Episode 20: The 45 Face Off!!

It was a very busy weekend for Brian and Sarah and although they weren't able to record a new episode, they did discover a new record shop near their house! Their first visit resulted in them buying a small stack of 80's 7" singles, or as we more often refer to them, 45's!

The hosts, together with their visiting niece Grace, select a few of the 45s to face off in a battle royal, with Brian and Sarah making a case for each record and Grace passing judgment on which fighter moves on to the next level.

Here are the battles we decide for you:

Round 1: Tears For Fears "Everybody Wants To Rule The World" VS Boys Don't Cry "Who The Am Dam Do You Think You Am"

Round 2: The Church "Under The Milky Way" VS Robbie Nevil "Dominoes"

Round 3: George Michael "Faith" VS Erasure "Chains Of Love"

Round 4: Depeche Mode "Everything Counts (Live)" VS New Order "Blue Monday 1988"

Now the conflict moves onto our Facebook page where we ask you to pick the winners of the next 2 rounds! Visit us at https://www.facebook.com/permrecordpodcast to cast your vote!

Thanks for listening! See you next week with a full episode featuring a look back at a classic 80's New Wave album!

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Episode 19: Erasure - Wonderland (1986) Part 2

This episode continues the discussion of Erasure's 1986 debut album, titled Wonderland. In the time since the previous episode, Brian received his copy of Erasure's latest release, World Be Gone, and he reports he's been enjoying it quite a bit so far. But then the hosts return to Wonderland.

Part 3: Track by Track, continued

At the end of the album's first side, we found Brian completely delighted and Sarah somewhat underwhelmed by what they'd heard. Do they feel the same about side two? As the hosts give their thoughts on the five tracks, they also give possible wardrobe suggestions for Andy Bell, and they once again struggle to describe various keyboard sounds. Sarah tells a story from her high school days related to one of the songs, and she later reveals the astonishing original topic for the song "Love is a Loser!"

Say What

Love Is a Loser

March on Down the Line

My Heart...So Blue

Oh L'Amour

Part 4: Extra Credit

Brian and Sarah own the US version of Wonderland, which has a different track listing than the UK release. For extra credit, they discuss the two tracks that were omitted from the US version: Push Me, Shove Me and Pistol. They talk about whether the songs should have been added to the US version, if they should have been used in place of other tracks, or if the album was better without them.

Part 5: Final Review and Rating

It's clear Wonderland holds a special place in Brian's heart. But does he like it well enough to give it a five out of five record-adapter rating? Sarah, on the other hand, has been more critical of the album, so Brian is on pins and needles waiting to hear her review and rating.

See the videos we discuss here:

Oh L'Amour (Original Version)

Oh L'Amour (Second Version)

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Episode 18: Erasure - Wonderland (1986) Part 1

This week's episode is timed to coincide with the brand new release from Erasure, titled World Be Gone. But rather than discussing the new album, Brian and Sarah go back 31 years, to the debut album from the synthpop duo of Vince Clarke and Andy Bell.

Part 1: Background

By 1986, Vince Clarke-- or at least his music-- is familiar to many in the UK, having had chart successes as a founding member of Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and The Assembly. Brian provides a little more information on Vince's musical history, even before the Depeche Mode days. Sarah tells us about newcomer Andy Bell and how he and Vince came to form Erasure. Then the two discuss the making of Wonderland, the singles associated with it, and the rather surprising chart positions of both the album and the singles.

Part 2: Personal History

Did either Brian or Sarah own the actual album or cassette of Wonderland back in the day? The answer may surprise you. Also, Brian provides another reason why it was a good time to discuss this album-- and it has to do with the weather!

Part 3: Track by Track

Both the US and UK versions of Wonderland contain five tracks on the first side, but the track listing is different. Brian and Sarah grew up with the US version, so they review those songs. During that conversation, we learn the hosts have differing opinions on the types of drum sounds they prefer. They both have thoughts on which songs have similarities to Yazoo songs. They also delve into the more serious topic of sexuality in the 1980s and the different ways it was approached by artists at the time. And finally, much to Brian's surprise, Sarah reveals she's not always that impressed with Andy Bell's vocals. But both Brian and Sarah agree on the silliness of the two videos they discuss!

