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The 1980s

I listened to the radio and bought my very own records for the first time in the 1980s. I was avid follower of pop radio until about 1986. Some of my favorite bands on the charts were Men At Work, Duran Duran and the Police. However, there were several influential bands (REM, Replacements, XTC) that found a home on college radio stations in the 80s that had a strong impact on power pop music.

The Police- Widely recognized as one of the greatest groups in rock history, the Police melded punk, rock and reggae to produce a truly unique sound. Each member was equally talented and innovative on his instrument. Their influence cannot be overstated. All of their albums are excellent, but their first (Outlandos D'Amour) and their last (Synchronicity) are their best.

The Replacements- They started out as a punk band and evolved into one of the most influential groups on college radio. They had a huge cult following, due in part to their reputation as alcoholics who boozed it up on stage regularly. But by the time they recorded their brilliant third album 'Let It Be,' Paul Westerberg could no longer disguise that he was evolving into a talented melodic songwriter. Elements of punk remained in their music throughout the 80s, adding a strong emotional impact and energy to their greatest album, 'Pleased to Meet Me.'

Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers- Petty's career began late in the 1970s, but his quintessential album, 'Damn The Torpedoes,' was released just before the dawn of the new decade in November 1979. 60s pop bands, especially the Beatles and the Byrds, are his greatest influences. However, Petty adds his own style to everything he does, with a distinctive voice and a nod to his southern roots. Living in California for so many years has perhaps diluted the raw 'southern rock' sound of the Heartbreakers early records, but Petty has churned out dozens of classic songs, making him one of the most important rock artists of the 80s and 90s. The band has recorded several classic albums including 'Southern Accents,' 'Full Moon Fever' and 'Into the Great Wide Open.'

XTC- They started out as a quirky new wave group and evolved into a brilliant band, paying homage to the best of 60s pop without sounding derivative. Andy Partridge is unquestionably one of pop's greatest songwriters and XTC's albums are impeccably performed and produced. 'Black Sea,' recorded while the band still toured with its original lineup, is an early creative peak. XTC subsequently became a studio band and emulated the immaculate production of the Beatles finest recordings on classics like 'Skylarking' and 'Oranges and Lemons.'

Robyn Hitchcock and the Egyptians- After the breakup of the Soft Boys, Robyn Hitchcock formed the Egyptians with two of the same members. Hitchcock is a strange genius who combines Lennon-esque melodies with truly bizarre lyrics. The band hit their stride in the mid-80s with three brilliant albums: 'Fegmania,' the live set 'Gotta Let This Hen Out' and 'Element of Light.'

The Jam- Their career actually spanned from the late 70s into the early 80s. Like the Replacements, the Jam's records capture the energy of punk. But songwriter Paul Weller was infatuated with the melodic sensibilities of the Beatles, making the Jam sound much more British. Hence they had several top ten singles in the UK but only cult success in the USA. Their third album, 'All Mod Cons' is a classic that combines the 'new wave' with the Beatles, circa 1965 .

Rick Springfield- Sure, he's pretty cheesy, but 'Working Class Dog' is an undeniable power pop classic. It would rank at number one on my list of guilty pleasures. His greatest hits is also worth seeking out, as he had a few memorable hits from the early 80s.

The Cars had a sound that helped define early 80s new wave: robotic songs with lots of synths and Ric Ocasek's peculiar voice. Their most successful LP, Heartbeat City was one of my favorites as a child.

Marshall Crenshaw's debut album is one of the decade's best records. It combines the melodic elements of the Beatles with the instrumentation and energy of  early rock and rollers like Buddy Holly. Most of his catalog is quite good and worth delving into.

More 80s bands and links: