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July 21 - July 28, 1997
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don't care what anyone else says, the '80s were a great decade
for music. When the so-called alternative bands of the '90s rejected
anything synthetic in favor of pure guitar, bass, and drums, they
backlashed themselves into a corner, and the stylistic parameters
that marked a band as "cool" quickly became boring.
Fortunately, that's all changing. If you listen to alternative
songs on the radio nowadays, you'll notice production values creeping
back up, more avant-garde sounds sneaking into the mix, and the
influence of electronic music renewing its foothold. Can
a return to the playfulness of the '80s be far behind?
If this article is any indication, a true '80s revival is already on the way. Tongue-in-cheek bands like the Prima Donnas are milking New Wave pretension to create a crowd-pleasing '80s version of Spinal Tap, while more sincere bands are bringing back the nerdy verve of acts like Devo. Meanwhile, more dance clubs are discovering increased profits and audience participation during '80s theme nights, where hipsters who previously wouldn't be caught dead doing the "Safety Dance" now happily bop along in the name of nostalgic kitsch. Click here for an in-depth report. Speaking of embracing artifacts from our cultural past, you've probably already heard about how well Pink Floyd's "Dark Side of the Moon" album synchs up with The Wizard of Oz. But it's unlikely you've tried the trippy combo, which is why I recommend reading this article to discover the amusing details. The story even seems to answer the question, "What freak discovered this phenomenon?" ...And if you're feeling festive, you might want to read about two big festivals in New Mexico and New Orleans -- the former celebrating solar power, the latter celebrating the Gospel. Why do the two remind me of the science/religion dichotomy in Contact? Other articles explore the music of artists like...
Jingles with Hair
Tiny Tunes
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