Getting the Message, Again
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Artist:
You can get reconnected to music in the most unlikely ways, and in the most unlikely places. Weather-wise, things are cooling off in Southern California after a brutal heat wave that had the area on simmer for almost a week. While grabbing lunch on the Sunset Strip under the awning of a French bistro/sidewalk café called Le Petit Four, I overhear a song that's blasting out of a passing sports car.
I'm thinking it's familiar. I love that song. So lively, so seductive. It's, it's…I'm not sure. Wait. That voice. It's Neil Tennant of the Pet Shop Boys, but that's not a Pet Shop Boys song. And then…BAM! I remember. It's "Getting Away With It" by Electronic, something akin to a new-wave supergroup. From 1989 to 1999 or so, Electronic was a side project for New Order singer and guitarist Bernard Sumner and ex-Smiths guitarist Johnny Marr. The duo, plus select pals, produced three studio albums and a best-of collection. And early on, they collaborated with Tennant on a number of songs. Their first album Electronic features "Getting Away With It" and my favorite of all their tracks "Get the Message."
The video for "Getting Away With It" is below, and above the post, you'll find a stream of the full-length album version of "Get the Message." If you like the artists involved and haven't heard this material, here's a chance to plug into Electronic.
"Getting Away With It"
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Comments (16)
This is great! These guys are both familar and obscure -- few people know this band. I also love the Johnny Marr and the Healers CD that came out a few years ago -- great workout music.
As a side note -- New Order holds my personal record for shortest show by a headliner -- 45 minutes at First Ave. in Mpls. They seemed like they didn't want to be there and, for a new wave Minneapolis crowd, it got a little hostile.
I can not begin to tell you how much I loved this album then and now. being a huge New Order fan, I remember hearing this track for the frist time at First Ave. during a Sunday night danceteria. I asked the dj who it was, he told me and the next day I was out looking for the cassette. I brought that cassette to college, and it played endlessly during my first year of university. It has been a while since I have listened to it, and I think it will be playing on my way in to teach tomorrow morning
At the time "Getting Away With It" was released it was one of my favorite songs. Although it was a side project, it got me interested in going back to my old Pet Shop Boys and New Order tapes, which was refreshing because I wans't so happy about what was popular at the time.
Hey! I just realized I posted this on New Wave Wednesday. How 'bout that?
funoka: Yeah, it's odd how few people know/remember this stuff. Doesn't make it any less ear-worthy though.
Rawkkiddoh: That's what I like to hear. Figures you'd be on it, Kevin.
gympumpkin: All right! Another in-the-know Trusted heard from. As far as I know, these guys can do little wrong, whether in their more famous ensembles or in other combos.
"While grabbing lunch on the Sunset Strip under the awning of a French bistro/sidewalk café called Le Petit Four, I overhear a song that’s blasting out of a passing sports car"
That's the Mike the Knife I know!!! I treasure tales like these.
I didn't know this song...................but it's spinning now and I like it...................(how can a youtube video be spinning? Well............I can make everything spin. Everything exept heads".
Oh, Henry! You make it seem like I'm bragging. ;-)
Glad you like "Getting Away With It." Try the stream of "Get the Message," too, if you have a few minutes. It's tasty.
No no no. You're telling it like it is.....................but in a way that makes me wanna fly to LA.
The best New Order side project until Monaco came along which was simply a New Order clone but with some great tracks, none the less.
"Getting Away With It" for some inexplicable reason wasn't included with the UK vinyl version of their debut album but it was on the CD. Fancy leaving the best track off the album. Or was it the record company's cynical move to kill off vinyl?
Me and the Horse I Rode In On: I must admit, L.A.'s become a lot more palatable to this San Francisco loyalist over the past few years. I actually enjoy being here now - even if I look forward to returning to S.F.
Neill: Quite so. I like to think that talent is talent, wherever it is manifested. Then again, the well does run dry for some.
Ben Heller: Those record company bastards! Well, they're getting their comeuppance, now...
Despite being a New Order fan, I found out about this band here on MOG. And then, MOGgers told me about 482327563275.6 more bands, and I forgot about them. So, thank you for the reminder and the ear-caressing tunes, Mikey! :)
Anna: As ever, you are most welcome. Love that Electronic music! (And electronic music, too.)
Just good solid Pop. Brilliant. I always forget how much I dug this act.
Mille Grazie:)
De nada, wass!
Thanks for the auditorily pleasing share, Mike!
A question for you. Is 80's pop music considered mostly new wave? I have always wondered what to call 80's music other than "80's music". I've seen the words new wave in your posts more than once, and the associated music sort of fits the bill as far as 80's era sound.
I consider you the expert :)
No expertise beyond the usual here. '80s pop music included the melodious, Brit-rock-influenced, sometimes synth-driven, occasionally ska-flavored sounds of new wave (always liked the new-wave subset known as techno-rock or synth-pop); the growth of '70s funk-influenced, DJ-driven, sample-dashed hip-hop and rap; the post-disco synth-programmed dance tracks dubbed house music; the banal, dim, hedonistic glam/heavy-metal hybrid played by the so-called "hair bands"; the punk-meets-metal-meets-confessional folk sound of grunge-rock; etc. You call it what it is - and it's often different.