As a whole, the comeback albums of 2008 may seem less impressive than the class of 2007. The big names are Bauhaus, the B-52's, Portishead, The Verve, and Axl's long-threatened Chinese Debauchery. I guess Was (Not Was) was a big name too (was they not?) None of the aforementioned groups has made another album since 2008. The B-52's will perform their final show this month. Getting the band back together for a victory lap (and that filthy lucre) is a more obvious decision than reuniting when your band didn't make it big the first time out. It must have been the love of music that brought back 18th Dye, The Bureau, Human Hands, Shelleyan Orphan, and Springhouse. The Motels -- a very successful band -- self-released This album in 2008, and returned a decade later with another album in 2018.
Japrocksampler was published in 2007, and renewed interest led to the 2008 return of the Flower Travellin' Band, 35 years after their 1973 breakup. The legendary LaBelle (who split up in 1976) also reunited for a 2008 album. LaBelle singer/songwriter Nona Hendryx made a great record of Captain Beefheart songs with guitarist Gary Lucas in 2017.
Like Nona Hendryx, Grace Jones transcended the boundaries of disco, funk, and New Wave. Her autobiographical album Hurricane was released in 2008. If you can find it paired with 2011's exquisite Hurricane Dub, that's the version to get. You can't beat the cover portrait! Grace Jones headlined the 2022 Meltdown Festival and announced that she has new music on the way.
Comeback Special 2008:
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This actually seems like more of a risky click than 2007's roster of comebacks to me but I'm trusting you to navigate us through these treacherous waters with your good taste. The Nona Hendryx album covering Beefheart with Gary Lucas sounds the most intriguing but we're still 9 years years out from that one; I'll have to track that one down. Hopefully the Flower Travellin' Band was still able to summon some juju here because I doubt Axl was. THX!
DeleteFor me, the best surprise out of this lot was Amorine Queen by 18th Dye, and The Verve was the dullest. Flower Travellin' Band seems to have picked up some reggae influence and jam band tendencies since the days of Satori. All I can say about Axl is that I chose the demo because it's shorter.
DeleteGo n' Go - 18th Dye
Happy Ending - Human Hands
Black Stone Heart - Bauhaus
Chinese Democracy (demo) - Guns N' Roses
Rather Be - The Verve
Sea and Rain - Springhouse
Bodysighs - Shelleyan Orphan
Everything Is Perfect - The Motels
We Carry On - Portishead
This Is - Grace Jones
Truth Will Set You Free - LaBelle
Mr. Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore - Was (Not Was)
Too Much To Think About - The B-52's
We Are Here - Flower Travellin' Band
A Fine Mess - The Bureau
This Is Dub - Grace Jones
Found this essay, "On Why Bands Break Up — and Get Back Together":
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"I don’t think I have ever known any musicians who have quit who haven’t missed it at some point. Whether it be the camaraderie, the wanderlust or scratching that creative itch, in my experience, most ex-musicians will express some want and nostalgia. No one starts a band with the intention of breaking up one day and regretting it all."
We bark up the same tree chemosabe!!! Great research on some great bands I have come across in my wanderings. Top notch! As Lemme would say. Thanks Jonder
ReplyDeleteThank you, my friend! I am going to share that word "chemosabe" with some folks I know who work with oncology patients. Love it!
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