Released in 1979, "Remote Control" is the fourth album studio from The Tubes, coming before they hit it kind of big with "The Completion Backwards Principle" and then followed by the album where they really hit it big, "Outside Inside" and then losing it with "Love Bomb" (which I like) and then disappearing and coming back with "Genius Of America" which only a few bought (me included) which is a shame since it's a great album.
The earlier Tubes' albums were a bit on the weird side, not really accessible to the normal public. However, there were some glimpses of "normal" songs on their earlier output ("White Punks On Dope" comes to mind), but their live shows were supposedly a sight to behold. Check online for writeups on the early Tubes live shows and you'll see what I mean.
It seems with this album they went a more commercial route. Really no "weirdness" here.
Produced by Todd Rundgren (Scott, remember I mentioned something about this awhile back?), this is a concept album about some guys addiction to television. Guess you could kind of figure that out with the album cover?
The Rundgren stamp is very noticeable, some of the songs sound like Utopia/Rundgren with the rest sounding like The Tubes. But, all in all, it's a Tubes album!
1. Turn Me On*
2. TV Is King*
3. Prime Time*
4. I Want It All Now
5. No Way Out
6. Getoverture*
7. No Mercy*
8. Only The Strong Survive*
9. Be Mine Tonight
10. Love's A Mystery (I Don't Understand)*
11. Telecide*
Availability: OOP, but her's where it gets interesting. The original CD is around for about $100. The "remaster" that came out about 3 years ago is going for around $35. However, stay away from this remaster, put out by American Beat because it sounds horrible (supposedly the original CD sounds better). If you do want this album, hunt down the two disc compilation titled "Going Down". It's a greatest hits package from their A&M years with the complete "Remote Control" album on disc two and it sounds very good. This comp goes for around $20 and it too is OOP.
MSoTW: Nobody guessed last week's song which was by Wishbone Ash. For that, everyone is going to be punished. Take a guess where the link is to listen to "Remote Control"? That'll learn you but good! This week's track is from a band that had a pretty big hit in the 80's, go ahead and try to figure it out.
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Norma Jean Fox
(11/30/1945-9/7/2010)
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