Rolling Along Through a Rose Coloured Glow

Welcome to Season 2 Episode 11. After the extremely focussed and niche topics of the last 2 episodes, we go mainstream again with some of the biggest British artists of that era and beyond….

We start the episode with some feedback from American listener, Walt, who feeds back to us his love of the US punk scene. We then review the wonderful Kraftwerk concert that we both attended a couple of weeks ago. All of this, after a pointless discussion on the meaning of “wheel house”.

Our first song of this episode is the wonderful “Star” by Erasure. As with all things by Messrs Bell and Clarke, this is an upbeat, extremely catchy tune, but with a dark and less than rosy outlook (hence this episode’s title).

We then move on to “Burning Bridges” by Japan – it was a late and haunting addition to their “Gentlemen Take Polaroids” album and a B-side to “Cantonese Boy”

Another B-side follows: “The Sound of the Atom Splitting” by the Pet Shop Boys is not generally regarded as a fans’ favourite – we love the experimental rhythm and ironic conversational tone of the song.

China Crisis’ “Papua” is next – a song that drew the attention of Walter Becker of Steely Dan. It’s not surprising to see why, with its lush production and entrancing lyrics.

One of the Style Council’s biggest hits “My Ever Changing Moods” did not immediately strike us as an 80s nuclear war song, but it certainly is. Amidst its light funk music, is a dark story of impending doom, which is highlighted in the music video.

A less well known track concludes this fortnight’s selection: “The Lonely Spy” by Lori and the Chameleons is one of only two singles the band released. We love it. The band went on to other, better-known projects, but Lori didn’t, which is a shame. If you didn’t know this before, then find it on our updated playlist:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/4aHCNYfoQ2gtko5z6pwS9O?si=81bce0c59ff2470d

https://music.apple.com/gb/playlist/bang-101-more-songs-about-nuclear-war-from-the-1980s/pl.u-vxy6L76uzVzd8Zl

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Opening and closing music: (Waiting for the) Heatwave – Fay Ray, appears courtesy of Fay Ray. Written by John Lovering

Artwork: Rachel Malbon

Assistant Producer: Shivam Pathak

Opening words: Richie Wheeler

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