for watching
@ Harris Pilton there's *a lot* that could scrape a place from 1980 lol.
@@shb8124 Definately!
Chinos lol...what you described...here in the states we say "washed" as in "yeah man I used to run the street partying but now Im washed! LOL! Awesome video man....lots of new bands for me to check out! I will start with Dexys.
Hello Mate, yeah Dexys are very Stax /Soul influenced. Maybe check out the songs Geno, There There My Dear, or Seven Days Are Too Long. Fantastic driving horns!
Adam Ant created some great music with and without the Ants. He never gets credit for making a catalog of albums that were very different from each other. And Kings... is amazing. Kilimanjaro is my fave Teardrop Explodes/Julian Cope release. "Treason" is a perfect song IMHO. Get Happy remains my fave Costello album. Jam-packed with 20 great tracks! Durutti Column... glad to see that someone else cares about them! Dexys! Love the Searching... album, although I love Too Rye Ay more (not a popular opinion, though). Madness' Absolutely and 7 are my two fave albums by them. I remember riding my bike to the record store the day Absolutely was released here in the US and buying it! Saw them over here on that tour.... More Specials was such a drastic departure from the debut... and all the better for it! Great choices, sir!
Stephen, yes!..agree with all of the above! I’ve just bought the 12” of ‘Smalltown Boy’ by Bronski Beat..man does that thing sound incredible on a 12”.. an amazing 8 minute arrangement.actually quite moving..I’m sure you’re familiar with it. Thanks for watching, glad you’re back on top form!
@@Harrispilton22 That 8 minute version is the first version I heard. I had a friend who bought the 12" while in the UK and played it for me after he returned. While I love the single edit, there's no way that the 12" version can be beat! And I can't say that about a lot of songs.
Teardrop explodes Treason. Thank you .post punk great stuff in the uk.Adam ant .good looking guy I like a few videos
Thanks Dino..appreciate your kind words! ‘Treason’ is my favourite too! 😊
Hi Harris, fantastic selection. I have them all with the exception of Killing Joke, so I need to sort that out. Love Kilimanjaro, up there as one of my all time favourites, it’s full tilt from start to finish, it also led me to spend half a life time following the weird and wonderful journey that is Julian Cope’s solo career. Without Copey no interest in megalithic monuments, no discovering kraut rock at such a young and tender age. You think chinos and banana plugs are bad, just wait till you start planning your holidays around visits to stone circles and burial mounds, then you really know middle age has arrived. Andy
Hi Andy, funnily enough this is the only Julian Cope related album I own,which seems strange! I need to find his solo stuff...but they seem hard to find.I had his collection ‘Gloored’ in my hands last year, but it was a bit pricey, regret not buying that now. Cheers mate, appreciate you watching..& commenting!
@@Harrispilton22 Hi Harris, you definitely need to fill that Cope shaped hole! Fried and World Shut your mouth are good early albums, the later albums get more esoteric as he obviously starts to care less about having a hit and does what ever he feels like. He is never less that entertaining!
80s and 50s are twins. Lots of great music with a surface of sheen and image as the memory. So much great music that got overlooked
The pop music of both eras can be subversive and vise versa
Yes Anthony, certainly are similiarities .Both decades had a lot of innovation & at times novelty(which I always enjoy) Thats a decent observation.
The word is "cinematic". Love the chinos, bud. I was just testing my new JBL Digital Signal Polisher (DSP) with some older Infinity Reference speakers configured in a Quadrophonic style, and I came across your video. Not enough pro-Chino material on TH-cam for my liking, if you ask me. Anyway. Great list. Lots there that I haven't heard, INCLUDING that Specials LP. Have a good one!
Hello mate. Keep the audiophile flag flying sir! We must stick together..good sound and quality trousers is what I’m all about now! I’m on the lookout for some qoudrophonic Chinos...then my life will be complete! That Specials album is all over the place, but has some amazing moments.Man At C&A is a dub pop masterpiece!
Hi Harris, I’d definitely go for Warm Leatherette for 1980.. especially “Private Life”, such a great song. “Defunkt” by Defunkt was probably my favourite album from that year.. “In the Good Times” & “Strangling Me With Your Love” were classic songs.
