#which Bryan Ferry song you ask? Slave to Love of course

[imsodishy]

"You’re such a snob."

Eddie has to actually look around to see if someone else has snuck into his room who Billy could possibly be addressing. Billy's not looking at him, after all. He's digging through Eddie’s music collection, blonde curls obscuring most of his face, except the bemused little smile at the corner of his mouth.

But no, they're still alone.

"Excuse me?" Eddie demands.

When Billy flicks his gaze over to him Eddie gives a performative (theatrical even) second look around the room. "Have you not noticed where we find ourselves at present? Have you confused this trailer for a mansion somehow?" Billy just rolls those baby blues, always so eloquent.

Eddie sets aside the campaign notebooks he'd been doodling in, shifts off the bed, onto the floor to start crawling towards Billy, who turns back to the tapes, making a show of ignoring him as Eddie goes on, "Did you forget which boyfriend you're with right now? You must be thinking of the other one; hair like a rooster," he wiggles his fingers above his head like a crest, "Golden dubloons falling out of his pockets?"

"Dubloons." Billy snorts softly.

"Because I am not a snob." Eddie concludes as he sidles up behind Billy and wraps around him like an octopus, arms and legs and even chin all latched on.

"You absolutely are," Billy disagrees blithely, holding up Eddie's own Iron Maiden cassette above his shoulder for Eddie to inspect. "Music snob."

"Because of Ozzy?" he mumbles into the soft warm spot behind Billy’s ear, honestly rapidly loosing interest in the conversation.

"Because of what's not here."

"I am not nearly stoned enough for you to get all philosophical on me, Blondie."

"To that point," cassette clamshells click-clack together as Billy starts tossing them aside, "Metal. Metal. Metal. Metal, metal, metal, metal."

"I like metal. You like metal too." He flicks at the little spike dangling from Billy's earlobe with his tongue.

"It's not all you like." He reaches back to bury his fingers in Eddie’s hair as he starts kissing and sucking at his neck.

"You can't prove that," he says between nibbles.

Billy's breath has gone gratifyingly shaky, "Oh so that wasn't you grooving to Bryan Ferry in Harrington’s car the other day? That was some shaggy dog we picked up?"

Billy gasps when Eddie bites down hard on the spot where his neck meets his shoulder, "Shut up and put on some music."

[twoinchreview]

1985 Albums

Friday 20th March 2020.

On the way home from work (for the last time in a while I think, thanks Covid-19) Radio 2 played The Whole of the Moon by The Waterboys. I loved and love that song from their album, This is the Sea. I knew the album was released in 1985. It’s a year I won’t forget in a hurry for lots of reasons; the main, unbearably sad one is losing my mum, but, also, for other reasons that were not at all sad. The aforementioned album being one, another being another album - Kate Bush’s Hounds of Love. (Another was Knebworth opening its gates to music for the first time in a few years….what a gig that was!) So, did I listen to any other albums that year? I seriously couldn’t tell you, for certain, the name of any other album released in that year….with aging memory it seems to me my turntable’s time was equally divided by Mike Scott and Kate - six months apiece. I decided to check it out. A quick search on Google and the first hit I clicked was this one from the NME that lists 50 albums.

I decided to listen to each in turn, from its count of 50 down to 1. I posted a one line review on each on FB. Here are those one-liners below, with supplementary comments as and when.

50.  ABC, How to be a Zillionaire. I didn't learn that actual trick but I did learn to love Martin Fry's delivery once again.

49.  Sade, Promise. Smoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooth.

48.  Sheila E – Romance 1600. One I missed posting about of FB, probably because it was that forgettable. I can’t remember one track from it and it was only a couple of weeks ago!

47.  Alex Chilton, Feudalist Tarts. Who knew? Seriously never heard of him before!

46.  George Clinton, Some of My Best Jokes Are Friends. Funky. Another new one on me.

45. The Replacements, Tim. Never heard or heard of them b4 today. Shan't bother again!

44.  Run DMC, King of Rock. Dunno why I like this album, just do. It's like that and that's the way it is.

43.  Cameo, Single Life. I've already forgotten about it.

42.  New Order, Low Life. The first album on NME's 1985 list that properly rocks all thru. 

It’s a proper ‘of its time’ album and yet timeless. This gets the bold review ‘cos I would definitely take time out to listen to this again. First one of the NME list!

41.  Robert Wyatt, Old Rottenhat. Out there. A defo doob album.

40.  The Style Council, Our Favourite Shop. I recall this album & it's better than it was.  Weller has a voice that sometimes sounds like it’s going to break at the sterner test but then he carries it off. It adds to the originality.

