early 80s British New Wave

[Rit]

Of the indisputable Kingpins of the early 80s British new wave-indie scene, which of the five bands was best or most important, or most likeable, or anything else you'd like to mention?

I picked these 5 because i think that they had the most lasting effect and influence on succeeding years and indie scenes, but you're welcome to pick any other bands that you think qualifies.

[Rit]

Personally, i think the argument is best sharpened (and virtually comes down to) the following juxtaposition:

New Order's Power, Corruption and Lies album vs.
The Cure's Pornography album vs.
The Smiths' The Smiths self titled album.

All three are tremendous. Picking between them is like choosing between apples and oranges, all three being influential, era-defining, and scene-stealing.

[Rit]

ultimately, i'd go with New Order.

[Rit]

wait. i take that back. The Cure it is.

[Adam]

I can't decide.
You're evil, man.

[riley]

I go with The Smiths, bearing in mind an infinite respect for their counterparts listed.

The Smiths straddled so many lines and designed so many conscious contradictions, but ultimately what's impressive with regard to them getting so much attention, was how they surfaced with a guitar based sound that had all but disappeared amidst artists like New Order and Depeche Mode when electronic taste was the flavour.

Morrissey's approach to lyrics and vocals were clearly different from much of the resident musical landscape of the day, but far more subtley, Marr incorporated a jingle jangle guitar vibe that moved away from distortion without losing any bite or substance. He threw in rockabilly tid bits seemlessly without sounding like some sort of ridiculous British hay ride interlude. There are bits of warm reverb on those albums that thousands of guitarists since have not been able to replicate.

For music that should have been easy enough for most people to listen to, there was enough depth and originally tinged with cynical weirdness that the sounds still weren't even close to being ready for mainstream, and still aren't.

New Order and Depeche Mode revolutionalized the music from the clubs onto people's stereos, but The Smiths took clever guitar based pop music to a new level that has rarely been matched before or after their shift.

[riley]

For my 2 cents worth on the others.

I always see Echo as the dark horse from the era, creating a downtrodden edgier pop sound without slipping into white distortion territory. Perhaps the most under appreciated British catalogue of the last 25 years. There new disc is one of my faves this year. Almost a shout out to the replicators that they can still do it and not to forget who's sound you're borrowing.

The Cure hit the shit to brilliance scale with more ease than just about any band of the last 30 years. When it works, no one can touch them. When they miss, they miss badly. I always felt the misses were when Fat Bob was more focussed on posturing and what they "should" sound like, rather than just creating what came naturally at the time. I love the sombre Cure ("Fascination Street") juxtaposed against the melancholic pop Cure ("Just Like Heaven"). I can never decide which approach I prefer.

New Order and Depeche Mode were always in the same book for me, but on different pages. Interesting that both bands were creating music rooted in electronic sounds, with New Order initially concentrating on sound versus popularity and Depeche Mode getting a bit wrapped up in being pop stars. More recently it appears DM are maturing somwehat and spending more effort on songs, where NO are still putting decent songs, but sound a little redundant at times and almost Kylie-esque.

[riley]

those were long. sorry.

[Dr. Drum]

Short and sweet from me – of the bands listed, Smiths, Bunnymen, New Order, The Cure and Depeche Mode, in that order. Morrissey and Marr wrote the most enduring songs and I believe they'll continue to stand as such. And, as you say, there was originality to the way they swept everything from British music hall to rockabilly into their blender.

An even darker dark horse than the Bunnymen, though – The Chameleons.

[maarts]

Yes indeed! Strange Times and Script From A Bridge are classic wave-albums (I feel a Top 25 Greatest Wave-albums coming up one of these days!). Amazing that bands like that and like And Also The Trees, Sad Lovers And Giants and Kitchens Of Distinctions, who I think were wonderful in that era never got their due respect...

This is tough. Joy Division I'd rate top, so New Order'd follow suit but not all of their output's equally as strong. Power Corruption & Lies is great but my affinity lies mostly with albums like Low-Life and especially Brotherhood (I'd rate All Day Long over anything on Power!). Their forays in more danceable music was OK but not always great...
The Smiths is a band that didn't make me want to stay in my bedroom all the time, sucking my thumb and sniff washing powder whilst moaning softly along to Moz's lyrics. I just loved Marr's guitarwork, sometimes crafty, sometimes enveloping you in some clever themes while Moz counterpointed that with some great vocal lines....

And then Fat Bob and his gang...

As I said, tough choice.

NO Kylie-esque? Hooksy's arse'd eclipse Minogue twice over!

[riley]

There's at least one song on their newest disc that makes me think of Kylie Minogue for some reason. Thing is, it's a cool song ("Turn" maybe?). Probably not fair, just the same to taint their whole recent output with a comment designated to one song half heartedly.

[Rit]

Riley, never apoligze for a long post.
that was great.

[Rit]

the Smiths are winning out, i see, and the Bunnymen are lagging behind.

[Rit]

bloody laggards

[bowiglou]

this was a tough one but I went with Echo..I adored the Smiths right from the gate with their debut and I did see the Smiths on the Meat is Murder tour......however, though I dutifully bought all the Smiths (and many of Morriseys) albums, I have found that with years now gone, many of Morriseys whines and moans sound border on pathos and insufferable self-absorption.....whereas Echo never had that feeling..I can still listen to Rescue Me and am most enamored.........

Depeche Mode never did a thing for me.

New Order I did rather like....bought their debut (Movement) way back then and it was still very Joy-Divisiony in sound and spirit...and of course we all oved Power Corruptions and Lies and only slightly less so the subsequent release..but from about 1985 on they did seem to me to be more of a dance band than anything else.....

The Cure.......wasn't a huge fan at first as I couldn't weather Smith's voice..but I rather got into them with Head in the Door (?) and a few others.........liked them, but I was never quite part of the "mope rock" scene.....

so, it is a virtual first way tie with Smiths and Echo but have to go with the latter....