A couple years ago I received a few press releases from Superfecta Recordings, a label that specializes in 80s New Wave. One of the CDs was a re-release of the Thompson Twins' 1982 album Quick Step and Sidekick. I put it on my stereo and let it roll. Well, I really loved the album. I didn't think about their weird clothes or 80s hairstyles, I just listened to the music, took it for what it was and found it to be well done and just enjoyable. I'm no music snob, I have bands I like and some I don't but one thing I never do is put people down for liking certain music. Music is about expression and enjoyment and sharing. To each his own.Thompson Twins (Tom Bailey, Allanah Currie, Joe Leeway) hailed from Sheffield, England, they got their name from characters in a comic strip called "The Adventures of TinTin". They formed in 1977 and were starting to receive critical notice right at the beginning of the New Wave music craze. They were signed to Arista Records after catching a lucky break and they broke onto the UK charts in 1983 with their big hit "Lies" (from the album Quick Step and Sidekick) and the follow up single, the anthemic "Love On Your Side". This album also features a song 80s film lovers may recognize: "If You Were Here" was featured in John Hughes' classic teen film Sixteen Candles (1984). Other singles from the Quick Step And Side Kick (aka Side Kicks in the US) album were"We Are Detective" and "Watching".At the end of 1983, the Twins' single "Hold Me Now" was released. This was a song that hit the Top 3 and became one of their biggest hits. The video was shown reguarly on MTV and the Twins performed on pop music shows at the time like American Bandstand and Solid Gold. "Hold Me Now" was a unique sounding track that had both a New Wave and more mainstream R&B sound which answers why it was so well received. The next several singles by the Twins were ones like the New Wave bubblegum pop of "Doctor! Doctor" Their album this single was featured on called "Into The Gap", was one of the highest sales of 1984.In 1985, the Twins released their next album "Here's To Future Days," which had two Top 10 hits "Lay Your Hands On Me" and "King For A Day". The Twins reached their height of popularity when they performed at Live Aid that year. They were even joined onstage by a then young Madonna who was herself just becoming famous. The Twins were on the very top, but sadly, by the end of the year their time in the bright pop spotlight was all but over. Joe Leeway left the band in 1986 and Alannah and Tom continued on for 7 more years never making it into the Top 40. Tom and Allannah later married and moved back to Allanah's home country of New Zealand where they raised two children. They continued to do some music under the name Babble. In 2004, they divorced.Thompson Twins' Quick Step and Sidekick is a gleaming example of New Wave Pop at its best. Filled from front to back with funky electronic beats and great rhythms, it still sounds great today in 2007. Superfecta Recordings have remastered the original album and done 80s New Wave fans a great favor with their love for this unique music thats been a huge part of pop culture for 20 + years. Turn it on and enjoy!Trivia: This track was dedicated to/about Judy Garland, who struggled with drugs and alcohol throughout her acting/singing career.
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