fine young cannibals: underrated

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Stringo and Amatrist otm

― gabbneb (gabbneb), Saturday, 7 May 2005 03:21 (eighteen years ago) link

> Who else hated that bass player's dance?

Memorably described in Smash Hits magazine at the time as resembling "a headless chicken being electrocuted underwater".

― Palomino (Palomino), Saturday, 7 May 2005 14:56 (eighteen years ago) link

I'm still astonished that "The RAw & the Cooked" was number one for several weeks and produced two number one singles during the blandest, most reactionary Top 40 period in years (spring '89).

I still love, love, love the Buzzcocks and Elvis covers. "Don't Look Back" sparkles like it's the kid sister of the Beat's "Best Friend."

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 18:45 (eighteen years ago) link

I don't remember it being that bland and reactionary ("Hangin' Tough" might be bad, but reactionary? Donnie's shirt said HOMEBOY! Don't forget the B-52's and Rhythm Nation 1814 and lots of new jack and all kinds of neat stuff but then I dunno what specific season of '89 I was hearing this stuff), but then that was the time I first started really paying attention to music so the novelty was pretty inherent for me (BATDANCE, yo!). I threw on Raw & The Cooked last night and I have to admit a lot of the album tracks are tinny as fuck. I probably like "I'm Not The Man I Used To Be" and "Don't Look Back" as much as I did when I first got the CD.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 18:57 (eighteen years ago) link

The "Rhythm Nation" stuff came out later in the year; and the good New Kids stuff and Prince's Batman soundtrack came out over the summer. Until Madonna's "Like a Prayer," the Cannibals and (alright, fine) the Bobby Brown-led new jack swing stuff was the only thing of interest between, say, February and April '89.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:00 (eighteen years ago) link

yeah the specific months of hits from my prepubescence MTV fanhood is kinda foggy.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:06 (eighteen years ago) link

my post sounds a bit persnickety, rereading it.

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:10 (eighteen years ago) link

haha it's ok! I wish I knew the succession of hits better myself. I didn't buy Green, my first self-purchased CD, until a year after it was out.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:10 (eighteen years ago) link

I was thinking I should have put "Blue" on my political CD.

― Tom (Groke), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:18 (eighteen years ago) link

What WAS on the charts in early 89. Donny Osmond's George Michael rip "Soldier of Love," I think.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:31 (eighteen years ago) link

Milli Vanilli

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:37 (eighteen years ago) link

well at least their album debuted that March

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:38 (eighteen years ago) link

hey REM's "Stand"!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:40 (eighteen years ago) link

#1 Song on Billboard’s Modern Rock Chart, February 4th, 1989: “Stand” by R.E.M.

went top ten pop too so I have to assume it was around the same time.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:41 (eighteen years ago) link

From a billboard pop charts list of the biggest hits of 1989:

STRAIGHT UP Paula Abdul (Virgin) (#1, Feb)
GIRL YOU KNOW IT'S TRUE Milli Vanelli (Arista) (#2, April) LOST IN YOUR EYES Debbie Gibson (Atlantic) (#1, March)
THE LOOK Roxette (EMI) (#1, April)
*SHE DRIVES ME CRAZY Fine Young Cannibals (I.R.S.) (#1, April)
LIKE A PRAYER Madonna (Sire) (#1, April)
THE LIVING YEARS Mike + the Mechanics (Atlantic) (#1, March)
ETERNAL FLAME The Bangles (Columbia) (#1, April)
WILD THING Tone Loc (Delicious Vinyl) (#2, Feb)
WHEN I'M WITH YOU Sheriff (Capitol) (#1, Feb)
BORN TO BE MY BABY Bon Jovi (Mercury) (#3, Feb)
MY HEART CAN'T TELL YOU NO Rod Stewart (Warner Brothers) (#4, April)
YOU GOT IT (The Right Stuff) The New Kids On the Block (Columbia) (#3, March)
WHEN THE CHILDREN CRY White Lion (Atlantic) (#3, Feb)
THE WAY YOU LOVE ME Karyn White (Warner Brothers) (#7, Feb)
FUNKY COLD MEDINA Tone Loc (Delicious Vinyl) (#3, April)
STAND R.E.M. (Warner Brothers) (#6, April)
ALL THIS TIME Tiffany (MCA) (#6, Feb)
RONI Bobby Brown (MCA) (#3, March)
WHAT I AM Edie Brickell and the New Bohemians (Geffen) (#7, March)
PARADISE CITY Guns N' Roses (Geffen) (#5, March)
I WANNA HAVE SOME FUN Samantha Fox (Jive) (#8, Feb)
SHE WANTS TO DANCE WITH ME Rick Astley (RCA) (#6, Feb) DREAMIN' Vanessa Williams (Wing) (#8, April)
HEAVEN HELP ME Deon Estus (with George Michael) (Mika) (#5, April)
SURRENDER TO ME
Ann Wilson and Robin Zander (Capitol) (#6, March)

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:46 (eighteen years ago) link

I believe that's their chart peak and the month of it. from this site

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:47 (eighteen years ago) link

I didn't know "Stand" was that big.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:51 (eighteen years ago) link

their SECOND top ten pop hit dude!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:52 (eighteen years ago) link

yeah I knew "The One I Love" was top 10.

