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Top 20 Side 1/Track 1’s 1980 (pt. 2)
That’s right, I’ve decided that I like 1980 so much that I’ve got to stretch it out over two weeks. What’s so great about this year, in my opinion? Mainly that it highlights everything that was great about the early years of the “punk” ethos, not to be confused with what would now be called the punk sound, but also provides a window into where punk could lead.
There were still bands making punk rock that resembled first-wave work by the Ramones, Sex Pistols, Saints, and others. But 1980 also saw bands like Cabaret Voltaire, Killing Joke, The Sound, Comsat Angels, and so many more embracing the empowerment that punk embodied – the freedom and willingness to take chances, to challenge listeners and conventions, and to take influences from all over the musical spectrum.
Its very interesting to hear where music can take you when it is free from the prescribed constrictions of so many genres, sub-genres, etc. And I think 1980 shines light on this as well, or better, than any other year.
Orchestral Manoeuvres In The Dark – “Enola Gay”
from Organisation.
Young Marble Giants – “Searching For Mr. Right”
from Colossal Youth.
Echo and The Bunnymen – “Going Up”
from Crocodiles.
Talking Heads – “Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)”
from Remain In Light.
Television Personalities – “This Angry Silence”
from And Don’t The Kids Just Love It.
The (English) Beat – “Mirror In The Bathroom”
from I Just Can’t Stop It.
Teardrop Explodes – “Ha Ha I’m Drowning”
from Kilimanjaro.
Cabaret Voltaire – “Voice of America/Damage Is Done”
from The Voice of America.
Stiff Little Fingers – “Gotta Get Away”
from Nobody’s Heroes.
Durutti Column – “Sketch For Summer”
from The Return of the Durutti Column.
