Medialoper

We're Not Who You Think We Are

Archives for June 1984

The Dream Syndicate – Medicine Show

by

(A&M)

As Published in the Dead Air Diary June 1984

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It was obvious by the Dream Syndicate’s stage show that they are aiming their sound towards the mainstream, a suspicion I had when I was listening to this record and comparing it to the better Days of Wine and Roses. Gone is the feedback-laden guitar ambience of that record, having been replaced by keyboards and more conventional guitar solos. Still there is Steve Wynn’s psycho voice, (“Yeahhhhhh,” “Awwwwwww”) and some great songs (“Still Holding on the You.” “Burn” and all of side two) make it worthwhile. If they do break, they’ll be mainstream with a difference just like their idols Lou Reed and Bob Dylan. List price: $6.98.

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R.E.M. – Reckoning

by

(I.R.S.)

I hate to say it, but this is my favorite album of 1984. I really tried to resist, but this album has been the soundtrack of my life for the last two months. Despite the rave reviews of reckoning that you’ve read everywhere, it isn’t Murmur, (my all-time favorite album). What it is, however, is the guitar on “Time After Time (annElise)” burning its way into my head and the way “HarborcOat” kicks in with its double-tracked chorus and how “so. Central Rain” and “7 chineSe bros.” should be top ten singles and the way “letter Never seNt” grew on me like mold on bread and the incredible riffs that run through “little america” & “Pretty Persuasion” and the all-out Rock of “second Guessing” versus the beauty of “camerA” and the sing-along chorus of “(don’t Go back TO) ROCKVILLE.” That’s all. Just another collection of great Rock and Roll songs, each with its own personality but unified by an overall, and right now unbeatable, sound. Oh yeah, best show I’ve ever seen at the Star Palace.

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As Published in the Dead Air Diary June 1984