39.  Sonic Youth, Bad Moon Rising. Proper industrial punk. I like it.

38.  Dexys Midnight Runners, Don't Stand Me Down. Not one track had I heard before. Fab.

I really enjoyed this. I like the fact it’s a real deviation from what I remember Dexys for - all denim and oddly-antifashion fashionable. This album showed real confidence in their own ability, quite rightly.

37.  Husker Du, New Day Rising. 'Salright.

36.  Bobby Womack, So Many Rivers. “Let Me Kiss You Where It Hurts.” 😂😂😂 Yep - the only thing I wanted to post about this album, having listened to it (like so many others, for the first time) was the name of one track which still, as I type, makes be chuckle like a school boy. Sorry Bobby.

35.  The Fall, This Nation's Saving Grace. I never really got The Fall. This album doesn't help. This post on FB attracted some comment - Ralph White (fellow Posh and music fan) was, I sensed, a little perplexed at my opinion. But, I can’t lie, the band, and Mark E Smith, just didn’t, and still don’t, do it for me. I’m too old and long in the tooth to persist. Sorry Ralph.

34.  Propaganda, A secret Wish. If you had to guess the time of this album's release from its sound, it couldn't be anything other than slap bang middle of the 80s. I mean it is sooooo eighties. It’s the sort of record that will be used for educational purposes - in history lessons.

33. Scritti Politti, Cupid & Psyche 85. I feel I should be more impressed than I am.

32.  The Pogues, Rum, Sodomy and the Lash. What an album, what a fucking album.

I listened to this while out walking and it really took me by surprise just how much I enjoyed it. Of course, I’d heard a lot of the songs before but, as a collection, along with the tracks new to me, it really stands out.  

31.  The Cure, Head on the Door. The Cure does easy listening.

30.  The Cult, Love. What's there not to love? No sudden death, just love.

Contains one of my favourite all time tracks. Can you guess?

29.  Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds, The Firstborn is Dead. Interesting. Definitely a band you have to be in the right mood before the needle hits the record.

28.  David Sylvian, Alchemy: An Index Of Possibilities. Music to have acupuncture to.

By that, I mean it was very, very, very Japanese-y.

27.  Suzanne Vega, Suzanne Vega. Singer song writing by numbers.

To be perfectly blunt, I found it boring.

26.  The Smiths, Meat is Murder. The Smiths are an enigma to me. Good music, good musicians but, that condescension. Morrissey, Geldof, Thunberg....peas in a high & mighty pod.

All that being said a few days ago now, I’m sure I’ll listen to this (and maybe other a records of theirs) again. I fucking hate that it was that good.

25.  Bryan Ferry, Boys and Girls. Slick as you like. Is he the coolest man in music? I think he is.

24.  10000 Maniacs, The Wishing Chair. I can take this or leave it. When I posted this on FB there were a couple of posters encouraging me to try In My Tribe - it’s on as I type and it’s a little better.

23.  Whitney Houston, Whitney Houston. I like this debut album. What a voice she had!

22.  A-Ha, Hunting High and Low. Not bad song writing in a second language.

Nice enough album...but this band will always just be ‘nice’ and, memorable for a video, not much else. 

21.  Grace Jones, Slave to the Rhythm. A mess of an album.

Worst one on the list so far even if it has got David Gilmour playing on it.

20.  Simple Minds, Once Upon a Time. I always felt, & feel, this band are wannabes to U2's crown. Nice enough album though.

19.  The Colourfield, Virgins and Philistines. A gem of an album. 

Terry Hall reminds me of Bowie. So talented, so prolific.

18.  Everything but the Girl, Love not Money. Pleasant enough but won't be on repeat. 

17. Loose Ends, So Where Are You? Hmmmm, not quite Color Me Badd. Very Delia Smith. The Delia Smith comment was because I found this album was an embarrassment much like Delia that fateful night at Carrow Road. If you don’t know to what I am referring, Google it.

16. Killing Joke, Night Time. Great album, cracking band.

15. Tears for Fears, Songs from the Big Chair. A big collection of comfortably accomplished songs. 

The first album on the list I had definitely played, in its entirety, before...just not in 1985. 

14. Dire Straits, Brothers in Arms. By no means their best. Tbf, you’d have to go some to best a debut or 3rd or 4th albums of the quality Dire Straits had under their belt. And, a side note, I think probably the best name for a band, ever. 

13. The Sisters of Mercy, First and Last and Always. A moody, gothic masterpiece. I reckon the growling vocals are the stuff of genius and nightmares.  12.  Prince, Around the World In A Day. Prince is brilliant, this album isn't. Like a few on this list, the decade’s half-way point didn’t see his finest hour.

11. Felt, Ignite the Seven Canons. I've never heard of this band before, nor heard a single track from this album, until now. I like them, I like it.

And I reached the Top Ten....I found myself really looking forward to the next 6-7 hours of the supposed mid-80s finest.... 

