Jesus Jones hit a home run with "Right Here, Right Now." Their follow-up, "The Devil You Know," feels more like a bunt foul ball with two strikes, which is to say, it's terrible.
I had this album but have no memory of listening to this song! It's not bad but nowhere near as good as "Right Here, Right Now" and "The Right Decision." Maybe they needed to put "right" in the title: "The Devil You Know, Right?" Maybe it would have improved it's chances on the charts!
The only explanation I have for it topping the chart for six weeks is overzealous alt-rock radio programmers trying to capitalize on the success of the previous hits. I talked about that a little bit when Tears For Fears hit #1 with “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” in ‘89. It's not that it's a great song by any means, but rather the first new track from a band whose last album/singles were so incredibly good that programmers couldn't wait to overplay the next new song, thinking it'd be as successful.
Then, 30 years later, we look back and ask, “What the heck were they thinking?” 😂
I'm not sure I've ever heard this track before. It's...okay, I guess? Production is good, but feels wasted on something that reminds me of a lead in to a sports show.
That aside, I love love loved Sunscreem's "Love U More." I had the CD single, and the B-side was a track called "Doved Up" that was sweaty, pulsing, rave classic.
“Love U More” is growing on me. Mark Blankenship did a terrific write-up on it, and I was indifferent at the time, but hearing it again for my write-up this week, I found myself digging it a bit more than I did on first listen.
Appreciate the comments! Agree on Duran Duran: not one of my favorites, but pretty much anything they put out is better than the Jesus Jones track I highlighted. As an "alt-rock" act, I agree with you. They're definitely pop-centric.
Never met anyone who refers to R.E.M. as "a dull pop band hoping to be taken seriously," but always appreciate diverse music perspectives!
I had this album but have no memory of listening to this song! It's not bad but nowhere near as good as "Right Here, Right Now" and "The Right Decision." Maybe they needed to put "right" in the title: "The Devil You Know, Right?" Maybe it would have improved it's chances on the charts!
The only explanation I have for it topping the chart for six weeks is overzealous alt-rock radio programmers trying to capitalize on the success of the previous hits. I talked about that a little bit when Tears For Fears hit #1 with “Sowing The Seeds Of Love” in ‘89. It's not that it's a great song by any means, but rather the first new track from a band whose last album/singles were so incredibly good that programmers couldn't wait to overplay the next new song, thinking it'd be as successful.
Then, 30 years later, we look back and ask, “What the heck were they thinking?” 😂
I'm not sure I've ever heard this track before. It's...okay, I guess? Production is good, but feels wasted on something that reminds me of a lead in to a sports show.
That aside, I love love loved Sunscreem's "Love U More." I had the CD single, and the B-side was a track called "Doved Up" that was sweaty, pulsing, rave classic.
“Love U More” is growing on me. Mark Blankenship did a terrific write-up on it, and I was indifferent at the time, but hearing it again for my write-up this week, I found myself digging it a bit more than I did on first listen.
That part you mentioned where it sort of explodes is incredibly catchy.
Appreciate the comments! Agree on Duran Duran: not one of my favorites, but pretty much anything they put out is better than the Jesus Jones track I highlighted. As an "alt-rock" act, I agree with you. They're definitely pop-centric.
Never met anyone who refers to R.E.M. as "a dull pop band hoping to be taken seriously," but always appreciate diverse music perspectives!