In my continuing series of 80’s music (re)collection, I’m listing a few more that were stuck in my mind. During my teenage years, I went clubbing quite a bit. When I was a DJ, I played them a lot, too. These songs were popular in Europe, but in North America1 they were obscure -- at least initially. They were played often in alternative radio and clubs. Now, they’re well known and have huge influences on new bands everywhere.
New Order -- Blue Monday (1983)
I’m a huge fan of New Order. They started off in the 70’s as Joy Division. Since the lead singer died, they moved on to form the new band. They began with the same depressing music style of Joy Division, but later changed to a more upbeat “clubby” songs which got the attention of the masses. They finally broke up a couple of years ago. It’s too bad, most new alternative bands now want to sound like them -- and usually succeed.
Pet Shop Boys -- Opportunity (Let’s Make Lots of Money) (1985)
In a Roling Stone magazine, a critic wrote PSBs were “Britain’s Dopiest Duo”. When a friend introduced me to the Please album, I dismissed that critical review. They produced some of the catchiest melody, with smart lyrics. They also made several remixes -- labeled them as “dance” tracks. So it was no surprise their songs made it to clubs. This song reminded me of my clubbing days. The PSBs are still together making new albums. I haven’t listened to them lately. They’ve lost their unique sound.
Depeche Mode -- Strange Love (1987)
I went to see these guys at the CNE Grandstand in 1987 when they were promoting Music For the Masses album. The appeal of this band was it never went mainstream, yet popular enough in the clubs. I just like them because they always reinvent themselves.
ABC -- The Look of Love (1982)
This group is one of those bands that made me look back and ask, “Where are they now?” Apparently, they were still busy touring in 2009! They were so good back in the 80’s, with their pop dance tunes, but somehow I lost track of them after their album Alphabet City. Anyway, this song was part of the classy album Lexicon of Love, which has wonderful strings orchestra for a pop song. Very catchy. Very dance-able.
Human League -- Don’t You Want Me (1981)
This is a classic 80’s dance tune. Always a floor filler whenever I played this song in parties. I just read the Human League story on Wikipedia, and they seem to have a rough past -- but strangely enough the lead singer, Phil Oakey, is still recording, and touring! I’ll bet people will go see them just to hear this song again.
Duran Duran -- The Reflex (1983)
Finally, the 80’s dance scene is not complete without these guys. They were the poster children of MTV. Girls loved them. DJs loved to play their songs. However, my personal favorite is “Come Undone“, from their self-titled album in 1993. Since this is about the 80’s, I chose The Reflex because it was their final shining world Pop Music glory.
- Canadians had a tendency to like European music. [↩]
It’s that time again for the Academy Awards! As a semi-tradition, I’m involved in an Oscar Pool. It’s nothing high stakes – more for fun and giggles. Plus it makes it bearable to watch through 4 hours of the award show.
My picks for 2009, based on the Oscars list from IMDB, are below. I’m going to be updating my picks as the days go by, as I’m doing further “research”. I will stop updating it until right before the live show on Sunday, March 7 2010.
Best Picture: The Hurt Locker
I saw this movie and I was at the edge of my seat. Realistic and well acted. I always have respected the US Armed Forces, and the movie elevates them into a new level of courage.
Update: Paying tribute to our men and women in the military is always the best choice. Congrats to The Hurt Locker.
Best Lead Actor: Jeremy Renner Jeff Bridges
I’m gonna guess that it’ll him because I’ve seen the movie, and he was excellent in it. I just watched Jeff’s performance in Crazy Heart. He was gritty and real. A great job acting (and singing!) as an old down-and-out country singer. He might have a good chance.
Update: Got this one after watching the movie. I think the singing did it for me.
Best Lead Actress: Meryl Streep
She’s been passed on so many times before, I think she’s due.
Update: I did like Sandra Bullock in The Blind Side, but I didn’t think it was a win. Oh well, better luck next time, Meryl!
Best Supporting Actor: Christoph Waltz
Now this is a well educated choice for me. I’ve always liked an actor who are multi-lingual, and he played it well in the movie Inglorious Basterds. I hope he chokes the others in his category – not himself, I hope.
Update: This one was pretty obvious to me.
Best Supporting Actress: Maggie Gyllenhaal
A big guess on this one.
Update: I didn’t like Mo’Nique and the movie “Precious”. I think this one was hard to guess, and the choice was wrong, IMO.
Best Director: Kathryn Bigelow
Not being a sexist, but for a woman who could direct a testosterone filled movie like The Hurt Locker, it surprised me. She framed the movie well and I hope she gets the nod.
Update: This is the first time a female director to win an Oscar. I guess the theme for this Oscar is “the first for everything”.
Best Screenplay: Up In The Air
A lot of memorable quotes here. Smartly written. I found myself leaning forward, listening to every word.
Update: I thought The Hurt Locker had a good script, but it wasn’t witty enough. The performance of the actors were better than what was on the page. Good win for them, I suppose.
Best Adapted Screenplay: District 9
Based on Neil Blompkampp’s previous short story Escape from Joburg, the movie expanded the story and put a face that I could follow – and root for. I like it.
Update: I can’t say much about “Precious”. Really… I can’t. Dunno why they win.
Best Cinematography: Avatar
This is one of the most technically amazing movie that I’ve seen. Sweeping shots, great sfx, and great battle scenes.
Update: Right, this one is pretty obvious to me.
Best Editing: Inglorious Basterds
This is not an easy category, but based on what I saw, I think a movie with multi-timeline, has got to be harder to edit. This movie flowed pretty well, probably thanks to good editing.
Update: Really? The Hurt Locker got this one? I guess a lot of retakes did it.
Best Art: Avatar
Ho-hum story. But awesome computer graphics!
