For me, the 80s began musically when this little-band-that-could from Athens GA dropped their understated debut in 1983.
Imagine how crazy this sounded amidst the backdrop of Prince, Madonna, Michael Jackson and Springssteen’s tidal wave of MTV hits:
1. Indecipherable vocals and lyrics that appeared only to describe the waking dream, if anything at all
2. No guitar solos of any kind. Just arpeggiated jangle - like the best Byrds you’ve ever heard
3. “Lead bass” and a second lead vocalist who also wrote half the songs. Mike Mills was their secret weapon.
They were “college rock” before it existed.
The template for indie.
Weird art kids and record collector nerds who started miles from the mainstream and retired three decades later as the biggest, most influential band in rock. Walked away. No regrets. No dumb reunion cash ins. No bad albums they’d later regret.
They remain my heroes and any interest I ever had in playing rock music is because of them.
“I can hear you/can you hear meeeeee?” 💙
Jun 30, 2025
Related Recs
Genre: Post-punk
From: Middleton/Manchester, UK
LP: Script of the Bridge (1983)
I just read that The Chameleons appear on the Lisa Frankenstein soundtrack (the equally fantastic ‘Up the Down Escalator’) so no better time to dive into maybe the greatest post-punk band’s discography. I promise you, their debut LP Script of the Bridge will not disappoint.
May 24, 2024
🎸🔥 There’s something pretty wild about the fact that Ben Harding from Senseless Things was rocking a Three and a Half Minutes T-shirt on the front cover of Melody Maker.
We toured with them, supported them at The Square in Harlow and shared the same scrappy, do-it-yourself spirit, and honestly, they were a huge inspiration.
If you loved Senseless Things, or just lived for that era when punk was raw and alive, then check out my book “Three and a Half Minutes of Fame”.
3d ago
Top Recs from @coreydubrowa
The man responsible for dozens of Teenage Symphonies to God
"Sad songs about happy things" (the first time, as a kid, I can recall the sweet/sour combo of melodies that could make you cry attached to songs about endless, bottomless love)
I've long since lost track of how many weddings and funerals I've attended that have featured this song; suffice it to say, "a lot."
God only knows what we'd been without him 🙏🏻
Jun 11, 2025
May 22, 2025
Hey tyler hopefully this doesn’t violate some PI.FYI golden rule
But after nearly two years of writing, editing and arguing, my book about the EP is coming out in May and can be preordered here:
https://hozacrecords.com/product/aifl/
The book is about the origins, history and cultural impact of the EP since these little objects first started coming out in the 50s.
Over 50 of my music biz friends then helped me shape the list and review the top 200 ever released, according to us (ha).
For those of you who are into this kind of geekery/snobbery, I can’t wait to hear what you think. A labor of love, as all books are! ❤️
Mar 27, 2024