When you think of college alternative rock of the 80's, the group you are most likely to have in your head is The Smiths. Their third studio album, “The Queen Is Dead,” continues their brand of Manchester Brit-pop, decidedly pessimistic, but with accessible muscial hooks. The Smiths’ sound is largely due to the collaboration between front man Morrissey and guitarist Johnny Marr - sophisticated, critical, and downright depressing. Still this influential group has had a staying power beyond their contemporaries. Tim Andrews brings us this complex and bleak album as he guest-hosts this week's episode.
The Queen Is Dead
This anti-royalty track criticizes the royal family and the continual media frenzy around them. Morrissey considered royalty to be "a hideous joke."
Frankly, Mr. Shankly
This track describes a letter written by an unhappy worker to his tyrannical boss.
I Know It's Over
This emotional ballad depicts a man at the end of a bleak life. "I know it's over - still I cling, I don't know where else I can go."
There Is a Light That Never Goes Out
This is a better known track from the album. The music sounds upbeat until you catch the lyrics: "And if a double-decker bus crashes into us, to die by your side is such a heavenly way to die."
STAFF PICKS:
Billy Joel - Big Man on Mulberry Street
Bruce's staff pick highlights a jazzy deep cut from Joel's album "The Bridge." This song made an appearance as the music behind a dream sequence from the TV show "Moonlighting."
Van Halen - Dreams
This synthesizer-heavy hit from the Sammy Hagar era of Van Halen is off "5150," the first Van Halen album with Hagar as frontman. Rob loves the irony that “ 5150” is the California Welfare and Institutions code for an insane person.
GTR - When the Heart Rules the Mind
Brian brings this supergroup featuring Yes guitarist Steve Howe and Genesis guitarist Steve Hackett. GTR only had this single album, and this track was their biggest hit.
David Lee Roth - Yankee Rose
Wayne reminds us that both Van Halen and David Lee Roth had hits at this time. Steve Vai was Roth's guitarist on this song. Although you might think this was another song about girls, this song is actually about the Statue of Liberty on which refurbishment was completed at the time.
The Fixx - Secret Separation
Tim's staff pick features the UK band famous for their earlier album "Reach the Beach." This later hit has great harmonies
INSTRUMENTAL TRACK:
REM - The White Tornado
This instrumental off the collection album "Dead Letter Office" closes out our podcast for the week.
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**NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.
