A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS - s/t LP 1982

Next one is a post from a band which I listen a lot in my school days and so I wanna post their debut record here. A Flock Of Seagulls was started by Mike Score and his brother Ali in 1979 in Liverpool. Mike, who was previously a hairdresser, played keyboards, guitar, and vocals, Ali played drums and their friend Frank Maudsley played bass. The band took their name from a line in the song "Toiler on the Sea" by The Stranglers, which appears on their album 'Black And White'. The band added guitarist Willie Woo, and Mark Edmondson joined briefly when Ali and Mike had a falling out; however, Ali re-joined when Mark took ill. They then began writing songs. Soon after, Willie left, allowing Paul Reynolds to join. They then started playing clubs and eventually got a recording contract. Eventually, under the management of Tommy Crossan and Mick Rossi (Checkmount Ltd.), they began to release singles through Jive Records. The group released an EP and a couple of singles, 'It's Not Me Talking' and 'Telecommunication' on Bill Nelson's 'Cocteau' label; both tracks produced by Nelson. In 1982 the group's third single "I Ran (So Far Away)" became a worldwide hit, most notably reaching number 1 in Australia and the top 10 in the US and New Zealand (where the band became popular). The parent album A Flock of Seagulls and another single "Space Age Love Song" was also successful. Two great albums followed and in 1985 the group released a new album; Dream Come True. Despite having a new sound based around the Fairlight Synthesizer the album was critically panned and a commercial failure. The remaining members fell out and A Flock Of Seagulls in its original incarnation disbanded. Although parodied in later years, the band is now recognized as a pioneering act, capturing the zeitgeist of their time. This one is a classic with eleven wavies.

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A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS - Modern Love Is Automatic EP 1981

Released via Jive Records, Modern Love Is Automatic is the 3rd 7Inch by A Flock Of Seagulls, my favorite UK new wave band of the 80s and they serve four decent nuggets for us, two are non-album tracks (I changed a song). Modern Love is also opener on their debut album the following year. A few content-related song details: A love-affair between a mismatched pair. As with many of the groups lyrics, harmonies and videos, there is a suggestion of cosmic energy and other-world imagery. The woman is an "automatic" perhaps symbolizing an android of some type. The man is a "cosmic" perhaps from another planet. The song closes with the man "locked away" but the narrator suggesting he is in fact free. - Such futuristic anecdotes are typical for the band and their relaxed music doesn't make the four dead.

Important useful infos: owing to their memorable and unusual style and appearance, A Flock of Seagulls are sometimes referred to with ironic appreciation. The New Musical Express wrote: "Of course, everyone remembers this group now for singer Mike Score's ridiculous back-combed haircut and the fact that they are mentioned in Pulp Fiction. So now they're kind of cool, but in the early 1980s it was a different story." Their dramatic style has drawn much criticism and parody, but the band has also been recognized as a pioneering act, capturing the spirit of their time, particularly with the guitar work of Paul Reynolds and sonically multi-layered hits such as "Space Age Love Song," "Telecommunication," and "Modern Love Is Automatic." The band also is noted for creating a successful concept album, their debut, which alludes to an alien invasion of earth. Billboard writer Robert Christgau applauded their "mechanical lyrics, about a mechanical end of the world," while noting the "aural pleasure" of both the band's debut album and the follow-up.

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A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS - The Story Of A Young Heart 1984

The third and last good album by this four piece Liverpool Wavers and for me a significant increase to Listen. It was their last album until 2018's Ascension to feature the best known line-up of the band, as guitarist Paul Reynolds left shortly after the album, 'The More You Live, The More You Love' was released as lead single, despite heavy rotation on MTV and other music video shows at that time, the single was only moderately successful, but the album's other two singles – 'Never Again (The Dancer)' and 'Remember David' (released only in a few European countries and a brilliant shot) – did not make any headway. Faced with sliding sales and a loss of direction, the band continued to consider their options whilst touring. The B Side is clearly the winner for me and proves their musical diversity. A Flock Of Seagulls is always a welcome guest in my house.

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A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS - Listen 1983

I turn the gear back a little and we beam ourselves into the glorious UK New Wave/Pop era of the 80s and this combo is still a secret favorite in my eyes and Listen was the second album by A Flock Of Seagulls, released 1983 on Zomba Records and this is their most commercial one. Three singles were released from this record, including a re-recorded version of their debut single '(It's Not Me) Talking', but they were only minor successes in the UK and abroad. The ten songs are not really bad but they come a bit too clean (can't find a suitable word) therefore in my opinion, presumably the Science Fiction theme was presented too vehemently and the stupid society doesn't honor further developments and changes or it was simply not a brilliant idea, who knows? Anyway, even after 35 years, their music can compete with the scrap that they call music today -  I have re-upped their debut album before you ask... and now enjoy the sound of Liverpool!

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V/A - Live & Alive [Special] 2017

It's time again to torture you with one of my superfluous self-made compilations and since I'm a Live person, this Machwerk is full with sixteen Alive goodies from bands which I have seen live multiple times, whose records I love and being a constant companion in the past and present. Simply strong songs that impress and touch me or which I just only like. The artwork came on its own and I hope it appeals to you. Take this as a small gift and listen to it while cooking, in the train/plane, while cycling or body sport... made to play loud! 

1.Not Another Hit - DISCO ZOMBIES

2.The Traveller - A FLOCK OF SEAGULLS

3.Remember Tomorrow - IRON MAIDEN

4.Gimme Gimme Shock Treatment - RAMONES

5.Ruperts Grün - TURBOSTAAT

6.A Forest - THE CURE

7.Shot Down In Flames - AC/DC

8.In Shreds - THE CHAMELEONS

9.Chelsea Monday - MARILLION

10.Shadowplay - JOY DIVISION

11.Such A Shame - TALK TALK

12.Halleluja - RAMMSTEIN

13.Staub - MESSER

14.Walking On Both Sides - PINK TURNS BLUE

15.Very Ape - NIRVANA

16.Weiter - EA80

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