Who Needs Love Like That

Reunion

Cry So Easy

Senseless

Heavenly Action

See the videos discussed here:

Who Needs Love Like That

Heavenly Action

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Episode 17: Tears for Fears - Songs from the Big Chair (1985) - Part 2

This week's episode continues Brian and Sarah's discussion of the second Tears for Fears album, Songs from the Big Chair. The first side of this 1985 release contained several chart-topping hits, but the second side has a decidedly different feel to it, and our hosts engage in a spirited discussion of the four tracks.

Part 3: Track by Track (Continued)

As they review each song on side two, Brian and Sarah bring up such diverse topics as saxophones, harmony, laziness, Game of Thrones, a Seinfeld character, and Chicken McNuggets. An excellent video and an awful video are also discussed.

I Believe

Broken

Head Over Heels

Listen

Part 4: Extra Credit

Before the album is given a final review and rating, Brian mentions the Tears for Fears song The Way You Are and asks Sarah about it. She shares the background of the song, and the two discuss its pros and cons. Brian also talks about how the band members feel about this somewhat forgotten track.

Part 5: Final Grade

Brian admitted going into this discussion that he was a big fan of the singles, but not as big a fan of the album as a whole. So after several listens in preparation for this podcast, how does Brian finally decide to rate Songs from the Big Chair? Sarah, on the other hand, was a big fan from her first listen back in 1985. So do her teenage memories and feelings for this album affect her final rating, or does she take a more objective approach?

See the videos we discuss here:

I Believe (A Soulful Re-Recording)

Head Over Heels

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Episode 16: Tears For Fears - Songs From The Big Chair (1985) Part 1

After a break to celebrate Brian's birthday, our hosts are back and ready to discuss an iconic 80s album by the British band Tears for Fears. Songs from the Big Chair was released in 1985 and produced several international hits, as well as some memorable videos.

Part 1: Background

Sarah fills us in on the band's main members, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, and the work they did together leading up to the formation of Tears for Fears. The band's first album, The Hurting, is discussed briefly, and then the focus shifts to the recording and release of the second album, Songs from the Big Chair.

Part 2: Personal History

In a rare role reversal, Sarah actually owned a real copy of this cassette, but Brian did not. Did he own the album in any form, and if so, did he play it? You may be as surprised as Sarah was to learn the answer.

Part 3: Track by Track

Brian and Sarah go over each of the four tracks on the first side. Each of them have some pretty strong opinions about the songs, but how much do they agree with each other, especially when it comes to the second track? They also discuss how Roland tended to be very unenthusiastic about what became the band's biggest hits.

Shout

The Working Hour

Everybody Wants to Rule the World

Mothers Talk

See the videos we discuss here:

Shout

Everybody Wants To Rule The World

Mothers Talk (Version 1)

Mothers Talk (Version 2)

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Episode 15: 80's Mix Tape - The Pixies, Katrina & The Waves, Thompson Twins, The Cult, & Pseudo Echo

Work on our 80's mix tape continues as Brian, Sarah, Colby, and, via telephone, an under-the-weather Beil compile five classic New Wave songs for side two! This week the group picks some truly great tracks, especially if you like stories of hobos on trains, large numbers of people getting fired, or the comic character Fido Dido!

Mix Tape Side Two - Track by Track

1. Colby's pick: "Here Comes Your Man" by The Pixies
2. Sarah's pick: "Walking on Sunshine" by Katrina & The Waves
3. Brian's pick: "In The Name Of Love" by The Thompson Twins
4. Colby's pick: "She Sells Sanctuary" by The Cult
5. Beil's pick: "Funky Town" by Pseudo Echo

See the videos we discuss here:

Here Comes Your Man

Walking On Sunshine

In The Name Of Love (Live)

She Sells Sanctuary

Funky Town

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Episode 14: 80's Mix Tape - Dexy's Midnight Runners, The Mission, The Church, Scritti Politti, & Depeche Mode

This week finds Brian and Sarah being joined by Colby Zell (guest co-host on the "Phantoms" episodes) for a change of pace from the regular album discussion. The trio is putting together an 80s mixtape of favorite songs from the era. Sarah, Brian, and Colby have each selected three songs to contribute to the tape, and after their selections are revealed, some lively discussion of the tracks ensues.

