A Flock Of Seagulls - A Flock Of Seagulls

Artist:  A Flock Of Seagulls
Album:  A Flock Of Seagulls
Year:  1982
Genre:  New Wave

I have the sneaking suspicion that there is not one kid who grew up in the 80s that isn't familiar with A Flock Of Seagulls.  Could it be because it was impossible to turn the radio on without hearing the two mind-invading songs "I Ran (So Far Away)" and "Space Age Love Song" from their debut album?  Perhaps.  Maybe because they were huge at the dawn of MTV?  Sure.  My theory is most people will remember the band for the unique haircut one of the members sported, which, even by new wave and punk standards was a touch unusual.  To put it bluntly, keyboard player and singer Mike Score looked like a horned owl.  It might sound silly, but it sure created a lasting impression.  So, we have an image laden group with pop songs on FM radio who were MTV darlings.  I knew both the hits well and even spun “I Ran (So Far Away)” on the Blast Off comp on K-Tel my sister and I had, but I wouldn't have given their full album two seconds of thought no matter how difficult it was to avoid their presence.  As posted earlier on my review of Shock Therapy, my musical life and outlook changed in 1987.  No longer was I inundating myself solely in hard rock, heavy metal, punk and hardcore, so bands like A Flock Of Seagulls were now welcome in my world even if it was five years later from the release of this album.  Good thing, as A Flock Of Seagulls has been my long-standing, favorite synthpop / new wave record ever made.  People will make an argument that this high praise and distinction belongs to Devo, Duran Duran, Blondie or a handful of others, but my vote goes to the boys from Liverpool.

Closely following the blueprint laid out by The Tubeway Army, A Flock Of Seagulls put their forever stamp on the new wave genre by incorporating pop and technology while not forgetting their punk predecessors in the process.  The guitars fall somewhere between the most complex U2 riffs and the most melodic Joy Division riffs with leads that stand on their head.  Therein lies the magic of this band.  So much of the synthpop movement in the 80s was a bit too happy, or sappy, for my tastes.  Bands were straddling the line between saccharine-infused bubble gum pop and overdramatized sentimental garbage to make the best attempt to become, at minimum, a one-hit-wonder.  The result was exceedingly tame music with ultra-happy songs or ultra-boring ballads.  This is the exact reason bands such as Yaz, Spandau Ballet, ABC, Heaven 17, OMD and others never resonated with me. A Flock Of A Seagulls is a guitar-driven band that propels the songs in much more of a late 70s new wave, bordering on post-punk, direction which I absolutely love.  Even in the pop realm, my aggressive side still needs to be entertained and songs like “Messages” or “Modern Love Is Automatic” do absolutely that.

A Flock Of Seagulls created something exceptional on their debut.  They became an icon of their genre and forever ingrained themselves into pop culture.  Three less successful albums later, the 80s were done with the band and the band was done with itself.  Does that forever condemn them to the realm of the famous 80’s one hit wonders?  I suppose it could if one were to look so narrowly at only their successful songs.  There was so much more to A Flock Of Seagulls and they proved it on this stellar release.

Listen to "Messages" here.