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As disco music swept the nightspots of New York and California with its infectiously rhythmic beat, New Wave bands began to appear in England.
It was inevitable; a return to basic instruments — two guitars, a bass, and drums signalled a return to rock's simpler. less sophisticated roots, which many of us had begun to long for. So, out of the streets of London and Manchester came the New Wave bands Elvis Costello and the Attractions, Blondie, Graham Parker and the Rumour, Joe Jackson, Nick Lowe, and Rockpile. The Stiff record label was the first to really promote these artists; from an obscure company, Stiff became the number one New Wave label by 1978.
The New Wave artists will probably be around as long as any and, I hope they reflect the type of music we'll be hearing in the '80's. Here is a list of a few of the best bands:
(1) Elvis Costello and the Attractions: Costello's music is high energy and quite simple, with infectious beats and strong hooks. Though his looks may scare you away, his music is dynamite. Costello has three albums, My Aim Is True (1977), This Year's Model (1978), and Armed Forces (1979). The production jobs are ultra-crisp (via Nick Lowe), especially on his latest, and his new album is due out soon.
(2) Blondie: No, they are not a disco group! Deborah Harry's vocals are street tough, the music is cutesy but infectious. Mike Chapman (of The Knack fame, handles the controls to produce a clean, albeit a bit too commercial sound. Buy Parallel Lines before Eat To The Beat; it's excellent.
(3) Joe Jackson: Sounding like a hoarse Steve Miller, Jackson places emphasis on the power of the hook and his lyrics. He writes ballads, thumpers, and slow rock. Look Sharp! is excellent, I'm the Man isn't as good but the first side is terrific.
(4) Nick Lowe: The most wanted producer in New Wave. A former member of Brinsley Schwarz (now the Rumour), Lowe has a squeaky voice but his songs run the gamut from country rock to slow ballads. Labour of Lust, his latest, is an amazing album, filled with sexual suggestions and tales of lost love.
(5) Graham Parker and The Rumour: The Rumour is fiercely dedicated to their new front man. Parker's songs, like Joe Jackson's, span the entire range of pop music from driving rock to acoustic ballads. Squeezing Out Sparks (1979) is his latest effort and without a doubt his best. The musical quality is very rich thanks to producer Jack Nitzsche and the best back-up band (who have many of their own albums) in New Wave. The lyrics are very heavy, too.
(6) Rockpile: Two Rockpile albums appeared this year: Nick Lowe's Labour of Lust and Dave Edmunds' Repeat When Necessary. Both Lowe and Edmunds are the core of Rockpile, which, next to The Rumour, is the finest band in New Wave. Edmunds' country-style guitar adds a definite character to Rockplle's sound which is not heard in any other band. Though his writing is decidedly inferior to Lowe's more infectious tunes, his songs are nonetheless satisfying.
Finally, some New Wave bands to keep an eye on: The Records, The Shoes, Jules and the Polar Bears, and The Beat.
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