The Vapors

[scramjet]

Here's a band that doesn't deserve to be a one-hit wonder, although they're often considered the epitome of such. Their 1st album, "New Clear Days" contains several enjoyable songs besides the monumental "Turning Japanese". My favorites are "Spring Collection", "Somehow", "Waiting for the Weekend" and "News at Ten".

They tried to be serious and mature on their second album, "Magnets", and the results were really awful. I just shudder when he croons sadly about his broken jar of homemade jam on "Civic Hall". The Vapors were much better when they were lightweight and a bit silly.

[skinnytie]

Don't be too hard on "Magnets". It may have a different sound from the pure pop of the first album, but it is no less terrific. Lots of good stuff on it, like "Jimmie Jnes", "Spiders", "Isolated Case", "Live at the Marquee", "Can't Talk Anymore", etc. e

[romanticide]

Absolutely freaking brilliant! New Clear Days made my Desert Island List. "Trains" is a masterpiece, especially on the UK version where it so sweetly segues from "America". "Spring Collection", "Waiting for the Weekend" (album version, not the butchere

[Ollie Stench]

I first heard "Turning Japanese" at a freinds house in 1979 or 1980 (whenever it was a single in the US). I was 11 or 12 and it was definately a turning point in my life.

Hey, I just dug thru the vinyl and found a sealed copy of the first LP! US versi

[romanticide]

Why anyone would have rereleased the Vapors discography after several greatest hits and anthologies is a mystery to me, but God Bless Captain Oi! for doing it. Chelsea, the Flys (the new wave UK band, not the recent American pop band), UK Subs, Penetrati

[devildog]

"Turning Japanese" was probably such an unexpected hit that these guys never recovered from the shock of it! To this day, I hear this song played all over the place. I would not be suprised if the muzak version of this song is being played in some eleva

[skinnytie]

I believe "Turning Japanese" wouldn't have been a hit here in the States if it wasn't used on the Gung Ho soundtrack. I believe it had been released for a while, and went nowhere, until it became popular off the soundtrack. Reminds me of "Iko Iko" by th

[romanticide]

I'm intrigued by skinnytie's last reply, on the topic of new wave hits becoming rock radio staples well after the fact. You had to live through it to really appreciate why this music was called "alternative" in its time.

If you didn't live in a major

[Spaz]

I saw the Vapors live 3 or 4 times, bought every single, both albums and was actually bummed out when I read in Trouser Press that they had broken up!

I still listen to both albums frequently (God Bless Captain Oi). Both albums are highly recommended t

[bpdp3]

Oh, I think the Vapors were a quintessential new wave band - - right time frame, right look, right sound, right graphics, even the 'right' short-lived existance...perfect.

Never thought of them as mod or power-pop, though I enjoy both genres and cert

[romanticide]

I would vote "yes" on new wave, mod, and power pop. See any K-tel new wave sampler for evidence of the former, see production by the Jam's Bruce Foxton for evidence of mod, and with sparkling, melodic guitar lead over jangly chords, how much more evidenc

[devildog]

You hit the nail on the head, Romanticide. I can recall kids in my high school who thought that Tears For Fears, Devo, Eurythmics, etc, were strange bands despite the fact that they had radio hits. What astounded me even more was these same kids would

[romanticide]

You hit the nail on the head, devildog. (Back at you!) In the early 1980's, new wave was not cool. It was too strange for "normal" folk to get into and too pop for "alternative" folk to stomach. I could be in with one crowd because I liked the Kinks,

[unguarded moment]

The Vapors' sound is Power Pop in the sense that yes, it IS Pop with Power, but they are not a Power Pop band. Power Pop is The Beat, Sorrows, Spongetones, Numbers, The Knack, Plimsouls, Romantics, Records, Flashcubes, Pleasers, 20/20, Mosquitos, Rooks,

[romanticide]

With all due deference to ElectricLash, who in addition to providing consistently insightful commentary to this forum, has hands down the best handle on this message board, I would argue again that the Vapors are Power Pop.

In addition to their musical