Update: Yup. Got this one!
Best Costume: Young Victoria
I wanted to vote for Sherlock Holmes but it’s not even nominated here! So I’m gonna guess this one.
Update: I knew period films always win costume design.
Best Makeup: Young Victoria
Star Trek gets a sympathy nomination here, which I doubt it’ll win. So I’ll guess also.
Update: I’m so wrong on this one. Sorry Spock, for not having faith in Star Trek!
Best Original Score: Up
Avatar sounded familiar with James Horner. The Hurt Locker practically has no music. I hope Disney pulls a surprise here.
Update: Yay for Disney!
Best Original Song: The Princess and The Frog
This is an obvious choice for me, as both Randy Newman and Disney are masters of feel-good original songs.
Update: Oh well, I guess Disney can’t compete with twangy country music epic “Crazy Heart”.
Best Sound Mix: Avatar
Going with a sure bet (hopefully) in the tech department here.
Update: Dang, how can The Hurt Locker win this one? I guess those quiet moments in the movie made it the best sound mix? I’m confused.
Best Sound Editing: Avatar
Again, a guess.
Update: Again missed this one. The Hurt Locker is a weird Oscar choice here.
Best Visual Effects: Avatar
A lot of people have been raving about the 3D Imax showing of this movie. I haven’t seen it myself, but looking at the scenes, the movie has awesome visual effects. It’s almost a sure bet.
Update: Obvious choice!
Best Animated Film: The Princess and the Frog
Disney went back to basics with this one, and it should be worth it.
Update: It’s either this, or “Up” – but it is computer graphics that win again.
Best Foreign Film: A Prophet
I dunno. Just a guess.
Update: I have never heard of “The Secret in their Eyes”. I’m not crying for Argentina.
Best Documentary: Which Way Home
They all look good, I guess.
Update: What is “The Cove”? I’m not gonna find out.
Best Short Documentary: China’s Unnatural Disaster: The Tears of Sichuan Province
All propaganda shorts, but if I have to pick one…
Update: “Music by Prudence” – don’t know this one. I’ll never know.
Best Animated Short Film: Wallace and Gromit in ‘A Matter of Loaf and Death’
I always have a soft spot for Wallace and Gromit. They just don’t make enough of this type of lovely gems.
Update: Oh man, how can a rip-off of a cartoon film “Logorama” win against the much more original W&G? I demand a recount!
Best Live Action Short Film: Miracle Fish
A pure guess here.
Update: “The New Tenants” won. Oh well, it was just a guess here!
Today’s the day I turned American. Earlier this afternoon, the ceremony at Pomona, California, marked the day I officially became a US Citizen. It’s a milestone that I’ve been waiting for since I first filed for permanent residence in the year 2000.
The event itself was quite an experience. It wasn’t all fun. We paid $9 for parking. We spent most of our time waiting in line. We were herded from one line to another. Once it was all done, we got stuck in traffic for at least 30 minutes.
But there were moments of joy. There were about 2800 people, mostly Chinese and Spanish descent, and they brought their family and friends to witness the ceremony. My wife and I showed up with our daughter, who’s already an American by birth. Everyone used their photo and video cameras. There were shouts, hollers, and cheers. We were given small plastic American flags, and waved them proudly. We watched the judge pronounced us American Citizens, sang the Star Spangled Banner, and cheered some more.
For all of us, it has been a long journey to get here. The process to get a green card had been difficult for new immigrants since 9/11/2001. We were just happy to finally get our certificate of naturalization that certifies we’re US Citizens. This certificate signifies the end of our quest to be an integral part of this great nation.
Below was the news broadcast segment of the event:
Tags: america, ceremony, citizenship, USA
A friend once asked me, “What is my favorite 80’s music?” That’s not an easy question to answer. I can’t think of one song that represents an entire decade of music. Instead, the music was integrated into the experiences that occurred in the 80’s.
There are many examples, and in the next few months or so, I’ll try to recall some of my memories of the 80’s as they relate to music that I heard.
Hall and Oates: “I Can’t Go For That” (1981)
This song reminded me of winter days in Toronto when we would drive, in my uncle’s station wagon, for miles and miles to Richmond Hill to buy some computer hardware & software. The radio station put this song under heavy rotation.
The Police: Every Little She Does Is Magic (1981)
My sisters and uncle had these get togethers with their friends at the house. They would play The Police album “Ghost in the Machine” a lot. This song particularly stuck in my mind because of the catchy beat… and the word “magic”.
Eurythmics: Sweet Dreams (1983)
With the popularity of MTV starting in 1981, my cousin, who was fashionably cool, would watch the show a lot. Since there were only a handful of music videos back then, they played the same videos over and over again. One of the most unique (both in sound and sight) was this Eurythmics video. Seriously, do women actually have short orange hair??
Michael Jackson: Billie Jean (1983)
One of MTV’s favorite is Michael Jackson. Billie Jean just had one of those very catch beat and melody. For the longest time, I couldn’t understand what he was saying, “Billie Jean not my low-fa. She’s just a girl, said that I’m not the one. The chair’s not my son.” Memorable song, none the less.
We went to Taste of Asia. It was a warm sunny day when we talked about:
- Ordered: Hot & spicy fish fillet with soft tofu, Salt & pepper pork ribs, Stir fried lamb with cumin, and Eggplant with garlic sauce.
- Where is Szechuan province? It’s in Southwest China, aka Sichuan Province.
- Filipinos love their karaokes. Some even got into fights (and killed) over Sinatra’s “My Way”.
- Tax time. Most of us don’t have complicated filings, so we use either Turbotax or Taxcut software.
- What’s better, UC or CSU college? UCs are mostly for research. CSUs are more practical.
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