Who makes the cut? Who gets the axe?
In the spirit of this forum, let's keep the ten choices in the New Wave arena. (Like many of you, if I had to pick 10 from ANY genre of music, a handful of my new wave picks might not make the trip.)
Also, any band member that depart your selected group, their solo work is is fair game. So, if I pick Roxy Music, I can bring Bryan Ferry's stuff with me too. You can't however, pick Joy Division, then get the entire body of work of New Order. Group to solo careers okay; band members that depart group and form another group, no go. No greatest hits compilations goes without saying.
Here's my theory. If I'm going to be alone on a deserted island with only 10 artists/groups, they better have a few things going for them: diversity, longevity and originality. I couldn't possibly waste a pick on a promising IPO artist (debut album) and I'm sure not looking for two artists that have a similar sound. With that said, here are my ten new wave companions. It was VERY difficult to mull it down to ten. I left some really good stuff on the mainland.
U2--No brainer and the sheer breadth of music alone made this one relatively easy.
Talk Talk--If I didnÕt pick them, IÕd be ÒDum-Dum-Dum-Dum Boy.Ó Plus, I really like all of Mark HollisÕ solo stuff too..including Eden.
Lloyd Cole & The Commotions--I fell for this group at ÒRattlesnakesÓ and there was no looking back. Vibrant and lots of variety. LCÕs solo efforts including DonÕt Get Weird on Me Babe (my personal fave) and even his work with his new band The Negatives factored into the equation.
REM--What can be said that hasnÕt already been said about this creative group. I couldnÕt stop listening to South Central Rain then, and I canÕt stop now.
The Church--A plethora of innovative albums and killer songwriting (love Heyday), plus all of StevenÕs solo stuff? Easy decision.
Roxy Music--Just couldnÕt bear the thought of not listening to one of my favorite albums of all time, Avalon. And Bryan FerryÕs solo stuff isnÕt exactly chopped liver.
The Smiths--Tougher decision that I initially thought (read: wouldnÕt want to commit suicide by jumping off a cliff on this island), but IÕll take my chances. Too much diversity and talent to ignore.
China Crisis--Just a great happy sound that sounds like nobody else on my list. He just has one of those voices that you instantly recognize.
The Police--Are they considered NW? They played a pivotal role in the NW movement no? If anyone disagrees, IÕll gladly pick a replacement.
Echo and the Bunnymen--Another one of those truly unique voices. Love the guitar work and poetic lyrics. Killing Moon is just such a great song, along with dozens and dozens of others.
And so there it is. My deepest condolences to Robert Smith, Jim Kerr, Richard Butler, Elvis Costello, Roland Orzabel and many others for not getting the chance to watch me shake and convulse as I scour a deserted island seeking a cure to my caffeine headache.
Oh, also a sympathetic shout out to the tall shrewd, legislative bald guy from Midnight Oil who looks funny dancing (I cannot remember his name...and IÕm too lazy to cheat and look it up on the Internet).
IÕm looking forward to reading everyoneÕs responses. IÕm sure there will be many that I will see and go, ÒDamn, I canÕt believe I left THEM off.Ó DOH!
Sorry for the long-winded post.
Peace out, marc
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