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Hey, what’s up everybody? I hope you are all surviving out there in this very strange time. It’s becoming increasingly more difficult to find the joys in life when there is evil in the world causing so much pain and suffering. I know it’s always been that way, but I think it’s come as quite a shock to many Americans to see their own government do such unspeakable cruel things and quite so brazenly and openly and with such pride and assurance. Yesterday was May 4th, Star Wars Day for the nerds, and this prick we have as a leader posted a picture of himself with a red light saber. They can’t even get that right and think that they are the rebels and anyone non-Maga represents the Empire. Really? Have you watched the films? Have you seen yourselves in the mirror? Maga, Republicans and the Christian right are most certainly the Empire if you were going to use Star Wars as a metaphor. Like I said, strange times.
Today is Cinco De Mayo and I must imagine those same fuckwits I mentioned above will not be celebrating. No more cerveza, tequila or tacos for you guys now that you support a regime that is actively targeting the Latino community and blaming them for all the so-called problems the country is experiencing. Shameful. What do hateful white supremicist Christian Nationalists eat and do now? They hate the whole world, so what kind of food is left for them? What kind of music can they enjoy now? What kind of culture is left for them? They probably feel emboldened and powerful and think they can just plunder and appropriate at will, but those days won’t last long. It’s Springtime for fuckers right now alright.
Anyway, this morning on Worldy, the radio show I do with my partner Matt, we played a full two hours of cumbia, pop, rock and psych from Mexico and South America to sort of celebrate the day. The intention was to give a fun, fiesta like soundtrack to the day, but not necessarily making it all about Mexico. I think we achieved that, but we weren’t helped by the weather, which has been decidedly dark and overcast and not giving off tropical vibes. Although you do get the heavy rainstorms in the tropics, so perhaps it wasn’t so untypical. Anyway, once I got home and in out of the rain, the dark skies above didn’t really scream sunshine music. So I ended up throwing on a record that I haven’t played in a while, but absolutely love. It fitted the mood, and so that’s going to be my pick for you this week.
Modern English: Mesh & Lace 4AD 1981
I think everyone is aware of this UK band who had the worldwide smash hit single I Melt With You. That song appeared on their 1982 album After The Snow and could be found in any bargain bin for a fiver, although in recent years, as people have come to realize they are more than a one hit wonder, the price has rightfully gone up for a nice copy. Modern English are far from a one hit wonder band, but like a lot of MTV era UK bands, most people know them for that song. In all honesty, it wasn’t until the 1990s that I was made aware of the band having way more gems in their discography. My ex-partner at the record store I had an interest with back in England was a fan and introduced me to their first album and couple of singles, which immediately got my attention when he played them for me. The sound on these recordings from late 1979 through 1981, which ended up on the Mesh & Lace album and the singles Gathering Dust and Swans On Glass, are to my ears and many others, the more interesting.
At this point in their career, the band are much more post punk than pop and sound like a cross between Joy Division, Killing Joke and Wire, with some doses of Magazine, Tubeway Army and John Fox era Ultravox for good measure.
Yeah, for real. That’s the vibes you get from Mesh & Lace. It’s a great album with a dark and moody atmosphere, great songs, fantastic drum and guitar sounds and overall production. It took me several years to own a vinyl copy and, if I am remembering correctly, it was Daniel who gifted me this Canadian pressing. Sounds like the super cool kind of thing he would do. My memory is full of holes like Swiss cheese so I could be forgetting. Thank you Daniel. I probably already wrote about this record in a staff pick before. Woops. Oh well. Did I? Maybe. LoL. So good, it deserves a second plug.
Seriously though, if you dig that early 80s, slightly Goth/Darkwave sound then this is a record you should check out if you aren’t already aware of it. Honestly, while you are at it, you should give their other albums a second listen. After The Snow has several cool songs on it and so does their third 4AD album from 1983 called Ricochet Days. The Gathering Dust single is one of my favorite tunes of theirs and was always a good DJ spin at the Indie Disco.
I mentioned it took me a while to finally own a vinyl copy of Mesh & Lace, and that’s because you don’t see them that often in the bins, especially here in the States. A quick look at Discogs confirmed folks are willing to pay good money for a copy and for those early singles. A worthy investment if you see them at your local record shop.
Okay, the headache is starting, and deadline is approaching. I’ll sign off here, but thanks for reading and your support.
Cheers - Dom