Tuesday, January 28, 2003

Several people have asked for this song, so here it is:


Act - Snobbery And Decay [mp3]. Download now. May 1987.

This song vies with the Pet Shop Boys' "Opportunities (Let's Make Lots Of Money)" as the ultimate tribute to 80s excess and style. Cynical about the shallowness of the era, yet seduced by its irrestible glamour. "Lifestyles of the rich and famous, look at them - who can blame us?"

Act were made up of Thomas Leer and ex-Propaganda vocalist Claudia Brücken. Like Propaganda, their material was produced by Lord of the Fairlight, Trevor Horn [see history of ZTT here]. He created a huge, lavish production - all glossy surfaces and angular spikes. St-st-studio line! This is easily the best track on the album "Laughter, Tears And Rage" [just how 80s is that title?]. Indeed, the album contains the worst, most inapropriate cover version ever - a cocktail jazz version of The Smiths' "Heaven Knows I'm Miserable Now".

Speaking of unexpected Smiths' covers, I've just discovered Tatu's version of "How Soon Is Now". It's fairly faithful musically, with the teenage lesbos screeching "I'm human and I need to be loved". I've added it - and a few others - to my list of mp3s, so take a look at the list and let me know if there's anything you'd like me to put up here.

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Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

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