Night Ranger: Hole in the Sun

It's been more than 20 years since they first proved -- nearly scientifically -- that you could still rock in America. And with their new album "Hole in the Sun," Night Ranger is intent on showing their original theorem hasn't faded with time.

Know this up front: The 12-cut CD is heavy with head-banging, fist-thrusting explosions. If you're looking for the softer side of the band that cranked out 80s classics like "Four in the Morning" or "Sister Christian," you're better off grabbing a "best-of collection." For the most part, the band seems to have put its pop-rock sound on the shelf this go around.

"It's new Night Ranger, but in a lot of ways it's classic Night Ranger," singing/bassist Jack Blades says in the official release announcement.

Credit guitarist Brad Gillis with flexing his sizable guns on the work here. "Brad brought in a lot of great ideas, some more modern-sounding things," explains drummer Kelly Keagy. "We wanted a lot of songs like 'Drama Queen' -- great, gritty songs that establish our roots in hard rock."

Here are the highlights:

TOP HEAVY: Like a lot of CDs I've heard lately, the best tunes are right up front. "Tell Your Vision" and "Whatever Happened" make for a fast start.

SOUNDS FAMILIAR: "There is Life" is the closest thing to a "Sister Christian" sequel. I got chills from the opening notes on the piano and found it easy to connect with the lyrics:  "It's never all for nothing. If we have hope, then we gotta try." There's something to be said for a message you can understand.

OLD, OLD SCHOOL: "Revolution 4AM" has almost a '70s southern rock anthem feel to it. You half-expect to evolve into "Free Bird." It's the last thing you'd expect from a San Francisco band, but it works.

NOD TO THE CLASSICS: The review copy of "Hole in the Sun" includes two surprise bonus tracks -- acoustic versions of "Don't Tell Me You Love Me" and "Sister Christian." It's a nice way to mellow out after the guitar fiesta of the first dozen songs. And "Christian" on a simple acoustic guitar is a simple and satisfying pleasure. It's clear that Jack, Kelly and Brad still enjoy playing their signature tune.

BUY OR NO BUY?: Hard-core Night Ranger fans will love the album; the import version from Japan sold well since its 2007 release. Casual fans looking for the next VH1-friendly hit won't find much here outside of "There Is Life" and the two classics redone acoustically. One you figure out which group you fit into, the answer is obvious.

[Photo by Scott Harrison]

Madonna fans are suckers

Madonna celebrates the release of "Hard Candy" with the usual moronic bunch of robotic dancing dweebs Wednesday In New York. [AP photo]

I'll never understand the enduring attraction to Madonna. And after this blog item, I might stop trying. (Even though her apologists will never go away.)

Madonna threw a free concert Wednesday night at New York's Roseland Ballroom, a quaint 2,000-person venue. According to the New York Times, fans waited in line as long as 60 hours for a chance to see her perform -- for 30 ... whole ... minutes.

Plus, if you believe at least one celeb gossip website, she may have been lip-syncing or music-syncing portions of the show. "What Would Tyler Durden Do" -- easily one of the most profane (ie. hilarious) websites out there, posts a short video of the show with this helpful hint: "Just let this clip load all the way then skip to 1:50 because that's when Madonna awesomely stops singing yet you can still hear her singing."

Nice "live" show. From the "Material Girl" to the "Artificial Filler Girl" in just 20 years.

"This is the sound of my soul"

Spandau Ballet will re-release its signature hit "True" on May 5 to mark its 25th anniversary, according to the band's official website.

The digital release will include the original single, a new mix by guitarist/songwriter Gary Kemp and original co-producer Tony Swain, a remastered album version, a live version of the song and -- if that's not enough -- a live recording of the band's other big hit, "Gold."

This summer, the band expects to release Spandau Ballet Sight and Sound, a CD/DVD featuring all the band's hits and accompanying videos.

The excommunication of Madonna

How many more mind-numbing, techno-laden albums must we endure from Madonna before we come to this painful realization: The Material Girl we knew and loved from the '80s is long dead and buried. She's no longer one of us.

