Never Let Me Down [Single] (1987)

"Never Let Me Down [Single]", David Bowie (1987)

The general consensus regarding 80s Bowie is simple: His career took a creative nosedive. Following "Let's Dance," the rest of the decade saw the artist meander through all manner of uninspired forays into r&b influenced 80s pap. This single, from 1987's "Never Let Me Down" album, is a clear illustration of that sad dynamic.

The big, synthetic drum sound that characterized a great deal of the decade's music is here, sadly. A monotonous, unrelenting, and downright dull beat pretty much makes the song just plod along aimlessly. What's more, the vocals are delivered at an irritatingly high pitch that will surely leave fans of Bowie the Crooner dismayed. The lyrics are terribly trite as well. The only upside to the song is the sax, which does a good job at adding a bit of sassyness to an otherwise dead tune.

The 12" single here, ripped from a rather dusty slab of vinyl, gives us way too many versions of the limp song. Why am I uploading it? Damned if I know. Here's what you get:

1. Never Let Me Down (Extended Dance Remix)
2. Never Let Me Down (7'' Remix Edit)
3. Never Let Me Down (Dub)
4. Never Let Me Down (Acapella)
5. Never Let Me Down (Instrumental)
6. 87 and Cry (Single Version)

All I can say is that "87 and Cry" sort of points towards Bowie's even more tragic Tin Machine venture. But that's another story...


Download (23.01 MB)

In unrelated news, I've added even more links to this page. Frankly, there are people out there with very hip stuff that I simply couldn't manage to ever get (maybe due to my age, geography or $[or lack thereof]). So be on the lookout for new links, since I will be updating them constantly. Go ahead and check them all out... just don't kill your bandwidth or hard drive. Adios!

My Ever Changing Moods (1984)

"My Ever Changing Moods," The Style Council (1984)

Ah, The Style Council. So reviled, so flawed, and yet, so magical. Post-Jam Paul Weller and keyboard wizard extraordinaire Mick Talbot gave us years of uber-eclectic sophistipop that, for some reason, many detest. Perhaps its the polished nature of the work, or maybe its the erratic quality. Despite its overreaching and imperfections, the outfit managed to knock out some riveting music.

Following up on their first EP, the band released their first album, Café Bleu. But, sadly, Café Bleu did not land on American shores. Instead, we belatedly received "My Ever Changing Moods." In effect, its the same album, but with heavy modifications. For one thing, we lose the original version of "My Ever Changing Moods" and receive the (admittedly peppier) 12" version of the track. In addition, we lose out on two tracks found in the UK equivalent: "Me Ship Came In!" and "Council Meetin'" are missing in action. Furthermore, the running order was tampered with.

It's still a bloody good listen, and it demonstrates the breadth of this group. There's soul, pop, hard bop jazz, lounge, 80s fare, gospel, rap, and funk, among other things. It's wide-reaching, its all over the place, and its a great piece of work.

Unfortunately, the American version of the album never appeared on CD. By the time the compact disc issue of the album popped up, we Yanks also received Café Bleu. As such, I present to you all the long-lost original LP version of TSC's debut. Enjoy.

1. My Ever Changing Moods
2. The Whole Point of No Return
3. Blue Café
4. The Paris Match
5. Dropping Bombs on the Whitehouse
6. A Solid Bond in Your Heart
7. You're The Best Thing
8. A Gospel
9. Strength of Your Nature
10. Here's The One That Got Away
11. Headstart for Happiness
12. Mick's Blessings


Download (38.67 MB)

Epic Presents The Unsigned (1985)

First off, thanks for visiting this thing. I'll have to confess that I'm a CD guy at heart, but alas, given the mountains of new dreck out there, I think its worth our time to explore the rarities that have yet to pop on to the commercial CD market. With the aid of my trusty USB turntable and these dang internets, I hope to bring some of that hidden vinyl magic out to the fore. So let's begin!


"Epic Presents The Unsigned," Various Artists (1985)

For more info, check out this helpful page. The album consists of an assortment of unsigned artists from the States (although all but one are from east of the Mississippi). The styles are all over the place. Some tracks are punky power pop, while others are reminiscent of Huey Lewis and the News. Similarly, the contrast between the techno foray of Free World's "Supply and Demand" could not be any more different from The Pressure Boys, the 'cowboy punk/funksters' that gave us "Where The Cowboys Went." Overall, its a fun mix. It may lack cohesion, and some artists might be more memorable than others, but it gives us a glimpse into the mechanics of hip underground college rock in the mid-1980s.

1. Sussman Lawrence Band- Torture Me
2. The Reducers- Let's Go
3. The Pressure Boys- Where The Cowboys Went
4. The Rothchilds- Long After Summer
5. The Criminals- Under The City Lights
6. Blue Sparks From Hell- Real Man's Car
7. The Radiators- This Wagon's Gonna Roll
8. The Crime- Mad About You
9. Visions- Love Potion
10. Free World- Supply and Demand

Download (36.5 MB)