Hi Ed! Yeah Warm Leatherette is fantastic,I need to check out Defunkt, they’ve escaped me completely! Let me know if you’re about at all mate, hopefully can catch up at some point!
Defunkt were superb. Especially the 1st few albums & EP. Very Punk/Funk No Wave.
Definitely up for a meet up. Am around all wk apart from tomorrow.
@@Ed-Topo-108 cool, I’ll ping you a text once I’ve looked at the work calendar tomorrow!
Before today I didn't know what a Banana Plug is. I still don't, but I'm going to look it up. Do you think I need one?? Those Chinos sound powerful, if they can instigate all those events you described!
My top ten would also have Get Happy and More Specials. I think I'd have Undertones - Hypnotized, Talking Heads - Remain In Light, Warren Zevon - Bad Luck Streak In Dancing School, XTC - Black Sea on my list. And maybe English folksinger/guitarist Nic Jones - Penguin Eggs. But you've given me some things to look into. I think Dexys was considered a bit of a joke band here in North America. To start with, I'm going to search for Searching For the Young Soul Rebels.
Hi Arturo, I had the Undertones album ready to go...just missed out & Ive mentioned in another comment I should have included ‘Remain In Light’ I’ve got that. XTC..just a bit too quirky for me, decent album. I think I would like Nic Jones.I was playing someone an instrumental by the band Felt called ‘Sempiternal Darkness’ & they said it sounded like Nic Jones...so must investigate further!
Nice list Harris. A few that would make my list. I think I'd have Dexys, Kate Bush and the Cure top three - not sure of the order though...
Hi Dale, I don’t the own any Cure until Kiss Me, which I actually love. Someone said I’d like their early stuff, the bits I’ve heard sound almost like early New Order.Must investigate more.
@@Harrispilton22 1980's Seventeen Seconds and also Faith are worth exploring for that early Cure sound
Understand what you mean about Echo and the Bunnymen, but for me they are definitely more in the neo-psychedelic direction which is why they appeal to me so much, something that U2 definitely weren't. Yeah that fake ringwear on the Costello record always gets me. Colossal Youth is just a sublime record, as is the just as essential Final Day EP/single. Picked up a minty Return of the Durutti Column for an amazing price the other week, I don't think there's anything else like it really. The Who are probably the epitome of that British satirical thing of writing about failure. Can't go wrong with Grace Jones. Surprised people weren't as keen as More Specials at the time, agreed that it's as fantastic as their debut.
Hi Dan, I hadn’t considered The Who..although I’m not a huge fan..maybye that’s why.It just occurred to me that U.K. bands tend to write songs about tragic individuals in a way Americans don’t. Maybye Lou Reed comes closest, but his characters are quite exotic I think Panoramic was the word I was struggling for in respect of Springsteen, .England loves a failure, America loves a success story..that’s my theory anyway! Americans right about characters in a more romantic way,England are more scathing...Great to hear you got a decent Durutti album! Tough to find...& normally expensive! Thanks Dan, hope all is well!
Adam and the Ants is a great choice. I kept saying Echo and the Bunneymen while showing the Psychedelic Furs. Not familiar with early Dexy. No one in the US heard of them until MTV started playing Come On Ilene. I did not care for that song.
I just rewatched your video & realised I’ve made the same mistake as you!..although I’ve never heard that Psychadelic Furs album, need to check it out., couple of people have said it’s a great album.
I remember The Jam , Talking Heads , Pretenders were all in my Top 10 for that year .. Metallica did cover The Wait & Foo Fighters had a go at Requiem. I threw a few dollar 💵 down on Denmark 🇩🇰 to win in Quatar .. Can't have a beer !
I remember me & my mate watching Southampton sober once, we turned to each other and said ‘Do you think it’s always this bad!’ Optimistic with Denmark David...surely they’re the Norwich of world football? Your boys playing tomorrow I think? Wales?..what a cracker that should be. Bale’s last hurrah!
Love your humor and vids. You are a music critic from the 80s in taste. Kinda know what you like and especially dislike.. There is no best decade. People think the decade they grew up in is the best. Rock on.
Hi Anthony, thanks for that! Lovely comment. I certainly do love the eighties, bands could start using machines.Look at Blue Monday by New Order, they only wrote it so they could leave the stage while the sequencers did all the work, things like that always appeal to me!
