The Important Albums from 1980 for Tosh

 I turned 26-years old, working in a record store (Licorice Pizza), and only a handful of albums were essential to me in 1980. In no special order: Magazine's "Correct Use of Soap," Wall of Voodoo's first EP, The Cramps "Songs the Lord Taught Us," Human League's "Travelogue," Colin Newman's "A-Z," and The Feelies "Crazy Rhythms." Three of the albums were totally new sounds for me at the time: the Cramps, Wall of Voodoo, and Feelies. "Crazy Rhythms" I was really crazy about. At the time, their guitar orientated music sounded serious, and in a sense, sound like Television's younger brother. I also was impressed by how they allowed 'silence' between the tracks on the album. A moment to pause before the next aural adventure. -Tosh Berman

"Crazy Rhythms" by The Feelies (vinyl)

"Crazy Rhythms" by The Feelies is one of those unique recordings that caught my attention, like a cat seeing a bird in front of him/her.  I was working at Moby Disc (for only a week or so, and that's another story) when this album came out.  I was struck by the cover of four geeky guys.  At the time the only other geeky band was Talking Heads - but this band took 'geeky' to another level.  What I found on their L.P. was a guitar band that deals with dynamics of sound and textures. And the percussion work is excellent through out the album.  A combination of Television's first album and the first three solo Eno releases.  I am also impressed with the silence between the tracks on this album.  The quiet is just as important as the Yardbirds like - but still geeky - rave-up.  Remarkable album.