10. The Jesus and The Mary Chain, Psychocandy. Mentally sweet. 

It is a great album by a seminal band but I didn’t really get on the band wagon back then, and I don’t have the time nor the inclination to now. That’s gonna piss some people off, I’m sure! 9. Microdisney, The Clock Comes Down The Stairs. Never heard of them before, probably never listen to them again.

This album left me feeling nothing. It’s the most nondescript one of the list thus far and I doubt that will change.

8. REM, Fables of Reconstruction. This band were good before they got massive. 

Fucking brilliant. I had never listened to this album before and it’s such a precursor - we all know how massive they became and one or two of their later albums were residence, for a time, in my CD player. I reckon this one could become a real favourite of mine. Not just of REM stuff but in general.

7.  Lloyd Cole & The Commotions, Easy Pieces. Easy listening and first rate easy listening, at that. 

‘Brand New Friend’ is the stand out track.   

6.  Prefab Sprout, Steve McQueen. I don’t switch the radio off if this band are played, but I never play them. This album doesn’t alter that.

5. Madness, Mad not Mad. Who'd thought the stalwart rude boys would be so innovative? Another cracker from this list. It really stood out for me, they way the band changed things up a notch with this record. I can imagine some long-time fans would have baulked at this at the time of release but now, 35 years on, it smacks of progression. I’ve just asked Alexa to play it as I’m typing. 

4.  Talking Heads, Little Creatures. A wonderful, totally original band and album. This album reminded me that I do not spend enough time listening to Talking Heads. 

3. The Waterboys, This Is the Sea. Marvellous. This is an album I know and love. So, here it is, one of the aforementioned two. It’s is still one of my favourite albums, definitely, but, just a little bit, the metaphors grate - there’s enough of the fuckers on this album - the sea, the moon, the spirit. But I will always love this album and I will revisit many more times, I wager (and hope).

2. Tom Waits, Rain Dogs. Not really a musical masterpiece, more a lyrical one.

I found this a unusual choice for number 2. That’s subjectivity for you, I’d have picked many others before this one for the runner’s up slot.

1. Kate Bush, Hounds of Love. One of my favourite ever albums. The best of 1985, maybe of the 80s, very close to of all time. It’s number 1 for the NME and it most certainly is for me.

So, I listened to all of these NME listed albums in turn and it was, in the main, an enjoyable musical journey

And I reminded myself that, in 1985, I did indeed only put two albums, that first saw the light of day in that year, on my turntable (Kate Bush and The Waterboys). Any other releases didn't get a look in. 

[queermequeeryou]

III.

Rubi could not  find an explanation for her behaviour during a trip to Seville and it was driving her mad. She was used to stability she has created with Angie and it was a long time since she had been thinking about any other woman. Back in the days when she was single, Rubi was very open to new acquaintances and affairs. However, when she got back to Madrid and reunited with Angéline she stopped needing that. It was enough to have her close and it was a great feeling. When she realized after that crazy, strange weekend that it has changed, it scared her deeply. She wanted to have a family with Angie, to feel kind of purpose in life with somebody who understood her constant passion to act. Who could be better then Angie, an actress too who she knew since forever? That eyes and that voice. Finally, that kiss. It was something she was recalling throughout the entire weekend in Seville but she decided to fight with it. All she wanted was to come back to the burlesque bar, find Blanca and feel her lips and the pressure of her body again. Despite that, she convinced herself it will pass like many times before when she wanted a woman who did not feel it was mutual. Fascinations come and go. She knew that perfectly. However, the rest of the weekend was lacking any entertainment or pleasure. She just wanted to come back to Madrid and focus on work. It was hard to forget as kissing Angie was now bringing back the memories of Blanca’s smell and everything that happened between them. Rubi told her fiancé that it is just that she was worried about how the whole move in situation will go. That she was preoccupied with mother and the reaction of Angie made her feel even worse. She kissed her on the cheek and told that if that is really what is making her unhappy, they can stay with her mother. Rubi was really upset that she was like that. She cheated on the most loving person she has ever had in her life. All she could do was  to forget about it and move on. She could not imagine unveiling the truth. Angie would never forgive her. The weekend she thought, was a nightmare. If she would have known before, she would never go to Seville. When they got back home, her mother was sitting on an armchair, reading “Grapes of Wrath” for the fifth time probably and sipping white wine. Rubi greeted her and decided to talk about Angie. She sat near and intertwined her hands. “Would you mind if Angélica moves in?” it was very direct because Rubi was quite pressured and she wanted to fix it once and for all. It might be the next declaration that will help her forget and focus on what was important. Her mother put book on the table and sipped a bit of wine. “Of course I wouldn’t, darling!” she seemed very happy. Rubi smiled back and looked at her. “Thank you very much. You know it means a lot and it’s your house so I just want us all to feel comfortable so we can make a family” she explained. Her mother’s eyes were glassy. “But you're going to propose, aren’t you?” it was a joke, they were never religious so they laughed together. Then it was silent for a moment. Rubi stood up to walk away but her mother stopped her. “Thank you, darling” it was all her mother said afterwards.