Chinos & banana plugs!!! What a bitter pill to swallow Harris. With the support of your friends & family I'm sure you can get through this difficult time.
Adam & the Ants were huge in Australia too! I agree with your Teardrop & Echo comparison. Thatcher's Britain 😂the ring wear tyrants! Great choices Durutti, Elvis, Young Marble Giants, Dexy's first one, Madness, Grace, Specials...all favourites in my house and because of these great picks you're making me rethink the whole chino's/banana plugs thing.....nah!
Cheers...Ben
I used my Banana Plugs as a belt for the Chinos today..I immediately felt unstoppable....Qoudrophonic trousers! Form a queue girls! Good to see you like a few of these.I still want to know if you’ve got anything by The Moles!
@@Harrispilton22 Ha, ha the image that conjures up of you strutting down the street in that get up! I don’t have anything by the Moles. You’ve stumped me with that one Harris.
@@benrankins4446 I’m genuinely suprised.I’ve just discovered them!..late eighties indie band from Sydney..Their single ‘Propeller’ is great, sort of Flying Nun meets The Wedding Present.My mate played me their ep Tendrills & Paracetomol..also great.
@@Harrispilton22 That sounds right up my alley. I’m officially on the hunt. Thanks for the tip mate 👍
Ha ha, love the chinos! Once you get to a certain age you don't give a stuff about what you dress in - chinos, no probs, cargo pants, why not. Browns? go for it.....😀Grace Jones has a knack of making cover versions her own; Private Life is brilliant, and she did Walking In The Rain by our own Flash and the Pan (Vanda & Young) I hope you continue the journey through the 80's, loved this one. 👍Cheers from Oz John D.
Hello mate. Yes Grace’s 4 album run is pretty stellar tbh! I never knew who did ‘Walking In The Rain.Catastrophe for the poms...but Neighbours is back on Amazon prime! It’s been a bitter sweet week in the U.K. Order has been restored!..& Toadfish is still in paid work! Absolute result!
@@Harrispilton22 Yeah, you gave us convicts, we give you Neighbours in return...fair swap!!🤣
@@downundertuneage3875 Have you got room for Rolf!
@@Harrispilton22 nope. finders keepers........
Get Happy is one of my favorite albums ever!
cheers! Yes fantastic album .Nick Lowes production is fantastic. ‘I stand Accused’ & Human Touch’ are my favourites
Hi Harris,
great to see a 1980 Top 10 without all those crap hardrock/heavy metal albums other VC members usually put in. But no "Closer"?
Hello Mate.It’s odd..I just can’t get on with Joy Division, I’ve tried.I actually think their Substance Compilation is their best. She’s Lost Control & Digital are fantastic, I just can’t buy into them,I don’t know why! I love New Order.Thanks for watching fellah!
Best for me psychedelics furs debut, India is bliss, the whole album is fantastic one of my always go to .
Love some Killing Joke. I need that one. Got back into Adam Ant in recent years. Goody two shoes hooked me. Great list man. Some bands Ive heard of over the years but never picked up like Young Marble and Teardrop. Nice pick with the Grace Jones LP. I never listen to it much beyond the Warm Letherette cover.
American pop is a bit more grandiose its true.
Hey Jason..yes I think the word ‘Cinematic’ was the I was looking for...when Americans write about a character it tends to be a bit more romantic or sympathetic..in England it can be quite critical/cynical..I think that Grace Jones is great..probably her best imo.That Terdrops is quite poppy, probably let down a bit by the production.Cheers Fellah, hope all is good with you!
Loved this vid!
Thanks. Great that we both picked two of the lesser known albums YMG & Durutti..which share a simialiar aestheric. I have no idea why i didn't pick 'Remain In light'..ive got two copies as well!
@@Harrispilton22 Yes, your picks were so superb and I loved your commentary on ‘The Return of The Durutti Column’ in particular 👏 You are correct to say that the Durutti and YMG albums released this year had a similar aesthetic, and both albums are masterful and hold up today. ‘Remain in Light’ is such an awesome album, and I’m pleased to discover you’re a fan of it too!
Best wishes,
Christian
Agree with Absolutely as OSB had some silly tracks attached. And off course in my top 10. Then came the pop band from there onwards. Half season with new manager let's see !!
