New Wave
Noah’s Barks pages relating to the new wave music genre.
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Pretenders – “Pretenders” (1980)
I’ve got "Brass in Pocket" as I reflect on going from hating the hit ’80s single to loving it. I can’t be a pretender. (read more)
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The Wake – “Assembly” (2002)
Oi, The Wake tricked me with Assembly, so this review is dedicated to the other five fans of The Wake. The compilation Assembly ostensibly has five unreleased songs, but it’s actually two. “Rise and Shine” is a demo of “Sail Through.” “Make You Understand” is “World of Her Own.” “The Calendar” is “Torn Calendar.” They’re… (read more)
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Grace Jones – “Nightclubbing” (1981)
Nightclubbing is kind of like the Kraftwerk of dub. Every note calculated, pulled off with robotic precision, and just generally soulless. In other words, I find it quite boring. I would call myself a robot lover too, though that usually only extends to mecha and things not based in reality, because reality is dull. There is palpable… (read more)
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The Cars – “The Cars”
The Cars really could have used some more muscle. Some of the band’s best hooks are played so weakly that they don’t excite as much as they could. The riff on “You’re All I’ve Got Tonight” is so underplayed, for example, and yet it’s still the best song here. The songwriting isn’t all that exemplary… (read more)
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Modern English – “After the Snow” (1982)
Hey, it’s Modern English, the one-hit wonder band! That one hit of course being the phenomenal “I Melt With You,” one of the most beautiful rock singles ever made. But other than that song, who really gives a damn about Modern English? This guy right here. I’ll tell you straight up: there is not one… (read more)