But come to think of it, I think "Stand" was MTV's #5 or #6 video of 1989, so top ten status shouldn't be that surprising.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:53 (eighteen years ago) link

I'd like to look back at my favorite acts at the time (B-52's, REM, Prince, Fine Young Cannibals) and pat myself on the back for digging respected, interesting artists rather than NKOTB or whoever but I realize now the true connection between all of them is videos involving eccentric dancing.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 19:59 (eighteen years ago) link

Rereading the list of hits you posted, Anthony, I'm struck again by how friggin' gross most of those songs are.

(I bought "Stand" on 45! I thought I was so cool and alternative for being an REM fan!)

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 20:21 (eighteen years ago) link

Ned: I remember "Soldier of Love" and Michael Damien's "Rock On" being on the charts at the same time: double dosage of TV stars!

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 20:23 (eighteen years ago) link

(1) A lot of those songs are pretty good!

(2) I presume the Mike/Mechanics single was crap, but I don't remember it.

(3) Who were Sheriff?

(4) I think NKOTB are better in memory than if I actually had to hear them again. I used to make fun of a girl named Caitlin who liked horses and NKOTB. Sorry, Caitlin.

(5) "When the Children Cry" is a kitsch classic. My college roommate grew up down the street from White Lion's lead guitarist.

(6) OMG Karyn White!

(7) Is it time to revisit J0hn Darnie11e's Rick Astley story?

(8) "Deon Estus"?

(9) Ann Wilson and Robin Zander WTF?!

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:20 (eighteen years ago) link

(10) GNR, Milli Vanelli, and FYC obviously the best things on there. (I like Madonna, but not that particular record so much.)

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:21 (eighteen years ago) link

(11) I thoroughly enjoy the first Tiffany LP.

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:22 (eighteen years ago) link

For some reason I thought "Heaven Help Me" was by Maxi Priest but hey I remember the chorus hook more than the dude.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 21:41 (eighteen years ago) link

Karyn White was cool; so were the Deon Estus song (which sounds so much like George Michael it's no wonder George sings on it) and Rick Astley's "She Wants To Dance With Me."

Amateurist: Sheriff's "When I'm With You" is a hairy power ballad, originally released in 1985 but rereleased in '89. Come to Miami and you'll hear Mike's mechanical "Living Years" in every bakery and beauty parlor.

Shouldn't John Darnielle have written a song about his Rick Astley experience by now?

― Alfred Soto (Alfred Soto), Saturday, 7 May 2005 22:11 (eighteen years ago) link

Mojo Nixon did!

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 22:35 (eighteen years ago) link

I just listened to "She Drives Me Crazy"

Fantastic song. Benefits muchly from ripping the drum pattern (and to a large extent, the video) from New Order's "True Faith".

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Saturday, 7 May 2005 23:33 (eighteen years ago) link

same director. that kind of stuff is his thing.

― miccio (miccio), Saturday, 7 May 2005 23:34 (eighteen years ago) link

I figured it had to be.

I mean, if you're gonna do one style throughout your career, that's a pretty good one, with people as abstract art images moving in time to the music and whatnot. The "True Faith" video is easily one of my favorites of ever.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Sunday, 8 May 2005 00:51 (eighteen years ago) link

I'm kinda surprised here, Dr. Bill -- you surely *did* notice the cameo appearance of the two blue/orange/yellow guys from "True Faith" in the "She Drives Me Crazy" video at the time? That's precisely what confirmed my hunch!

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Sunday, 8 May 2005 00:56 (eighteen years ago) link

I notciced the similarity, but didn't realize they were the exact same guys by the exact same director.

Next time I catch either on VH1 Classic, I'll be sure to pay more attention.

― The Good Dr. Bill (The Good Dr. Bill), Sunday, 8 May 2005 04:54 (eighteen years ago) link

"I'm Not The Man I Used To Be" is not only a wonderful song, but a strong contender for best use of a "Funky Drummer" rip from that point in the late 80s when it was inescapable. Roland really does have a beautiful voice, and maudlin resignation suits it best.

― TV's Mr Noodle Vague (noodle vague), Sunday, 8 May 2005 10:38 (eighteen years ago) link

Hang on, it's "Make It Funky" isn't it, not "Funky Drummer". Still, golden.

