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As an American who grew up during the 2000s, I can’t speak to why certain bands are still known worldwide and others faded into obscurity. I’m 25 years old, yet, I predominantly listen to new wave music. Specifically, British bands from that time period that seem to emotionally evoke feelings of nostalgia for my youth compared to modern contemporary bands. As a devoted Anglophile, who just arrived back from his third trip to the UK where I’m looking to get my MBA abroad, I can easily say that Naked Eyes is one of about two bands (the other being the Pet Shop Boys) where wherever I am in the world, I am instantly transported back to walking on the streets of London. The difference between Naked Eyes and the Pet Shop Boys is lasting fame. Yes, Naked Eyes has “Always Something There to Remind Me,” but only devoted new wave enthusiasts still remember and appreciate their other songs.
As someone whose dealt with severe depression and anxiety my whole life, I always felt that Naked Eyes songs always resonated with my internal struggles. For example, my favorite baseline of all time is in “Promises Promises.” Without even hearing the words, the first part of the song where it’s just the acoustic guitar trying to drown out the bass evokes imagery of a couple in an argument where neither are happy and constantly fighting. It is honestly beautiful, and is totally in the style of Naked Eyes. There songs have a somewhat haunting undertone and evoke dark imagery. My other favorite of theirs that does this is “Fortune and Fame,” which tells the story of a wealthy woman who is secretly miserable and is proof money can’t buy happiness. It’s an honestly beautiful song and totally encapsulates the internal struggle those with mental health issues struggle with each day trying to appear like everything is ok. Those two songs are from the same album Burning Bridges, and even the US/Japan Cover is gorgeous and hangs on my wall. Well done Naked Eyes for making someone not of the 80s generation feel like someone understood my pain in the most beautiful way possible.
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One of my all time favorite songs is 'A Very Hard Act To Follow' is just gorgeous.
I'm obsessed with the way they arrange synths, some of the most beautiful synths layered and the sexy thick basslines in several songs; "I Could Show You How" and "Voices In My Head" and "When The Lights Go Out" are amazing.
I think they have the most quintessential 80's synthpop sound, definitely very underrated.
Way back in '84, I bought Naked Eyes' Burning Bridges, Talk Talk's The Party's Over, and The Fixx's Reach the Beach around the same time. This trio of cassettes are all different stylistically, but they set a bar for the level of sophisticated songwriting and intricate production that appealed to me. Naked Eyes' flame burned out quickly--the second album didn't do much for me--but the first album still sounds fresh to my ears....and brings me back to that amazing time of discovery. The songs are really well crafted and the synths sound wonderful with some brilliant details in the layers. I love songs like "I Could Show You How", "When the Lights Go Out", "Fortune & Fame" and, of course, "Promises, Promises," which is a 10/10 early-80s pop song.
In many ways, Naked Eyes were the perfect opening act for Pet Shop Boys debut and subsequent albums, a band that is probably the best example of the sophisticated sound I still love. A few other bands that fell in that category for me, also less known than other mainstream stuff at the time, include Red Box - The Circle and the Square (1986), Propaganda - A Secret Wish (1985), and Japan's first two three albums.
"Promises, Promises" is a great pop song.
Hehe, I've been summoned yet again here on this sub. Bet you can't guess where my user name came from ;)
You sound just like me: Gen Z and obsessed with British New Wave!
I love the painted cover for the American release of their debut album. Not only is it beautiful, I feel like it matches their music perfectly. Those sensitive and vulnerable eyes go perfectly with their songs about heartbreak and feeling lost in life. "Fortune and Fame" is also one of my favorites!
You may already know this, but did you know that Naked Eyes and members of Tears for Fears used to be in a band together? They went under the name Neon, and Pete Byrne was the singer. You can find some of their songs on YouTube.
a) you are correct about all of this.
b) Icicle Works are also gravely underrated. I just had to say that. "High Time" is such a great tune.
c) there's so many Canadian new wave bands that are entirely unknown in other countries (Platinum Blonde, Chalk Circle, Gowan, The Spoons, Strange Advance, Images In Vogue, Blue Peter, Idle Eyes, NeoA4) It only makes sense that there were/are hundreds of bands from every country that go sorely unnoticed in other countries, it just seems entirely unjust. If any of those names seem unfamiliar to you I recommend giving them a listen.
Always liked the songs "Promises, Promises" and "I could Show You How". They set a mood.
True
I love their music
Always something there to remind me is one of the best songs to choose for a wedding.
I like “Promises” and love “When the Lights Go Out”, but I haven’t heard much beyond their hits. I’m definitely going to check out more, thanks for the recommendation.
The 80s were my formative years as far as music, and I definitely loved lots of the new wave music from that time. I had to look up Naked Eyes, and I do remember a few of their songs. They are good new wave band.
Maybe they are not remembered as much because they really did not have very many albums. I am looking back, and I just basically see the self titled in 1983, along with Burning Bridges, which seems to have a lot of overlap with songs. And that is pretty much it.
I do think it is cool you are digging this type of music at your age. I do wonder if you will grow out of it like I did. I never listen to that new wave anymore unless somehow at a club,
People are listening to and appreciating 80s music for decades. I don't think anyone is going to "grow" out of it.
What do you listen to now?
I know that music will always find followers, as it is great music. However I just had to move on after a while. Maybe there's new stuff there to discover, but for me it ran dry.
I am digging modern indie folk, hip hop, more lyrics focused Electronica, alt country, lofi, provably other genres im missing. I am constantly searching for new music, and more often than not, this will be contenporary.
Here's a new one I love if you want some of the old new wave vibes. Hey Lou by Lewis Ofman
https://youtu.be/mNGcN7O91bs?si=aN0-vixn4l_rMc0I
Thanks for the tip! I only really know ASTTRM, but I frequently mention it as one of the best cover songs I've ever heard.
Phenomenal band. One of the best sounding records in my collection is the 45rpm 12” single of Voice In My Head. What a song! Especially at loud volumes!
To me they are masters at what makes 80s New Wave particularly enjoyable: subtle instrumental layering. Their music is lush with synth, guitar, and other instrumental fills that never take center stage or detract from the main hook/rhythm but are always there to enhance and elevate what would otherwise be a fairly repetitive structure.
It's the kind of thing that's sadly not as common in a lot of music production these days, and really makes their sound and the sound of the era stand out.