Nominated by: Tom
Music club: MNAC
MNAC playlist addition: Airwaves
In 1982 I was at Teacher's Training College in Auckland. For the only time in my life, I spent the year living alone nearby in a flat that my parents owned. It was a great year - I worked at Marbecks Records in my holidays (took my pay in records), and spent time doing teaching practicums in Hastings (NZ was at the FIFA World Cup and I stayed with a Scottish family) and Kerikeri (on a farm). Idyllic!
I was aware of Thomas Dolby of course, thanks to She Blinded Me With Science. It was hard to ignore - along with the radio coverage, the music video was all over TV's Radio With Pictures.
There was a lot of late seventies/ early eighties synth-pop that I'd enjoyed (and bought) such as Frankie Goes To Hollywood, Yazoo, A-ha, Thompson Twins, Tears For Fears, Devo, New Order, Gary Numan, and even The Buggles. Blinded Me With Science though didn't do it for me.
Having listened to his parent album 43 years later, I wish I could report otherwise - that I now love The Golden Age of Wireless, that I totally reverse my aversion to drum machines, and eighties production techniques. But, to thine own self be true.
Rather than dwell on what I still don't get, here is some good news: I enjoyed Airwaves, and his singing in general has appeal. At times he reminded me of Robyn Hitchcock who I love.
Aside from the self-indulgence I mentioned earlier, I'm not nostalgic for the eighties, so, while I can appreciate the appeal for those who may be, and while it was good to briefly revisit 1982 in my head, The Golden Age of Wireless is not really my cup of tea.
Thanks for sharing this one Tom. I'm keen to hear/read what Alex and Tom Jr make of it.
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