I can't believe I didn't fit any Nik Kershaw into my top 100, he made some really fun, interesting sounding records in the 80s. Oh sure, his hit "Wouldn't It Be Good" is one of the quintessential overplayed songs from that decade, but there were so many other great songs this guy wrote (and is still writing.) Kershaw's third album, 1986's "Radio Musicola" was a deeper record, a bit more thematic, and in fact it kind of stiffed. That said, the title track was awesome, sounding a bit like Kershaw meets Level 42, the album version featuring a voice over intro from alternative radio djs from my neck of the woods, Long Island, WDRE (or WLIR, depending on how old you are.) Nik Kershaw's "Radio Musicola" - another essential 80's track!!!!
mktackabery says
now you're just baiting me into making an overtly sexual comment, you big flirt. knock it off.
I have a theory that Kershaw basically got ruined by record companies and never really got a chance with the public. It's probably because he refused to put a c in his first name.
ebuzzmiller says
Love love LOVE that song, one of my fave 80’s tracks. Gotta love Mark King, although I remember the album being a bit of a letdown. BTW, the woman in the video is Cherie Lunghi, who played Guinevere in John Boorman's 1981 flick "Excalibur", which is one of my all time favorite flicks....
dermahrk says
Nik Kershaw is one of my favorite artists - but not for his 80s stuff. I got into Nik after hearing a track from his "comeback" CD on a sampler from MOJO or Q. I bought that, the followup and the recent CD compilation with several new tracks. And, being a completist, couldn't resist buying up all of his old material on CD or vinyl. But boy, does the later stuff kick the crap out of those 80s synth-heavy LPs. There's a good track or three per LP but the rest pretty much blow.
ebuzzmiller says
well, you have to put his 80's stuff in context - those synths were new then, and the sounds they made were fairly exciting. after 20 years of hairy guys playing Les Pauls, the synth stuff was a breath of fresh air. i listen to bands like Jet, Wolfmother, etc that everyone is getting excited about these days and think *they* blow, because I heard it done a lot better 30 years ago.
the new Kershaw stuff certainly doesnt sound as dated as the 80s stuff, but songwise, his first two albums are pretty great. sure, they have that 80's optimism and hokiness, but the songs are memorable. i like some of Nik's newer stuff, but i can take or leave a lot of it - funny, right?
I can't believe I didn't fit any Nik Kershaw into my top 100, he made some really fun, interesting sounding records in the 80s. Oh sure, his hit "Wouldn't It Be Good" is one of the quintessential overplayed songs from that decade, but there were so many other great songs this guy wrote (and is still writing.) Kershaw's third album, 1986's "Radio Musicola" was a deeper record, a bit more thematic, and in fact it kind of stiffed. That said, the title track was awesome, sounding a bit like Kershaw meets Level 42, the album version featuring a voice over intro from alternative radio djs from my neck of the woods, Long Island, WDRE (or WLIR, depending on how old you are.) Nik Kershaw's "Radio Musicola" - another essential 80's track!!!!
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