YAZOO Released Debut Pop Opus ‘UPSTAIRS AT ERIC’S’ 40 Years Ago

Back in time

22 August 2022

Band: YAZOO
Who: British shiny synth-pop duo with Depeche Mode‘s
co-founder Vince Clarke and supreme voice Alison Moyet.
Active: 1981–1983, 2008-2011 / 2 LPs

Anniversary album: UPSTAIRS AT ERIC’S
Released: 20 August 1982 – debut LP
Charts: #2 in the UK


Melody Maker
said: “An album of rich, dark passion, forever
burying the hoary old moan that electronics and synthesizers
will never be any good because they don’t have a button on
the front that says ’emotion'”
.

TUTV: 5-star voice, 5-star tunes, 5-star synth thrills.

Singles/clips: Don’t Go / Only You / Situation

– DON’T GO –

– ONLY YOU –

– SITUATION –

Stream the full album via Spotify

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YAZOO: Bio

Picked By TURN UP THE VOLUME – 5 Ace Albums Turning 40 In 2022

Back in time

1.’Nebraska’ by BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN

Released: 30 September 1982 – his 5th LP
Charts: #3 in the US and in the UK

Pitchfork: “To put on Nebraska and hear its world of
echo is to enter a dream. As Bruce Springsteen’s songs go,
these are very good ones, but their true meaning came out
in the presentation. It’s an essential record in the history
of home recording
“. Score: 5/5.

TUTV: Minimal sound, maximal effect.

Stream here…

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2. ‘A Kiss In The Dreamhouse’ by SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES

Released: 5 November 1982 – their fifth LP
Charts: #11 in the UK

NME said: “A Kiss in the Dreamhouse is a feat of imagination scarcely
ever recorded. It’s breathtaking. Somehow, a bold assurance of intention
has met with a hunger for experimenting with sound to expand an already
formidable group of songs into pure, open-minded ambiguity.”
Score: 4/5.

TUTV: Suzy and her Banshees at their very Gothic best with
Slowdive as one of their all-time classic singles (to my ears).

Stream here…

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3. ‘Junkyard’ by THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

Released: 10 May 1982
The band’s second and final LP

AllMusic: “Scuzzy masterpiece, its art/psych/blues/punk
fusion taken to at times outrageous heights. Nearly every
tune is a Party classic one way or another.”
Score: 3/5.

TUTV: The BP accomplished its mission: self-destruction.
After this schizophrenic blast, they went down with
a clashing crash.

Stream here…

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4. ‘Miami’ by THE GUN CLUB

Released: 20 September 1982 – second LP
Produced by Blondie’s Chris Stein

AllMusic: “Miami was given a rough go when it was issued for
its production. But in the bird’s-eye view of history its songs stack
up, track for track, with Fire of Love and continue to echo well
into this long good night.
” Score: 4.5.

TUTV: Punk blues at its fervent best.

Stream here…

________________________________________________________________________________________________

5. ‘Upstairs At Eric’s by YAZOO

Released: 20 August 1982 – debut LP
Charts: #2 in the UK

Melody Maker
said: “An album of rich, dark passion, forever
burying the hoary old moan that electronics and synthesizers
will never be any good because they don’t have a button on
the front that says ’emotion'”
.

TUTV: Big voice, big tunes, big synth thrills.

Stream here…

.

6.’Combat Rock’ by THE CLASH

7. ‘Imperial Bedrrom’ by ELVIS COSTELLO

8. ‘New Gold Dream’ by SIMPLE MINDS

9. Fourth Drawer Down by THE ASSOCIATES

10. ‘Too Rye Ay’ by Dexys Midnight Runners

Don’t Go While SLEAFORD MODS Cover YAZOO

Daily electricity to load your batteries

18 December 2021

British veteran electro-rap-punk duo SLEAFORD MODS unleashed their
11th LP Spare Ribs at the beginning of this year, gaining a lot of praise
from the press.

To stir up up the festive carols season Jason Williamson and Andrew
Fearn
(member since 2012) play around with dancefloor filler DON’T GO,
the biggest hit of early 80s synth-pop duo Yazoo (featuring Vince Clarke
co-founder of Depeche Mode and powerful soul voice Alison Moyet).

Okay, folks, here we don’t go…

The original cracker…

SLEAFORD MODS: Facebook

YESTERDAY’S CRACKERS – This Week: 25 Killer Tracks And 3 Top LP’s From 1982…

The best of the past

Every week Turn Up The Volume! jumps into the past! Relive 25 Killer Crackers
and 3 Top Albums per year/per week. Here’s an eclectic year to remember: 1982

The 25 Killer Crackers

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The 3 Top Albums

A KISS IN THE DREAMHOUSE by SIOUXSIE AND THE BANSHEES

Stream here…

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– ‘Junkyard‘ by THE BIRTHDAY PARTY

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Upstairs At Eric’s by YAZOO

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See/hear you next week for another year…