Originally Posted by Jedikiah:
“Popular music is a business, too, and there became a bigger emphasis by 1983, in appearing accessible, or increasingly more user friendly, so to speak. It has to do in part with the increased importance of the MTV pop package. Those pop stars don't exist in their own little bubble. Spandau Ballet's 'True' album is perhaps the most listenable of their career in many ways, so I'm not attempting to knock it, but the general musical climate does dictate certain things, and pop was certainly becoming more conservative sounding as we approach the mid eighties. Spandau Ballet's single releases in 1980/81, showed them willing to really challenge themselves in terms of them doing the unexpected. I am especially referring to the jazz/funk influenced "Chant No 1", after initially adopting that more New Romantic/futuristic style. In fact it is possible to claim many of their early singles included variety, and changing the musical angle somewhat. Once Spandau adopted the more smooth style of 'True', and it became ultra successful, that was that, there was no need for further changes.”
“Popular music is a business, too, and there became a bigger emphasis by 1983, in appearing accessible, or increasingly more user friendly, so to speak. It has to do in part with the increased importance of the MTV pop package. Those pop stars don't exist in their own little bubble. Spandau Ballet's 'True' album is perhaps the most listenable of their career in many ways, so I'm not attempting to knock it, but the general musical climate does dictate certain things, and pop was certainly becoming more conservative sounding as we approach the mid eighties. Spandau Ballet's single releases in 1980/81, showed them willing to really challenge themselves in terms of them doing the unexpected. I am especially referring to the jazz/funk influenced "Chant No 1", after initially adopting that more New Romantic/futuristic style. In fact it is possible to claim many of their early singles included variety, and changing the musical angle somewhat. Once Spandau adopted the more smooth style of 'True', and it became ultra successful, that was that, there was no need for further changes.”
BIB - that was, in turn, linked to something that British groups had not had that much of prior to 1981: success in the USA.
Between 1979 and 1981 especially, there were a number of big acts here that meant nothing in the US, and UrsulaU names three of them: Kate Bush, The Specials and The Jam. I think it's fair to say that none of them went out of their way to appeal to the American market - but MTV's desire for content coincided perfectly with the rise of the new romantics and the 'new pop' that came in its wake … and so Soft Cell, The Human League, Duran Duran and A Flock Of Seagulls all landed major hits in the US in 1982.
I'm sure that both Spandau Ballet and their label Chrysalis were very aware of that: Spandau must have been watching what Duran were doing with green eyes, and Chrysalis, now losing their major singles/album act (Blondie) would have wanted to capitalise on the 'second British invasion'. So I think it's fair to say that both would have wanted to make sure they weren't left behind.
Although of course you can list so many singles I guess.
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