Her latest disc -- "Hard Candy" -- bears more resemblance to a Britney Spears collection of b-sides than anything else. Perfect for the booty-bumping, Red Bull-saturated twenty-something crowd -- but total heresy for the older set of us who prefer to remember the subtle but surreal pleasures of tunes like "Live to Tell" and "Crazy for You."

Times pop music critic Sean Daly reviewed "Hard Candy" on his blog yesterday, and it's not hard for 80s fans to read between the lines: "Justin Timberlake, Kanye West, Timbaland and Pharrell bring their synthy booty beats and marching-band samples, Madonna purrs out every dumb 'give it to me' cliche, and we all dance naked," he writes.

Meanwhile, I writhe in agony. Timbaland again? Isn't it enough he destroyed the latest Duran Duran album? How much longer must we be subjected to his Vanilla Icing of the pop music scene?

The only song I could come close to enjoying was "Incredible," a six-minute-long lamentation about  ... hell, I have no idea. The message goes back and forth, but one verse stood out:

"You don't know what you got 'til it's gone.
And everything in life just goes wrong.
Feels like nobody's listening
And something is missing."

I'll tell you what's missing, Madonna ... It's you.

[AP photo]

"Those summer nights are calling..."

This could be a big summer for die-hard Journey fans -- both of them. No, just kidding. Though I was mocked via e-mail last week by a new friend who is completely baffled with my love affair with the band: "I really, really hate Journey. Do you now rescind your friendship?" she asked.

It's Journey, baby! Love means never having to sing "I'm sorry" in falsetto.

Things seem to be clicking again for our San Fran friends. The band just unveiled a redesigned website, a brand new singer, a new album is coming in June and a U.S tour begins in July.

The new album is "Revelation" and is set for release June 3. Don't expect any advance reviews; the band's management says no copies will be made available to critics before the release date.

"Revelation" is actually planned as a three-disc set. The first disc will have 11 re-recorded Journey classics, presumably with Arnel Pineda now on vocals instead of Steve Perry. The second disc has 11 new songs. The third disc is a concert DVD.

Journey will back up "Revelation" with a tour, set to begin July 9 in Denver. For Tampa Bay fans, Journey is is set to play Tampa's Ford Amphitheatre with Heart and Cheap Trick on July 30. Still no word on when tickets go on sale. I'd gladly pay double to sit an ice chest instead of a regular seat. Outdoor shows in July? Who's cryin' now!

Achin’ to be reunited? Maybe ...

As Spearsy tries to get his bearings -- it's all ball-bearings these days -- on his first day back to work, correspondent Jane files an emergency Stuck in the 80s post:

In the wake of this week's reissue releases of their first four albums, The Replacements are entertaining the idea of a reunion, giving hope to '80s indie rock fans for the first live taste of the group since they disbanded in 1991.

Remastered versions of "Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out the Trash," "Stink," "Hootenanny" and "Let It Be," originally produced on the Minneapolis label True/Tone, have been released through Rhino Records, with new bonus tracks on each, including alternate versions, demos and some surprises. Of note are covers of Bill Haley & the Comets' "Rock Around the Clock" and "Hey Good Lookin' " on "Stink" along with T.Rex’s "20th Century Boy" and my personal favorite, "Heartbeat (It's a Love Beat)," initially performed by the DeFranco Family, both on "Let It Be." The reissues of the band’s remaining major label albums originally released on Sire/Reprise are due out later this year.

Per Billboard.com, Paul Westerberg and Tommy Stinson have been fielding offers to perform in a number of venues, including the respected Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival with what would be a revamped 'Mats lineup. Original drummer Chris Mars is retired from the music business, and lead guitarist Bob Stinson died in 1995.

"We actually talked about it again this year ..." Stinson said. "At the last minute, it just didn't seem like the right thing to do, so we didn't do it. But I think Paul and I have something to offer each other still."

