Written by Jacob Flores, Staff Writer
Old Releases Ranging from 1960s – 2000s.
Previously known for being in the pop group Wham, George Micheal has been a culture defining artist and songwriter in the MTV era of music history. On September 3rd, 1990, George Micheal released his second solo studio album Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1. Having already gone through the previous success of his debut solo album “Faith” in 1987, George was trying to transform his old boy band “pop star” appearance into becoming a more serious solo producer in the music scene.
Prioritizing making music more than his image, George mixed the genres of R&B, pop, and rock to break musical barriers that could relate to both white and black listeners around the world. Naming the album Listen Without Prejudice, to definitively tell the message for listeners to “listen to the record without judgement or opinion”. It’s songs such as Freedom! ‘90, Praying for Time, Cowboys and Angles, Waiting for That Day, and Waiting (Reprise) that implement the acoustic, and somber instrumentation to match George’s maturing lyrical themes.
With the feelings of heartbreak, self growth, and the hard truth of stardom being heard and felt throughout the album’s contrast of songwriting, it’s the premise of maturity that makes this album stick out from any other artist’s record being produced at the time.
Upon Listen Without Prejudice Vol.1’s release, it was received with critical acclaim and became a worldwide success almost immediately, proving George’s vision as an influence to artists and musicians alike. With plans for a Listen Without Prejudice Vol.2, set to release in 1991, it was initially canceled due to publishing rights, making volume 1 all the more sacred to listeners in today’s standpoint. However If it wasn’t for this defining album in George’s career, we may have never gotten the full musical potential George Micheal embraces in his future records and discography that span over a decade.
Without Prejudice Vol.1 by George Micheal is an album with no skips and is universally connective.
As the deep and psychological themes of Tears for Fears were evolving in the late 80s, their catchy melodies mixed with the insatiable blend of new wave and synth pop didn’t seem to digress. Released on September 25th, 1989, The Seeds of Love debuted as the third studio album in the Tears for Fears catalog, and was the first major switch up the band needed musically to continue their diverse reputation heading into a new era.
After the following release of Songs from the Big Chair in 1985, Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith were tired of recording and composing music on the same old machines and sequencers heard all throughout the previous two albums the band had recorded. With the striving sensation of change, the group decided to add human touch, moving away from the heavy melodic textures and implementing a more lush, organic, and sophisticated style of production. Having the vibrant sounds of pop, jazz, soul, and gospel, the band took inspiration from artists such as Barry White, Steely Dan, Little Feat, and The Beatles. Mixing those inspirations to create the dynamic barrier of a pop essence contrasted with the dark, emotional, and personal opinions of political commentary.
Tracks such as Sowing the Seeds of Love, Standing on the Corner of the Third World, Woman in Chains, Famous Last Words, and Advice for the Young at Heart, perfectly showcase the group’s dynamic lyrical implementation to its finest. Representing the vision both Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith implied from the very beginning, and implying the future musical pathway for the band in the 90s.
As perfectionism and hard criticism came to garnish the albums critical and commercial success, the big switch up in theme and genres Tears for Fears implemented was one of the most inspiring movements at the time and was found as a defining moment for music history in the 80s.
If ever searching for an album that carries the vibrant sound of the 80s, The Seeds of Love by Tears for Fears is the answer.
After leaving the Mod Revival and Punk Rock group The Jam in 1982, Paul Weller formed The Style Council to explore the new sounds of op, jazz, soul, and even rap.
On March 16th, 1984, Café Bleu debuted as the first studio album by The Style Council, and was the major leap Paul Weller needed to create a diverse contrast between his punk roots. Having Mick Talbot be the right hand man on keyboard, both Weller and Talbot treated The Style Council as an open-ended collective of artists, that differed from your traditional rigid rock band. Collaborating with the hit duo Tracey Thorn and Ben Watt from Everything but the Girl, to help add the melancholy and cafe aesthetic heard throughout the album’s musical themes.
Depending on the implementation of Talbot’s bluesy and bright piano as lead instrument, Weller wanted to contrast the sounds of pop, and jazz to throw listeners and critics who were expecting the more “Punk and heavy sounding” side of Weller’s previous contributions. From the subtle pop sounding style of My Ever Changing Mood, to the more reluctant and loud jazz style of You’re the Best Thing, and Headstart for Happiness, it’s the diverse dynamic of genres and acoustics that makes each song so different from one another.
Although Weller did keep one implementation of the punk roots in his music, that being the political and adverse views of anti-theatracism. Bringing up topics such as nationwide political strikes, inherited wealth, and the power of the ruling class, it serves as Paul Weller’s direct criticism towards British communism and the worldwide crisis happening in the early 80’s.
Café Bleu by The Style Council has the perfect blend of sophisticated pop with refined sounds of jazz and soul.