Mixtape Side One - Track by Track

1. Sarah's pick: "Come on Eileen "by Dexy's Midnight Runners
2. Brian's pick: "Deliverance" by The Mission UK
3. Colby's pick: "Under the Milky Way" by The Church
4. Sarah's pick: "Perfect Way" by Scritti Politti
5. Brian's pick: "Shake the Disease" by Depeche Mode

See the videos we discuss here:

Come on Eileen

Deliverance

Under The Milky Way

Perfect Way

Shake The Disease

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Episode 13: Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (1987) Part 2

A week has gone by since Brian and Sarah started discussing this late-80s classic by the boys from Basildon known as Depeche Mode. This episode finds our hosts ready to dive into the second side of the Mode's sixth album, but not before making a few more comments on their latest offering, "Spirit." Part 3 (Continued): Track by Track The five songs of the album's second side are examined one by one. Which track does Sarah consider to be the quintessential Depeche Mode song? Which video delights the hosts? Who has a problem with the song order on the second side? And what are those Russian voices saying at the beginning of "To Have and to Hold?" The answers can be found here! Behind the Wheel I Want You Now To Have and to Hold Nothing Pimpf Part 4: Final Grade Both Brian and Sarah are extremely fond of this album, as it has been a part of their lives for many years. So how difficult was it for them to review the album from a more objective point of view? And does Sarah finally decide to give her first rating of five record adapters? Part 5: Extra Credit The cassette and CD versions of "Music for the Masses" contain four bonus tracks. Brian asks for Sarah's opinions on each of these songs, and then poses the question of whether the album would have been helped or hindered if they had been a part of the official album. See the videos we discuss here:

Behind the Wheel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEAuMiKqP-4

Nothing (101 Version) : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kR2E4Is_6oE

Pimpf: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MR_rqDxDInI

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Episode 12: Depeche Mode - Music for the Masses (1987) Part 1

After a brief hiatus from the podcast, Brian and Sarah sit down to discuss one of their all-time favorite bands, Depeche Mode. The selected album is the 1987 opus, "Music for the Masses." However, before discussing the band's sixth album, the hosts can't resist taking a few minutes to share their initial thoughts on the fourteenth Depeche Mode album, "Spirit," which was released just two weeks ago. But then the focus shifts back to the 1987 and the album which marked some significant changes for Depeche Mode. Part 1: Background Brian fills us in on the whens and wheres of the album's recording, and Sarah explains one big difference between the making of Music of the Masses and previous Depeche Mode albums. Brian also reveals where this album and its related singles charted back in the day. Part 2: Personal History Sarah explains how she had what she'll claim to be a "backup copy" of this album, and muses as to when she actually received it. Brian tells a story common for the era, of being surprised by the album's release when visiting a local record store. Then he does the unthinkable and confesses to a crime! Part 3: Track by Track Brian and Sarah discuss each of the five songs on the classic album's first side. In doing so, they bring up the topics of drugs, religion, driving, iconic videos, cringe-worthy videos, and of course music! Find out which songs on the first side are standouts for the hosts, and which fall lower on the scale. Never Let Me Down Again The Things You Said Strangelove Sacred Little 15 See the videos we discuss: Never Let Me Down Again: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=snILjFUkk_A Strangelove (original): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JIrm0dHbCDU Strangelove '88: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3rn9aG82BA Little 15: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRI3MG7CHFk

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Episode 11: Styx - Kilroy Was Here (1983) - Part 2

Last week, Brian and Beil began a discussion of the 1983 concept album "Kilroy Was Here" from Styx, the late-Seventies powerhouse who were trying to make their way in the 1980s. This was the band's 11th record but the first to be released in and influenced by the fledgling New Wave movement.

Part 3: Track by Track Each of the five tracks on side two are discussed, along with the topics of hidden backwards messages, Japanese Shamisen, guitar-shredding machines, and which other Styx albums we would rather listen to than this one.

Heavy Metal Poisoning Just Get Through This Night Double Life Haven't We Been Here Before Don't Let It End (Reprise)

Part 4: Final Grade Each of our hosts try to be a little bit over-dramatic as they award "Kilroy" a final grade on a scale of 1 to 5 record adapters, you know, those things you used to have to use to play 45s....

Part 5: Extra Credit We mentioned many times over the course of these two episodes how badly the members of Styx were getting along at the time of this album. Now we ponder the question: Was it a good thing that this version of the band broke up after this album and wouldn't play together again for another 12 years??

See the videos we discuss at :

Heavy Metal Poisoning - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DWe1T5OdfrQ

Haven't We Been Here Before - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IEzLfPwl5cg

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