RADIO ZEBRA

Artist: RADIO ZEBRA

Title: Self Titled

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1980’s

Songs: 10

Label: Self Released

Style: AOR    

Radio Zebra seems to have been pretty much a mysterious outfit from back in the 80’s. Their lone private press self-titled album doesn’t have any liner notes or band pictures – However – my copy comes with a large color insert booklet which introduces all the band members.  There were six members and all but one were from the US, but the album was released in Europe.   They play a pretty by the number AOR set.  ‘Who Are You’ gallops along complete with an urgent chorus.  Both side openers ‘Drop By Drop’ and ‘Bitter Rain’ are solid melodic AOR tracks.   The saxophone really comes out to play on ‘Brooklyn Bridge’.  Closer ‘Midnight Blue’ employs new wave vibed sound effects and speeds along at a good pace.

J-R AND THE Z-MAN

Artist: J-R AND THE Z-MAN

Title: Several Times A Day  

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1986

Songs: 4

Label: Mad Man Records

Style: New Wave 

Los Angeles new wave indie rock band that had a cameo in the 1985 movie Tuff Turf – and also has a song on the movie soundtrack.   Catchy guitar led new wave pop rock.

APPLE CORE

Artist: APPLE CORE  

Title: Behind The Tear        

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1979

Songs: 10

Label: JSR Records

Style: Indie Pop Rock

New Jersey local rock band’s sole private album that is half covers and half originals.  They try the power pop moves, but don’t seem to be comfortable there.  They seem to have been more at home with straight ahead pop rock arrangements of the day.  The standout track is the upbeat ’25 Ways’, which has a garage rock flare and excellent crunchy guitar riffing. 

JOHN COMSTOCK

Artist: JOHN COMSTOCK

Title: Wish    

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1988

Songs: 8

Label: Real Time Records

Style: Rural Rock

A multi-talented singer song writer and guitarist who hailed out of Alexandria, VA.  This sole private offering is well crafted and produced modern rock with alternative and new wave flashes.  This music would have been perfect radio ready fare on the modern rock stations of the day, like Baltimore’s 99.1FM.  The tight polished ‘Hold You Tight’ is quite infectious as well as closer ‘Price Of Socializing’.

PAPER DOLLS

Artist: PAPER DOLLS

Title: Self Titled       

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1987

Songs: 8

Label: Sky Records

Style: AOR

All female AOR pop rocker with hints of new wave.  The band looks to have been from South Carolina.  Standout Cuts: ‘Blood And Fire’, ‘Invisible’ and the killer ‘Heartbeat’.  The closer is a punky cover of Hendrix’s ‘Fire’.

PAL JOEY

Artist: PAL JOEY

Title: Lies     

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1983

Songs: 4

Label: Sutra Records

Style: New Wave Rock

Pal Joey seems to have been some kind of Rick Springfield clone.  He doesn’t play any instruments, just sings and trys to look good.  The catchy EP title song and single ‘Lies’ had a music video made for it.  ‘Habit’ has a hauntingly cool synth melody.  

UNIVERSAL MUSIK NOISE

Artist: UNIVERSAL MUSIK NOISE

Title: Schizophrenia

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1987

Songs: 11

Label: Lela’s Lovely Label

Style: Indie Alternative

Universal Musik Noise was a female led indie alternative rock band from San Francisco, CA.  The album jacket doesn’t provide last names of the members, however the female band leader was named Lela.  The band bounces around with a variety of alternative rock styles coupled with quality guitar playing – they briefly dabble into punk and post punk arenas on a couple of songs.

SECRET CINEMA

Artist: SECRET CINEMA

Title: Glass Web      

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1988

Songs: 10

Label: RYLEH Records

Style: New Wave  

Secret Cinema was a three member outfit from Carrollton, TX.  This trio played new wave synth rock with ample portions period production quality – programming effects, drum kit drumming and lots of keyboard work.

JOHN PAUL AGE & SECTION 8

Artist: JOHN PAUL AGE & SECTION 8

Title: Thunder In The City   

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1985

Songs: 11

Label: Aviatrix Records

Style: AOR

Thunder In The City was a one off private press album done by musician and vocalist Jon Paul Age with backing band Section 8.  We have AOR with pompous moments courtesy of a prominent use of keyboards/synthesizers.  The band seemed to have been operating out of Rochester, NY.  Standout Cuts: ‘One Way Out’, ‘Twisted Love’, ‘You Oughta Know By Now’ and ‘Sister’.

THE HEALING FAITH

Artist: THE HEALING FAITH

Title: Self Titled       

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1987

Songs: 6

Label: R’LYEH Records

Style: Alternative

The Healing Faith hailed out of Dallas, Texas and sported an alternative garage rock DNA.  They add keyboards to the mix, which provides for a more creative alternative sound and adds in some power pop flavor, like in the catchy confection ‘Good Morning What’s Your Name’.  The album closer ‘Let’s Spend The Day’ had killer guitar crunching and riffing coupled with infectious melodies. 

WHITE LINE

Artist: WHITE LINE   

Title: Cruisin’ 

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1982

Songs: 8

Label: Music-Farm Records

Style: Hard Rock

Obscure private German hard rock band with a twin guitar attack.  The vocalist is moderate, gets the job done and fortunately has first-rate musicians supporting him – especially stellar guitar playing.  Album standout ‘Start It All Again’ is an exceptional song with lots of hooks and great guitar work.  Other notables are the creeping dark fuzz of ‘Adam’ and the progressive tinged ‘Look At The Sun’ with its synth work and tempo changes.

LIPSTICK STAINS

Artist: LIPSTICK STAINS     

Title: Get Stained…   

Format: Vinyl EP

Year: 1982

Songs: 5

Label: Self Released

Style: Indie New Wave Rock

Independent female led new wave indie rock group out of Atlanta, GA.  ‘See Me Through’ is a standout with its Missing Persons influenced melodies and arrangements, while the title song moves into more indie rock territory with slight punk vibes.  The 8 minute epic ‘Sweet And Innocent’ meanders with quirky new wavey rhythms, cool background voice effects and guitar soloing.

CELLAR JAM

Artist: CELLAR JAM   

Title: Self Titled       

Format: Vinyl LP

Year: 1988

Songs: 9

Label: Self Released

Style: Bar-Band Rock

Spirited rock band that you would find in your local area bar, doing their creative mix of Bruce Springsteen influenced good time rock and roll.

CONE OF SILENCE

Artist: CONE OF SILENCE              

Title: Self Titled       

Format: 7” Vinyl EP

Year: 1982

Songs: 4

Label: Mystic Records

Style: New Wave

Rare Hollywood, CA private press from new wave rock trio.  There are early Police influences here as well as power pop melodies added in for good measure.  ‘We Fade Away’ is a melancholic gem with tight arrangements and crisp guitar riffs.  The power pop formula is used in the chirpy ‘What’s The Use’.