I mentioned on Facebook recently that I was listening to Song to the Siren by This Mortal Coil, a wonderful song from the 1980s. The number of people who commented was unsurprisingly large, as this song is one which really touches people. I remember hearing it, and going straight to a record shop and buying the 12″ single version (with 16 Days on the A side) fifteen minutes after hearing the song – something which no other song has ever made me do!
There was so much good music coming off that label, bands like Dead Can Dance, and the Cocteau Twins, were two favourites in the magical community, and others like The The, Modern English, Colourbox, Xmal Deutchsland and Wolfgang Press all producing distinctive sounds. Looking at the quality of those bands does make that period in the 80s seem like halcyon days in some ways.
Fortunately there are bands which have stepped up and ensured that there is still good music which is not too cliched or naff, bands like Shriekback and Faith and the Muse, which retain dsitnctive sounds and still produce music worth listening too. I wonder what will be popular in 20 years time, and how the bands I have mentioned will be viewed then!