― TV's Mr Noodle Vague (noodle vague), Sunday, 8 May 2005 12:26 (eighteen years ago) link

singer's falsetto actually frightened me with its intensity as a lad.

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Sunday, 8 May 2005 14:43 (eighteen years ago) link

Damon Wayans did a great parody of it on In Living Colour during a sketch about Soul Train.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 8 May 2005 14:51 (eighteen years ago) link

Remember the ILC Crystal Waters and Milli Vanilli video parodies?

"Yabba-dabba-DEE/yabba-dabba-DOO/ha-ha-HEE/ha-ha-HO..."

― Raymond Cummings (Raymond Cummings), Sunday, 8 May 2005 14:54 (eighteen years ago) link

I remember Roland Gift being compared to Otis Redding quite frequently. Maybe; but no lie, the way he sang from the top of his throat reminded me more of KC, of the Sunshine Band! Those '89 hits were OK but got too much airplay for my taste. I liked "Johnny Come Home" a lot more, and also "Suspicious Minds", a song which I HATED when Elvis did it. (I swear, I'll never understand why this is considered one of the alltime great Presley songs. Vegas horns + Nashville strings + Sweet Inspirations = an Elvis vocal that's virtually inaudible - even with his own harmonies overdubbed - and could be anybody.)

― Myonga Von Bontee (Myonga Von Bontee), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:05 (eighteen years ago) link

There should've been more Two Men, A Drum Machine And A Trumpet singles.

― $V£N! (blueski), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:18 (eighteen years ago) link

They played "Suspicious Minds" on VH1 a bit during the Raw & The Cooked era, but I never heard "Johnny Come Home" till years later on VH1 Classic. It is a terrific track.

― miccio (miccio), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:19 (eighteen years ago) link

I like how they disappeared when they did, leaving fond memories of two ok albums, rather than carried on stinking up the 90's. I could never understand the Otis Redding comparison, he sounded like some lost Trojan records act (Tony Tribe?) rather than a classic soul vocalist.

They did that 2 Men With a Drum Machine and a Trumpet house single which was rather good iirc, if anyone can to do a ysi I'd be happy.

― Billy Dods (Billy Dods), Sunday, 8 May 2005 15:56 (eighteen years ago) link

Amateurist: The Sherriff song is a classic. I'm sure you'd recognize it if you heard it. It centres on the word "baby" with vowels drawn out to at least eight extra syllables. "Baaaa-baa-y-aa-y-aa-y-yaa-y-aa-y/I get chills when I'm with you/Oh baaabaa-y-aa-y-aa-y-aa-y-aa/My world stands still when I'm with you-ooh-ooh-woah-oh-oh-oh" is an approximation of hte chorus.

That chart really touches something. Jeez, I haven't heard that Rod Stewart song in ages. Paula Abdul will always have a place in my heart (if maybe not on my stereo).

― Sundar (sundar), Sunday, 8 May 2005 16:20 (eighteen years ago) link

"the chorus"

― Sundar (sundar), Sunday, 8 May 2005 16:20 (eighteen years ago) link

IIRC Sherrif was led by Arnold Lanni, later of Frozen Ghost 'fame'.

I actually still kind of don't mind some songs from White Lion's Pride, although "When the Children Cry" isn't a favourite. Vito Bratta (the one who was probably Amateurist's roommate's neighbour) was possibly one of the more capable lead guitarists in that 'genre', I think. Search: "Hungry", "Wait".

― Sundar (sundar), Sunday, 8 May 2005 16:26 (eighteen years ago) link

There should've been more Two Men, A Drum Machine And A Trumpet singles.

$V£N! completely OTM.

(I had to scrounge up both UK and US versions of the 12" to get as much as I can out that side project.)

― donut debonair (donut), Sunday, 8 May 2005 17:12 (eighteen years ago) link

"She Drives Me Crazy" has two histories for me.. it was that song that I couldn't escape from Top 40 during the last months of my high school years... and then, when I would join college radio the second half of the year and discovery, essentially, underground rock.. Sub Pop, Amrep, Boner records bands.. sludgly, grungey, great stuff.. and then in 1990, The Raw And The Cooked was voted Best Alternative Album of 1989 according to CMJ, i knew the term "alternative" was dead dead DEAD!

― donut debonair (donut), Sunday, 8 May 2005 17:21 (eighteen years ago) link

was it ever truly alive?

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Sunday, 8 May 2005 17:36 (eighteen years ago) link

i sort of feel like "alternative" was a slightly corporatized euphemism for what had previously been considered "college rock" or "underground" or whathaveyou.

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Sunday, 8 May 2005 17:36 (eighteen years ago) link

but then i didn't start college radio until well after "alternative" had been almost completely gutted as a signifier. (i.e., mid-late 1990s)

― Amateur(ist) (Amateur(ist)), Sunday, 8 May 2005 17:37 (eighteen years ago) link

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