Popdose - Latest Comments in Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:42:13 -0000

It's right up there, but cases can certainly be made for 52nd Street, Songs In the Attic, The Nylon Curtain, An Innocent Man, and River of Dreams (the last one being my personal fave).

But no doubt, The Stranger's a classic.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:41:08 -0000

OK, THAT single was weak too... Though it's hard to argue with its success. Billy himself dimisses it as "a horrendous drone" now. It also became outdated pretty quick.

But the rest of the album was solid, and much of it ("Extremes," "Downeaster Alexa," "Shameless," "And So It Goes," the title song) just fantastic.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:38:17 -0000

Yeah, "Modern Woman" was lousy... Billy himself hates it and kept it off Greatest Hits 3 himself. It was written for a long forgotten movie, and that's probably why it doesn't hold up against most of Billy's other stuff.

River of Dreams is a killer album, start to finish. Highly underrated, and one of the best of 90's. I was sad he hung it up after that, but at least he went out on top.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:35:56 -0000

Get your ears cleaned out.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:35:42 -0000

Thank you Theo... Even though you posted this two years ago, it's nice to hear someone saying something nice about Billy Joel on this site.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:34:49 -0000

Exactly... Billy put together a great body of music (and hits) in the 80s. As opposed to Elton who put some incredibly dull, bland, lifeless music in the 80s (and beyond).

Yet Steed dismisses Billy's stuff as "bland"? Chrissakes... Has he even listened to The Nylon Curtain and then turned around and put on An Innocent Man?

I mean, Don Freakin' Johnson's on this list and he's calling Billy Joel "bland." Unreal.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Guy Smiley — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 21:31:48 -0000

The song was just "Pressure"... "Under Pressure" was Bowie and Queen. The album also had a song you may remember called "Allentown." That was a sizable hit too. It's also, possibly, Billy's very best album. Very eclectic in its sounds, and some of the best songwriting of his (amazing) career.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Landon Kemp — Thu, 08 Sep 2011 21:59:10 -0000

The Jets: Oh my gosh, I LOVE THOSE GUYS! And I agree, they were rather under-appreciated. I learned about them when I heard they did the unbelievably catchy theme song to Chip 'N' Dale Rescue Rangers, and I decided to check some of their stuff out, which I wound up liking. I have their Greatest Hits and two of their albums, but I would like to get my hands on their first album, since there are a few cool album tracks on that one. I agree that "Rocket 2 U" is unbelievably funky.

Billy Joel: I'm a big Billy Joel fan, and the way your opinion about him sways from time to time is rather unusual to say the least.

Elton John: I'm a big Elton John fan as well, and I personally didn't think "Heartache All Over The World" or his "Leather Jackets" album was all THAT bad. It's your opinion, though.

Jesse Johnson's Revue seems pretty cool, despite not hearing about it until this series. I love Prince, and I know I like the Time a lot, so whenever I hear of someone that has been an associate or protegee of Prince is enough to catch my interest.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Rob — Thu, 06 May 2010 16:11:21 -0000

Check out the original members of The Jets reunited for another album this summer! www.crushonthejets.com

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Brad — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 00:18:48 -0000

Garland Jeffreys also had several huge hit singles (which charted) in Europe: Hail Hail Rock N Roll, Matador and The Answer. It's a shame he's not more recognized in his home country. You can get a good introduction to his classic songs by finding his Channel (gjeffreysadmin) on YouTube.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

David_E — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 22:34:09 -0000

FOUND IT!

BWA-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-haaaa...!

And, even though it's a hissy demo, it's so much better than the overproduced Don Johnson and Jeff Healey versions. Sad, instead of overblown.

Happy to share ...

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

DDay — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 10:41:15 -0000

Wow, Garland Jeffreys never scored over in the US? Here in Europe (Belgium) he had a big hit with Matador in 1979. And he sort of made a comeback with the fantastic Don't Call Me Buckwheat album in 92.
Seriously, have a listen to http://www.youtube.com/watc...
Highly recommended.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Sharon — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 01:56:06 -0000

It was me, I'm totally guilty. I bought the Heartbeat album AND the video cassette, there I said it. But I only have the one. I was young. I didn't think it was too bad. Ah well, another misguided youth.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

jefito — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:47:55 -0000

Indeed. I suppose this means "Wrap Her Up" made the Top 40.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Chris X — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 05:34:49 -0000

couple decent tracks here this week. The Jets are indeed underrated. I started reacquainting myself with them a few weeks back, and I feel like I'm better off for it. I've almost, but not quite, gotten to the point where I feel comfortable adding them to my DJ rotation. Maybe I'll give one a spin tomorrow and see how it goes over. For as all over the airwaves as they were back then, I NEVER hear them anymore. I'd think "You Got It All" would at least get some semiregular airplay these days.

Don Johnson. Look, Sonny Crockett is pretty much the best dude ever, but should have stayed out of the recording studio.

The Holly Johnson song is pretty good, though I wouldn't put it ahead of the Frankie stuff. This is the first I've heard this song, and it sounds a little more mainstream than the average Frankie tune.

I saw Joan Jett less than two years ago and yeah, total babe still. I attribute this to her veganism.

Does the world really need a JJ Fad reunion? "Supersonic" was fun and all, but really. I have a feeling their tour will be attended by crickets and tumbleweeds. I daresay Fannypack already has their market cornered these days, and really, nobody even cares about them post-"Cameltoe."

And wait, Fergie covered "Supersonic"...I am so glad I don't pay attention to whats' going on in popular music these days, because I will die a happy man knowing I never had to suffer through that.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Old_Davy — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 22:43:48 -0000

Another vote for Nylon Curtain being the best Billy Joel album ("Surprises" is a great great song), although a strong case could be made for Songs In The Attic.

I find it incredible that Elton had only one song that qualified for this list. Most of his 80's material is dookie on a plate (which has become my new unofficial favorite phrase.)

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

Jeff — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 19:38:31 -0000

Agreed on Joan Jett at 51. Also, that Garland Jeffreys record is a pretty good one.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

jefito — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:15:01 -0000

In my defense, I was 11 or 12. I didn't start to suspect something was amiss until "Storm Front," led off with the Single Which Must Not Be Named.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

David_E — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:12:41 -0000

I just remember barfing. "Modern Woman" was the beginning, middle and the end of the end for me (with maybe 2-3 tracks from River of Dreams betraying my thesis).

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

jefito — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 18:09:07 -0000

I can still remember almost barfing with anticipation when I tuned in to hear our local Top 40 station premiere "Modern Woman."

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

steed — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:46:51 -0000

Well, at least someone agrees with me. I heard "Keeping the Faith" the other day on XM and couldn't stand it. I know I was dancing along with that growing up.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

David — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:43:01 -0000

Dave, What about the Johnny Average Band? I don't remember seeing them listed in the letter 'A'

By the way ... love this weekly segment!!!!!

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

jefito — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:16:52 -0000

For what it's worth, Dave, I agree with you. I spent years listening to almost nothing but Billy Joel, but when I go back to his stuff now, it doesn't do much for me. I wish it did, but...yeah, I think "bland" is a pretty apt choice of words.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

steed — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:59:42 -0000

I know, I know...I don't know what happened - I used to think all of those words you used to describe him but I hear "bland" right now. That's not to say everything is bland...maybe I'm just hearing the wrong songs right now. I completely hear you...I need some kind of kick in the ass to get back to the point where I loved him.

Re: Bottom Feeders: The Ass End of the ’80s, Part 46

arensb — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:13:44 -0000

I think the truck driver's gear change at the end of "Heartache All Over the World" indicates that Elton John knew the song wasn't particularly good.