Month: April 2022

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Land of Oz

Posted on by Frizzo

Five Great 80s Songs from Down Under

This is the first in a series of blog posts where I will feature some of my all time favorite 80s songs. I still remember the first time I heard these tracks. Some, I fell in love with immediately. Others took a few listens to get into, but they are all personal favorites of mine. What are some of your favorite 80s songs from Australian artists? Anyway, here are some great songs to check out in no particular order:

1. Icehouse “No Promises”

This is a great song that always takes me away to a dream like state. It is wistful, longing, and hopeful and a fantastic sing along. From their Measure for Measure album (1986).

2. Pseudo Echo “Listening”

Of course, most know this Aussie New Wave band from their cover of “Funkytown” off their second album, Love an Adventure in 1985. “Listening” is an original tune and the first single (1983) for the band off their debut album Autumnal Park, which was released in (1984). The North American and European releases of Love an Adventure also feature this track in a slightly different version.

3. INXS “Don’t Change”

I have never been the biggest INXS fan, but some of their songs are real bangers. That especially holds true for “Don’t Change” from their 1982 album Shabooh Shoobah. Produced by the legendary Mark Opitz. Pure gold!

4. Eurogliders “Another Day in the Big World”

This was one of those “love at first hearing” songs for me. Effervescent and lively, with serious lyrics lurking just below the surface. This is off their album This Island, released in 1984. ALSO produced by the legendary Mark Opitz, but with a very different feel than “Don’t Change”, above. Give it a go!

5. Kids in the Kitchen “Change in Mood”

Released in 1985 from their debut album Shine, this is an infectious and brilliantly arranged track that features soaring vocals by the inimitable Scott Carne. It starts slow, but builds to a frenetic pace very quickly. Truly a standout from the album and a very fun song to sing along to. In fact, I prefer it to the big hit off the album, “Current Stand” (but it’s also a great song). Listening to this song might change your mood… I can sense it!

Shameless Plug

If you like these songs and want to support the artists and this channel, consider purchasing their works via the links below (just click on the album titles). Thanks for stopping by and I’ll see you on the flip side!

Icehouse Measure for Measure
(may be out of print or out of print soon!)

Pseudo Echo Autumnal Park
(self-titled in North America, currently out of print in USA)

INXS Shabooh Shoobah

Eurogliders This Island

Kids in the Kitchen Shine
(self-titled in North America, currently out of print)

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Song of the Day (Or So) #1

Posted on by Frizzo

Every day or so, I wake up in the morning with a song in my head that just won’t go away. Sometimes, it something really great. Other times, it’s just a song. Rarely, it’s some song I’m really not into at all. Just a random mental jukebox of 80s music, if you will (maybe you can relate?). Anyway, today’s song is “Video Killed the Radio Star” by The Buggles from their amazing debut album The Plastic Age. What song is in your head today? (And by the by, this was the VERY FIRST video aired on MTV, but you probably already knew that!)

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My First Cassette Ever

Posted on by Frizzo
Time To Make a Mix Tape!

Every music fanatic has to start somewhere… a record, an eight track, or (in my case) a cassette tape. I first became truly aware of my local record shop in 1983 or so. That’s the year I had my grandmother drive me there so I could purchase my first ever album on cassette. That album? Men Without Hats’ Rhythm of Youth (sometimes referred to as Folk of the 80s Part II).

The Safety Dance & Beyond

Having heard their classic synth pop / dance floor anthem “The Safety Dance” on my local FM station, I was transfixed by the sounds and the amazing newness of the sound. So, with the few dollars of allowance I had (and my grandmother’s permission), I snagged up a copy and headed home, where I played it to death. I’m pretty sure my entire family knew all the songs on that album as well as Ivan Doroschuk (the lead singer and main composer for Men Without Hats) did by the time the tape wore out. Marvelous, heady days, indeed!

My Obsession

To be certain, this initial experience sent me into a life-long quest to find all the coolest music I could (IMHO, of course). I would often frequent my local record shop and grab up whatever I heard playing that caught my interest. Sometimes, it was just an album cover that would do it. Other times, the band’s name would sell me on the music. During this time, I collected as many songs as I could, which only made me hungry for more.

Spirit of Radio

Whenever I would hear a great song on the radio, I would seek out everything I could find by the artist. Many of their lesser-known tracks and albums have become my favorites. This led me to seek out lesser-and-lesser known artists, as well, many of whom have become very popular on my personal playlists. The 1980s was a great time for music and I was like a kid in a candy store every time I would discover a new song or artist.

Fuel for the Fire

Once I obtained gainful employment as an adult, I ramped up my collection significantly, moving from cassettes to Compact Discs (CDs) and eventually to mp3s. But nothing comes close to that first cassette. I still listen to those songs to this day and they always take me back to my very happy first encounters with music. Hopefully, this blog will spark a little of that old magic in you, too.

Rhythm of Youth

The Rhythm of Youth wasn’t all Safety Dance (although that song is absolute genius). Many of the other tracks also caught my ear and have become favorites, as well. “I Like”, “Living in China”, “I Got the Message”, and “Ideas for Walls” are great, fun, upbeat songs. I also enjoyed the opening short song “Ban the Game” and “The Great Ones Remember”. If you like the album, which is your favorite deeper cut from the LP? I’d love to know! So that brings us to why we’re here….

Are Friends ‘Electric’?

Welcome, friends, to Frizzo’s Electric Café! It’s my tribute to the 1980s and its influence in music, movies, and pop culture. From old familiar Top 100 songs, to forgotten favorites, one hit wonders, and outright obscurities, you will find a little bit of everything here. Enjoy!

https://youtu.be/AjPau5QYtYs

Shameless Plug!

Treat yourself to some great music and support the site by checking out Men Without Hats’ Rhythm of Youth here. Full disclaimer: it’s an affiliate link to Amazon.com and there are some others sprinkled throughout the post – I’ve got to keep my collection going somehow! Anyway, it costs you nothing extra and it helps support the site. Thanks for stopping by (and double thanks if you decided to support me!) and we’ll catch you on the flip side!

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Welcome to the Café!

Posted on by Frizzo

If this is your first time to Frizzo’s Electric Café, then welcome! We hope you will like what you see and become a frequent visitor here. If you are returning, welcome back! It’s always good to see you!

This is a repository for all things retro from the 1980s to the 1990s and maybe just a little bit beyond. This is because what is deemed “retro” keeps changing with the passage of time. But I digress…

The primary focus here is music: New Wave, Synth Pop, New Romantic, Punk, Post-Punk, Metal, early Rap and Hip Hop, and more modern throwback genres like Chillwave and Synthwave. Hopefully, you will find some tunes you like, rediscover a forgotten favorite, unearth an obscure gem, or just chill and listen to the amazing sounds of years gone by.

At some point in the very near future, an effort will be made to bring in some movies and pop culture treasures from the 1980s and beyond, as well, so stay tuned for that. That should provide a more “complete” and “immersive” experience. Stay tuned.

Once you’ve seen what’s on the menu here, just let us know if we can get you anything!

Thanks for stopping by!

Frizzo

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