#272: Frankie Goes to Hollywood - Welcome to the Pleasuredome (1984)

Zack: I was listening to this album while outlining. When I got to the third song, I fell into a deep trance and felt a sudden, insatiable urge to commit some sort of high-profile political assassination. Next thing I knew, I was almost done with my outline and I was listening to a cover of Born to Run that I didn’t know existed nor want. Not to say that this album wasn’t good, but don’t cover the Boss like that. You are not Bruce. You are Frankie. And you may be on your way to Hollywood, but Bruce is from Jersey, and we handle our business a little different in the Garden State. Actually, the cover wasn’t half bad. Neither was this album, which was much lower on the cheese quotient than the most well-known track would have you believe. It wasn’t a particular great album either, but considering some of the other New Wave we’ve come across, I’ll take okay any day.

Favorite Tracks: Relax; Black Night White Light; Snatch of Fury (Stay)/Welcome to the Pleasuredome

Emily: At some point in the early '80s, people were really into Frankie Goes to Hollywood. Now, they only had one hit in the US (and a few more in the UK), but that one hit inspired legions of fans wearing colorblock T-shirts telling the world that "FRANKIE SAYS RELAX." These T-shirts were most appropriately worn with leg warmers and crimped hair, of course, and I doubt many of their wearers were actually die-hard Frankie Goes to Hollywood fans, since it's pretty hard to be a die hard fan of a band with one album and one song that broke up shortly after both were released. But I'm sure Frankie has some fans out there who still love this album. And they probably still love their leg warmers too, since Welcome to the Pleasuredome is completely stuck in the '80s. It's a middling New Wave album with some schlocky ballads, a few neon-hued dance tracks, and a surprisingly good cover of Born to Run. Must like their eponymous T-shirts, Frankie Goes to Hollywood hasn't exactly aged well, but their music isn't a bad a blast from the past.

Favorite Tracks: Relax; Wish the Lads Were Here; Born to Run

#101: Bruce Springsteen - Born to Run (1975)

 

Zack: In New Jersey, speaking ill of Bruce Springsteen is a serious crime. In southern NJ specifically, where I hail from, it’s actually punishable by the death penalty. We take The Boss very seriously around here, thank you very much. Among his many great works, many argue that Born to Run is his best work. It’s not difficult to see why. It’s one of his most iconic albums. It has one of his most iconic songs on it. It even has an iconic cover. It has everything you need for a great experience from one of the most iconic musicians ever. But it has something else, on top of the greatness that oozes out of Bruce. It has an incredible, although understated, performance by Clarence Clemons on saxophone. The songs simply wouldn’t have worked without The Big Man blowing away in the background. Unfortunately, after 69 years that included a remarkably successful music career, he passed away due to complications of a stroke two days ago. Truly, the world lost an incredible musician and person that day. Clarence Clemons, you were born to play the tenor sax, and you will be missed.

Favorite Tracks: Born to Run; Jungleland; Thunder Road 

Emily: Bruce Springsteen is one of those iconic American musicians. He’s been making music for 30+ years, is always touring, and just knows how to craft great rock songs. This album is perhaps one of the earliest (and best) examples of Springsteen’s musical prowess. There’s powerful rock guitar and vocals from Springsteen himself, rounded out by the diverse instrumentals of the E Street Band. It’s a formula that’s built for playing loud, singing along, and seeing in concert – arena rock at its best.

Favorite Tracks: Jungleland; Born to Run; Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out