Hi Gazza, I’m confident, let’s get Broja back for 6 months, the glory days are about to return!...we are staying up..we are staying up!
Echo and the bunny men and chalk circle sound similar the uk have released great quality stuff dexy s were known as a one hit record in america
Hi Dino, yes Dexys had already had a huge number 1 in the U.K. with Geno..& a few top tens.
Chinos 😲😲😲 what is the world coming too , my flabber has never been so ghasted !!!
You will find some ska type influences in early Costello stuff because he produced some Specials stuff and I'm sure costello released one of his early tunes on the Twotone label.
I've got that second specials LP,complete with the free poster and 7" single. Enjoy Yourself was a prince Buster cover and yes Jerry Dammers went a bit cracker jack on the album !!!
Some members of the specials were growing tired of the almost constant touring and promoting and living in each others pockets etc... they were knackered,fed up and getting argumentative and wanted a break and rest,that's what caused the split.
Dexys-There there my dear....bloody fantastic 👍👍👍
Hello Nick! Lucky you can’t see my Crocs! Sorry I wanted to comment on your last Reggea/Ska video, but every time I comment on anyone’s video bar my own I get pulled up for spam/abuse & they threaten to pull my channel! I’ve messaged TH-cam about it today! It’s a joke. I knew you’d have the two tone knowledge Just listened to Man at C&A what a masterclass that is ..incredible. That Costello album is great, not played it for a few years ‘Human Touch’ & ‘I Stand Accused’ two of his best.Hope you are keeping well sir!
@@Harrispilton22
Crocs.....I think I'm going to faint !!!
@@nicksvinylbutty5488 Ha,ha, that probably will get reported.Innapropriate footwear warning!
If the Specials are #1 with you then why no mention of The Selecter?
Ha, haI don’t own it fellah! I used to..I was just old enough for two tone to be my first musical love, I also love ‘Speacial Beat Service’ massively underrated.
One day you're chasing the girls, next you're chasing the toilets!!
Killing joke, agree, Ants huge, Echo yes could be accused at the time of being a bit 'up' themselves. Gonna get the Teardrop explodes (although seen for £10 : ( ). Sleeve of the repress is better I think. Madness, underrated as classic British, certainly classic 80s. As is the More Specials.
Some killer 80s pics
Whats does it say on the Grace LP (top right) Leica ???
Ha ha! Yeah true! I could never quite buy into Ian McCullough..my girlfriend at the time was obsessed by him..which probably didn’t help!.That Teardrops is probably a £10.00 record tbf...but it can occasionally slip through the net at around £6/7.Yes always loved Madness.Mike Barson absolute genius & Jerry Dammers odf course!
@@Harrispilton22 We like a bit of £6/7 for a £10 record...oh the power, the intoxicating bargain of it.
I would go as far to say that Madness were very underrated, to have that many household hits. I can almost remember the smell of Autumn 1980 when Baggy Trousers came out, not many records can do that.
PS got a pair of Chinos somewhere, it comes to us all
@@SteviesVinylCupboard ha,ha yeah. Crocs next!
Just recently listened to that Specials album a couple weeks back, surprised myself by how much I really enjoyed it, it's a great choice for #1.
Dexy's Midnight Runners isn't really thought of any more or less of joke here in the States than any other one hit wonder. Come on Eileen was the one hit, don't believe I even know what the follow up single was let alone heard it.
You've not gone full audiophile yet, you're still too likable a fellow, maybe put in more time and work on perfecting a condescending vocal tone as well an overall insufferable disposition 🙃.
Hi Marcia!Thanks for the homework! I’ll work on it! Yes I think that’s what I was getting at with Dexys.In the U.K. that were already a quite credible act (a similiar status as The Jam, Human League,Soft Cell etc) whereas in America I think they were viewed as a novelty.Glad you liked ‘More Specials’ I found it a crushing dissapoint at the time, but grew to really love it, it really is a snapshot of the U.K. 1980. A strange & slighly odd time...unlike now...where it’s just sheer terror!!! Thanks for commenting as ever Marcia, I really appreciate it!
