SCOTTS HIDDEN TREASURES - #16

[Scott]

Hidden Treasures turn 16 this week.  What an awkward age!  I was 16 in 1981, the eighties just began and the cheese factor hadn't yet been invented, in fact cheesy was cool in 1981 and Mtv was still not seen in very many homes.  I want to hone in on the transition into the early 80's and reconnect with a few of styles happening around those times...

 

Throw away your bell bottoms and lets get started...

 

TITLE: Borrowed Time
BAND: Styx
ALBUM: Cornerstone
YEAR: 1979

Don't look now but here come the eighties!  Do you remember that lyric?  I thought that was so cool.  Still a great track from a band that was still writing and producing some real good rock and roll.  Cornerstone would change Styx forever with the ballad Babe, but we didnt know that yet.

 

TITLE: The Modern Day
BAND: Foreigner
ALBUM: Head Games
YEAR: 1979

This track is voiced by Mick Jones.  I love the opening riff, I remember thinking that Foreigner was turning to a more new wave sound with this track.  Now I Listen to it and I don't hear that anymore.  But its still a really nice track and the riff still works.

 

TITLE: Double Life
BAND: The Cars
ALBUM: Candy-O
YEAR: 1979

My absolute favorite Cars track!  So different, so simple, so damn good!  Tell me this album cover isnt awesome!  I know where Whitesnake got their video ideas now!  I miss this band, and what a shame that we'll never get them back.  R.I.P. Ben Orr... 

 

 

TITLE: I Got A Line On You
BAND: Blackfoot
ALBUM: Strikes
YEAR: 1979

I first seen Blackfoot opening up for Foghat and was hooked.  Then I learned about the Medlockes also.  Cool stuff!  Also, I grew up in a very Native American area so this band went over real big with us.  In fact, the area I grew up in was native to the Blackfoot Indian. So you could probably guess this band had a following there.

 

TITLE: Disco Apocalypse
BAND: Jackson Browne
ALBUM: Hold Out
YEAR: 1980

Did you burn your disco records or did you just say you did?  Don't answer that, I know you kept them and probably re-bought them on CD and then again remastered.  Don't know what that has to do with this song other than that's what the title of it reminds me of.  Good Tune from an always politically charged guy...

 

TITLE: The Kid is Hot Tonite
BAND: Loverboy
ALBUM: Loverboy
YEAR: 1980

So influential at the time it came out, I think it gets lost in rock history because their cheese factor was very high - you know, headbands and butt shots...  But this track really kicked New Wave into high gear and it still hits a nerve with me.

 

TITLE: Only Game In Town
BAND: Red Rider
ALBUM: As Far As Siam
YEAR: 1981

Just when the music scence was getting good, here come another new sound.  Red Rider was a kick in the pants when they came out.  They never got their due, in my opinion.

 

 

TITLE: Take the L
BAND: The Motels
ALBUM: All Four One
YEAR: 1982

(Taken from the Essentials Collection)
OK, I admit that at the time I had a thing for Martha Davis, I thought she looked intriguing and dangerous, a very hot combination for a 16 year old.  While I eventually got over her, I'm sure she can still belt out some killers tunes and this is still a track I really love.

 

TITLE: The Weapon
BAND: Rush
ALBUM: Signals
YEAR: 1981

Signals was a huge issue for hard core Rush fans, this was a major change to their sound.  Admittedly its my least favorite era, but Signals is still a strong release for me.  I like it from top to bottom.

 

 

TITLE: Hear About It Later
BAND: Van Halen
ALBUM: Fair Warning
YEAR: 1981

I wanted to end with my personal favorite from when I was 16.  Fair Warning still holds a place of prominence in my catalog.  The best VH in my opinion.

 

 

 

Being 16 is tough, trying to find your muscial identity in this era was even tougher.  But in the end, the musical styles from this time still influence alot of music now.  One of my favorite times musically without a doubt!

 

Chao!!!!

 

FIREFOX USERS USE THIS LINK...

http://www.podsnack.com/playlists/dbd1ba6d0923f228f7bebe6d2ca79643

 

EMBEDDED PLAYER...

[RJhog (Admin)]

Let's see...1981....not a European band...that really narrows it down. Can I get a genre? With no extra info, I'm gonna say Motley Crue - Too Fast For Love.

[Niels (Mod)]

Well it's definetly rock, and it's not TFFL.

[Scott]

Sorry Neils! I'll try harder next time... :-)

Im guessing 'Styx: Paradise Theater' for Neils AOTW

[Niels (Mod)]

Nope. And you should know my name by now, Scott?!

[Scott]

dislexia... so sorry... (Why do I feel like Im apologizing for everything I do on here lately?)

[RJhog (Admin)]

'Cause you always be offending somebody....you're so offensive.....offender

[Jon]

I third that motion.

[RJhog (Admin)]

I'm thinking Music From The Elder by Kiss...or maybe something by Aerosmith.

[Jon]

I'm going with...REO Speedwagon, "Hi Infidelity". Thinking Journey "Escape" has been done, if it's a band it's not Billy Squier "Don't Say No"...Stevie Nicks "Belladonna" maybe? Squeeze is out, Go-Go's are out, Rick Springfield no, maybe Ozzy Osborne "Blizzard Of Oz"?

Those are some of my picks, forget that "one pick only" stuff!

[RJhog (Admin)]

I just realized he said not European, he didn't say American...so AC/DC "For Those About To Rock" or Rush (I don't know what they released in 81) or Triumph. I can't think of any Vietnamese or Chinese bands from 1981.

[Jon]

Moving Pictures for Rush