*

In the evening, Rubi called Angie to deliver her the news. She could go to her by car but she felt like she was not having energy to face her at that time. Angélica was very glad and excited. They decided to pack her up and move in next week. It was also the time Rubi thought, she should think about the engagement ring. People don’t do that. People are usually more or less responsible. Or at least they try to. Nobody breaks up with a serious girlfriend after two years of being together just because of meeting a stunning, attractive stranger. That was what Rubi kept on trying to convince herself on. She did not want Angie anymore.

*

Days filled with work. Playing, rehearsing till the late night hours, avoiding Angélica. The days became quite trivial, bleached. It was something more than just a lust towards Blanca. That could be somehow revealed without even thinking of breaking up with her fiancé. That could be quite normal. Many people cheat on their loved ones which is not a wisest thing to do but it happens and it could happen to Rubi as well especially considering the fact that she was a womanizer once. However, it was more. She was losing entire interest in Angie, their life together, move-in, engagement. She did not want to propose. Despite that, after a month of living together she planned a weekend that was supposed to solve the entire thing. Friday morning before the rehearsals she went to the jewellery store. She asked a shop assistant to choose the most beautiful ring which was too pretentious for her regular behaviour but it was different. When she saw a nice looking, very shiny one with an emerald gem. That color was fitting Angie perfectly Rubi thought. Maybe it will not be that bad. Looking at this ring was making Rubi less stressful, like the greenness of it was really calming down. She took it. She invited Angélica for a dinner after rehearsals. They went to their favorite Italian restaurant. When they finished the meal, sipping the rest of the wine, Rubi proposed. She really wanted to have pure intentions. Looking into this girl’s eyes was making her feel calm and stable. She wanted to find back the passion and interest into building their life together. As happy beyond words Angie was looking at her emerald ring from different angles, Rubi was trying to convince herself it will all be fine. That night they got back when Rubi’s mother was already asleep. They will tell her tomorrow - they decided. Angie was expecting they will make love for hours that night. Rubi for the first time in her life has felt how is it to be pressured to make sex. It was not a pleasure that time. Something different she was not used to. It felt really bad to do it mechanically almost. She could not get aroused, it was all in vain. However, Angie was so happy with all the preparations she did not realize anything was wrong. Rubi woke up very early when Angie still was asleep. She took her laptop and typed in “Blanca Rodriguez - Rojo Sevilla”. Home page of the theatre appeared on the screen. Indeed, they were doing regular open calls. It was open also during the weekends and during the weekends there were rehearsals Blanca was leading. Rubi prepared herself a coffee and reflected on what to say. She decided to create a lie that was not completely it. When Angie woke up they told Rubi’s mother about the engagement and ate breakfast together, like a family. It was good to see mother that happy and comfortable with her fiancé. They really could be a family but Rubi was burning up like the sin was inevitable (if she had only believed in gods). After food, Dolores went to her workroom to paint. Rubi sat with Angie. She put on her favorite Bryan Ferry cassette. They were listening and Rubi was stroking her being quite absent. She was thinking about the play they were now preparing and calculating if it was very demanding. Song “Slave To Love” - her favorite in the world - went on when she finally started to speak. “Love, I want to talk about something. I don’t feel like I am actually fulfilled. Artistically. This rehearsals we have are not enough and we are about to have a premiere next week, you know my role is really small” she was explaining.Angie kissed her shoulder.“I know, you deserve the main role, honey but we need to be patient. Everything has its time” Angie was very sweet with her support.“I know that, babe but I have an other idea as well. I want to try something different. It really bothers me inside, you know. And this weekend, it is special for us” Rubi looked at the ring Angie was wearing. “But also for me. I want to audition for Seville theatre. I found information online, they have open calls all the time, it’s opened during the weekends. I want to go by myself, try it. I think it can be my place because of how great we felt in this city. I want to remember this weekend even better, to make it symbolic” she really hoped that her fiancé would understand.Angie looked at her quite surprised for a moment but than she massaged her hand and smiled.“Of course. I am very proud of you and always wish you artistic fulfilment. If this is what you want go. I will stay home and maybe try to bond up with my future mother-in-law” Rubi kissed her softly.Then, she went on the most important things. She was about to be back on Sunday afternoon. On the way she smoked a cigarette and listened to music very loud. That was the weekend that was meant to change everything in her life.