Another channel said The Specials first album was so good that the record label that signed them said hurry up and make a new album so we can make more money off you guys while your still popular. Well they gave them maybe 6 months which isn't enough time to come up with great songs.
Hello mate! To be honest, I can’t imagine anyone telling Jerry Dammers what to do!..it’s a record I really enjoy..listen to ‘Man At C&A’ ..it has to be one of the best constructed pop records ever..those horns are just so evocative of the fear of nuclear war around 80/81..just incredible..give it another listen! :)
@@Harrispilton22 I will, I've had the record since 1984 but haven't heard it for over 10 years.
Completely off topic (a tactic you employ always so brilliantly), I was listening to Chicken Shack’s 1972 “Imagination Lady” record yesterday for the very first time and I thought, “my God, this is grunge music!!” and it was recorded in 1972. Those Seattle grunge must have been influenced by “Imagination Lady”. Much to your point about Adam Ant being covered by Wired Magazine if was released today. Actually, a friend just commented that 1972 Chicken Shack sounded just like the band, “Rush”. I’d have never made that association as I detest Rush. Never listen to them. That Geddy Lee's voice is an anathema to me. Anyway, you get my point, right?
ha,ha, I had a running joke about Rush on my videos..which is why my Canada audience sits at about 3! Yes music is all about context. I remember when I first heard the song ‘Crazy Horses’, in the early nineties..I was like ‘This is the greatest riff I’ve ever heard!..my mate then told me it was The Osmonds’...I still think it’s the greatest riff Zeppelin never wrote! Musics a strange thing.So many of our opinions (including mine) are driven. by tastemakers.Alan Static Traveller did an interesting video where he said it’s almost impossible to form an opinion about music without being weighed down by some sort of critical baggage. Are Can any good? I actually don’t know..I’ve been told their good..so I think they’re good! I do know Rush are rubbish though!
@@Harrispilton22 "Crazy Horses" is dreadful. How can I unhear that?!! Thanks for the reminder to revisit Teardrop Explodes. I had been looking for a definitive album from them. Perhaps it will be Kilimanjaro. I saw them in San Francisco when they first toured. Julian Cope was an amazing front man.
@@ricefieldrecords ha, I love crazy horses.I reckon that’s the best Teardrops album, production isn’t the best though.I know Rob Walker swears by ‘Wilder’ Julian Cope did a great autobiography called ‘Head-On’ which is fantastic.I’m reading it now.
@@Harrispilton22 I listened to "Searching For The Young Soul Rebels" this morning and I still have goosebumps. Someone please tell me what he does with his mouth. Is that British yodelling? Dexys' printed lyric sheets never match the songs. But Oh, that trombone. Makes up for the missing lyrics every time. A true masterpiece!!!
I wish the DEXIES had called their hit CHINO instead of GENO!
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That’s brilliant David.Classic!!!
80's? Lambasted for 30-40 yrs as a weak decade for music, and not just the pop/rock genre. The Right Wing took over and 'culture' went down the proverbial, in the UK and USA. As to your list: Killing Joke, I'm not laughing, should you be killed, for this list? In your defence I did buy YMGiants, ''Final day'' ep in 1980 and Warm Leatherette. As to the best- Eno's Ambient 2, Hassell's Possible Musics, Vitous's First Meeting .....noteworthy heavy hitters I can think of from that year.
I thought you might go to town on me with this list Mike.. but apart from s pondering whether I should be killed..I’ve come out of this relatively unharmed! Grace’s version of ‘Warm Leatherette’ equal if not superior to The Normals version imo. ‘Final Day’ magnificent stuff.
@@Harrispilton22 Not sure what town me and you could go to, you'd be lusting for Benidorm or Basildon based on this poptastic list. Grace's early Lps still sound pretty good today, not easy for pop to achieve much longevity. Her version much better than the Normals annoying one. I'd have the Lp in my top 1000 from 1980 most likely, if I had the chance to listen to the other 50000 or so issued that year. I do remember singing the Specials Stereotype tune a lot that year, so catchy.
Chinos.......no, no, no! Sorry Harris, you've just turned into Nigel Havers for me.......just to much. What's next.... ditch the baseball cap for a panama? just wrong!
Hi Mike.I’ve also ditched Aldi for M&S Food. It’s all Goats Cheese in a Brioche Bun round these parts now!