Day 0505 - Pelican West

Haircut One Hundred "Pelican West" (1982)

Another album that presents a certain familiar side of 80s pop.  Tame and glossy funk guitar licks, with smooth horns and roomy percussion hits.  Slightly melodramatic vocals sail over the top of it all to create something that feels polished and shiny, but with its emotional core as more of an act rather than something genuine.

If you're not too worried about earnestness in your music (it doesn't overly bother me), then this is an extremely well-constructed pop album, that even throws out some clever little musical left-turns every now and then.

Day 0500 - Pornography

The Cure "Pornography" (1982)

 
It's almost like one of those cheesy billboards "Pornography!  Now that I've got your attention..."

The last of the 'early' Cure albums as the band was torn apart by in-fighting, drug use, and Smith working to cope with his depression.  From this point on, the band would move away from their gothy droney alt-rock sound for more of a gothy pop influence.

This album is all bass and drum grooves with synth and minimal guitars layered over the top, creating music-beds for Smith's desolate lyrics.

The final (title) track is an interesting sound collage.