Hey! Remember the 80's?

Episode 127: A Rick Astley update and Kari's dispatch from the Psychedelic Furs show kick off Tidbits, then Joe and Kari go Back in Time to September 16, 1989, and a look into the week's issue of Billboard Magazine. The record label behind Soulsister (who?) shelled out some big bucks for a full page ad to create buzz. Did it work? Also featured in the pages: IRS Records, Melissa Etheridge, Flock of Seagulls, and many more! 

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Episode 126: First in Tidbits: ABBA is back!! But how are the new singles? Joe and Kari give their early opinions.

In Just a Bit Outside: in honor of Charlie's new program on Charlie's 80's Attic, 80's Deep Dive, Joe and Kari take a listen to some of the songs that charted on the Hot 100 but did not make it to the Top 40. A few familiar names pop up, but some of these artists are being discussed on the show for the very first (and last??) time. 

Then in Coming Around Again: Tears for Fears and Kim Wilde are not strangers to the upper reaches of the Hot 100, but some of their singles needed a do-over. Did it help??? 

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Episode 125: Welcome back! First up it’s Tidbits: Kari gives us the rundown (and geography lesson) of the Squeeze/Hall & Oates show in Milwaukee. One of these acts gave it their all, and one had some "sound issues."

Next, Ladies of Hip Hop Part 2:  Kari and Joe take a look at MC Lyte, Queen Latifah, and JJ Fad. These influential women burst onto the scene in the 80's and made their mark on the charts. 

Then it’s The Other Number Ones: Voggue, The Fixx and, Force MDs hit the top spot on Dance, Mainstream Rock, and R&B charts. Which songs stand the test of time? 

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Episode 124: Kari has a new show on Charlie's 80's Attic called Dare to Be Different. It is a show based on the music from iconic radio stations WLIR and KROQ (think new wave, punk, and non-mainstream). So in celebration of her new show we are taking a look at songs which fit into that format: songs from Robert Palmer (yes, THAT Robert Palmer), King, and Missing Persons.

Next, grab your boarding passes as it's time for Top of The Pops! This is the segment where your hosts take a look at number one hits from Across the Pond. Find out if Boris Gardiner and Yazz and the Plastic Population were as successful on the Billboard charts as they were in the UK. 

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Episode 123: Time to close out our look at the Village Voice Pazz and Jop Polls, this time with 1988 and 1989. Sonic Youth and Tracy Chapman were some of the big winners in 1988. Do you remember hearing "Fast Car" for the first time? But like, really heard it? 1989 winners include Neil Young, with a song that Joe is absolutely FEELING. 

Next, in Just a Bit Outside, two iconic rock acts barely hit the Hot 100 in 1980 with a couple of songs that don't get much play in this day and age. Were they underrated?? You be the judge. 

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Episode 122: There's no doubt that Janet Jackson, Paula Abdul and Jody Watley ruled the 2nd half of the 80's, but whose hits hold up the best?? Joe and Kari are ranking the Top 40 hits of these R&B/Dance queens to find out who reigns supreme. Don't be Cold Hearted or Nasty, tune in today, Friends!!

Then it’s Who's Holding Phil Now? Yes, Phil Collins was quick to help his famous friends in the studio, but he also chipped in when his less-famous friends needed a hand as well. Apologies upfront for Joe's singing voice when he debuts the segment's new theme song. 

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Episode 121: Inspired by Kari's recent book choice, The Motherlode by Clover Hope. Episode 121 is about some of the female Hip Hop pioneers: Mercedes Young Ladies, The Sequence, and Roxanne Shante. Joe and Kari also breakdown a historic battle called The Roxanne Wars (1984 - 1985). There were no survivors.

Next is The Screamer of the Week which is inspired by historic radio station WLIR. This segment features cutting edge rock music from the early 80's, with a look at a Sting-assisted band that should've made A Bigger Splash.

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Episode 120: It's one of those rare episodes where Joe and Kari are in the same room at the same time! 

After a brief recap of their 80's antics together, it's time for Sophisti-pop! Inspired by a recent Transmission from DJ Jake Rudh, Joe and Kari are taking a look at some more sophisti-pop artists (Bryan Ferry, Spandau Ballet, Prefab Sprout, etc).

Finally, it’s time to bring back an old segment. Cyndi Lauper had a lot riding on her comeback single "True Colors", but was the video the work of an artistic genius, or was it child's play? Joe and Kari take sides in "Trash or Treasure". 

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Episode 119: Joe and Kari are back on the Pazz and Jop scene! Which albums and singles topped the polls in 1986 and 1987? 1986 was a big year for Paul Simon's Graceland as well as the music that inspired him, and 1987 saw Prince at the top with an album that took many forms before it was ultimately released to the public. // Just a Bit Outside -- a Happy Days guest star and a Wild Cherry offshoot try their best to hit the Top 40, with varying results. 

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Episode 118: First in Tidbits, a follow-up of sorts to our HRT80's Court segment featuring Elvis Costello // Pazz and Jop -- picking back up in 1984, Joe and Kari run down the winners of the Pazz and Jop poll in 1984 and 1985. Bruce Springsteen and Talking Heads were the big winners on the album side, and hip hop pioneers Run DMC and Doug E. Fresh scored big on the singles side // Songs That Time Forgot -- Kari and Joe picked a few new wave/electronic acts to single out. 

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