portents dark and shining

The stretch of time between Thanksgiving and the first week of December has traditionally been when Providence sees fit to make with the life-changing events. My mother’s death, my grandfather’s death, the worst break up I’ve gone through, my first date with the woman who would become my wife – that two week period is apparently my rollout date for heavy personal developments. Although the past few years have been blissfully uneventful, it’s hard to shake the feeling that something’s going to happen…

Ribzy – Why Did It Happen? (from The Valley Within compilation, 1983) – It’s always nice to discover a piece of hardcore punk that tries to reach past the louder-faster-harder assembly line template.

The Undertones – It’s Going to Happen (from Positive Touch, 1981) – Northern Ireland’s The Undertones crafted some really fine punk pop material in the late 70’s and early 80’s. That said, I really don’t understand the extreme reverence and awe that music critics hold for the band.

Oingo Boingo – Nothing Bad Ever Happens (from Good for Your Soul, 1983) – This is from my wife’s collection. She likes this track for it’s eighties apocalypticism; I think it’s a bit hollow, the pop equivalent to vacuformed plastic.

Salvation Army – Happen Happened (from the Mind Gardens EP, 1981) – LA punk pop with leanings toward the Paisley Underground 60’s revival movement. It reminds me a bit of Hüsker Dü, circa Candy Apple Grey, but I can’t put my finger on why.