People who dig ‘80s music are often divided into two groups: those that lived through the period and are feeling nostalgic, and those who missed it the first time around and want to experience it for themselves. It’s more than likely that someone on your holiday gift list falls into one of these two categories.
The trend of artists revisiting early works continues with “Key” (Modest!/Cooking Vinyl), the 10th solo record by Alison Moyet. Originally known as the voice of legendary 1980s synth-pop act Yaz (along with Vince Clarke of Depeche Mode and Erasure fame), Moyet maintained a successful solo career, releasing nine solo albums. In addition to two (!) new tracks (“Such Small Ale” and “The Impervious Me”), Moyet’s new renditions of “All Signs of Life,” “Is This Love,” “My Best Day” (originally a collab with Lightning Seeds), and “Love Resurrection” are fabulous, and if these new versions lead folks back to the originals, all the better.
The Brits got a head start when it came to the new wave genre. With bands such as Human League, Heaven 17, Depeche Mode, A Flock of Seagulls, Ultravox, The The, Soft Cell, and Eurythmics, among others, they set the standard for the rest of the world. Beginning with its third album, 1983’s “Quick Step & Side Kick,” the trio known as Thompson Twins (none of whom were named Thompson nor were twins) became a force in the scene. However, it was the group’s 1984 follow-up “Into The Gap” (BMG), newly reissued in various formats including a red vinyl LP and multiple CD box set to commemorate the album’s 40th anniversary, that brought them to the forefront, propelled by the hit singles “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor! Doctor!,” and “You Take Me Up.”
Chances are that most queer people have danced to a New Order song at some point. At a club, at a party, or in the privacy of their own home. Rising from the ashes of Joy Division following great tragedy, New Order expanded JD’s interest in electronic dance music (see “Love Will Tear Us Apart”) to become one of the most significant bands in the genre. In fact, New Order’s Bernard Sumner would later create Electronic, a side-project with Johnny Marr of The Smiths, and collaborate with Pet Shop Boys on a few tracks. Not bad for straight people, right? In 1986, New Order released its fourth album, “Brotherhood” (Warner Music), newly reissued in a breathtaking box set including the remastered CD (with “Bizarre Love Triangle” and bonus track “State of the Nation”) and original LP on 180-gram vinyl, a CD of rarities, two DVDs featuring live shows and TV appearances, and a 48-page hardcover book. This is the very definition of a gift.
In 1982, when Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released “Long After Dark” (Geffen/UMe), newly rereleased in an expanded, remastered, deluxe edition featuring seven previously unreleased tracks and more, the band already had four albums under its belt, including 1979’s critically acclaimed chart-topper “Damn The Torpedoes.” “Long After Dark” was another well-received album of the band, bolstered by the hit single “You Got Lucky.”
By the 1980s, the Jackson 5, known then as The Jacksons (since leaving Motown for Epic in 1976) had some highs and lows but were experiencing something of a brief resurgence. Even with Michael going full steam ahead with his solo career. The fittingly titled “Third Album” (Motown/Elemental), from 1970, newly reissued on 140-gram red vinyl, was an indication of the group’s maturity (check out the cover of “Bridge Over Troubled Waters” with Jermaine on lead vocals), as well as the massive hit single “I’ll Be There” sung by Michael.
When it comes to the phenomenal Kate Bush, there’s one thing upon which almost everyone can agree, her 1985 album “Hounds of Love” is an undisputed masterpiece. The album and its first single “Running Up That Hill,” released nearly 40 years ago, received unexpected and well-deserved attention when it was featured in the fourth season of “Stranger Things.” Leah Kardos’ “Hounds of Love” (Bloomsbury Academic, 2024), the latest (188th!) installment in the acclaimed 33 1/3 series, takes an in-depth look at Bush’s landmark album including a song-by-song analysis, fascinating connections to the LGBTQ community, and of course the album’s lasting endurance and traceable impact on countless artists.
Arriving as it did in 1986 after what many agree were the two weakest albums of Elvis Costello’s first musical decade (“Punch The Clock” and “Goodbye Cruel World”), “King of America,” newly reissued and remastered in multiple formats as “King of America & Other Realms” (UMe), could qualify as the first wave punk legend’s first official comeback record. The Judy Garland reference in “Jack of All Parades,” is sure to grab the ears of queer listeners on your holiday gift list, while the opening track, “Brilliant Mistake,” from which the album’s title is derived, takes on new meaning following the 2024 election. Also of significance is the inclusion of two cover tunes: “Don’t Let Me Be Misunderstood” and J.B. Lenoir’s “Eisenhower Blues.”
Not everyone on your holiday gift list may be infatuated with the 1980s. Weezer, one of the great success stories of the 1990s, probably didn’t have much of a queer fan base when the band released its 1994 self-titled debut album. But that possibly changed with the song “Pink Triangle,” about how the symbol created a case of sexual identity confusion. However, there’s still much to admire about Weezer’s debut, also known as the “Blue Album,” which has been reissued in a handsomely packaged triple-disc deluxe box set (featuring 50 tracks, 36 of which were unreleased), including the smash hit single “Buddy Holly,” and lots of other goodies.
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