"I'm very hesitant about dragging the name out there and what damage we could do to the legend," Westerberg said. "But, I don't know. The records hold the key to the whole thing."

JANE'S TOP 5 FAVORITE REPLACEMENT TUNES:

Dr. Feelgood meets Mr. Joystick?

Def Leppard and Motley Crue are set to become the first two bands to release a song first using just a video game.

The Crue released "Saints of Los Angeles" today on the Xbox version of the game Rock Band. Def Leppard will release "Nine Lives" on Thursday (April 17) on Guitar Hero 3. Both tunes will later be available for download at the usual music sites.

"I know from personal experience how much more you get into the music by playing the game – which is why we were keen to explore this opportunity," Def Leppard singer Joe Elliot told Gigwise.com.

CD toss-up: George Michael vs. R.E.M.

Hey, 80s fans. Big day today. TWO new albums of interest to us just hit store shelves: R.E.M.'s "Accelerate" and George Michael's "Twenty-Five."

But in these times of devastating economic depression, it's probably wise to just pick one to buy for now. But which one? Let's break it down.

COOLNESS FACTOR:
George Michael: He's cooler now than he's been in a long time, thanks to his appearances on TV's "Eli Stone" -- and because he's managed to stay off the tabloid pages for a while now.
R.E.M.: These cats from Athens, Ga., are the epitome of cool. You're not going to see Michael Stipe being arrested in a public bathroom or getting odd brow lifts.
Edge: R.E.M. by a shiny, happy margin.

THE TUNES:
George Michael: "Twenty-Five" is essentially a greatest-hits double disc. So at least you know you're getting the best tunes of his career. And thankfully, no "Wake Me Up Before You Go-Go."
R.E.M.: They're getting good reviews so far, but R.E.M. hasn't put out a decent, complete album since "Charles in Charge" was still on TV.
Edge: Even Scott Baio digs George Michael.

WORD OF MOUTH:
George Michael: Let's face it -- nobody but 80s bloggers are writing about his new album. But the guy sold out nearly 100 cavernous concert venues in Europe during his just-completed tour. He's still somebody worth listening to.
R.E.M.: Any act inducted into the Rock Hall of Fame is going to get intense press coverage of a new album. Peter Buck could have composed it using Guitar Hero III, and it'd still sell well enough to go gold.
Edge: R.E.M. (They are Supermen, and they know what's happening.)

What Would Stuck in the 80s do? Personally, I'm forking over for the George Michael set -- and I'm borrowing Times music critic Sean Daly's copy of "Accelerate." ... It's good to be the king.

Have faith: George Michael is coming

We told you it was just a matter of getting his ducks in a row: George Michael's "25 Live" tour has finally and officially announced its dates for North America.

The tour begins June 17 in San Diego and wraps up Aug. 3 in South Florida. And yes, he has a date for Tampa -- the St. Pete Times Forum on Aug. 2. Nice!

Click here to see the full schedule. Tickets are $56.75-$151.75 and go on sale at 10 a.m. April 7 at the Forum box office and through Ticketmaster at outlets; www.ticketmaster.com; and (813) 287-8844 and (727) 898-2100.

Also, Michael will release a 2-disc CD set called "Twenty-Five" on April 1. The set features 29 songs; a DVD will have 40 videos.

Trying to decide if this tour is worth the money? Here's the set list for his recent tour stops in Europe:

• Waiting Intro
• Flawless
• Fast Love
• Father Figure
• Star People
• First Time Ever I Saw Your Face
• Praying for Time
• Too Funky
• You Have Been Loved
• Everything She Wants
• My Mother Had a Brother
• Shoot the Dog
• 20 Minute Intermission
• Faith
• Spinning the Wheel
• Jesus to a Child
• An Easier Affair
• A Different Corner
• Amazing
• Too Funky (reprise)
• I'm Your Man
• Outside
• Careless Whisper
• Freedom 90

[AP photo]

Still they ride: Journey has a new album

The retooled and reformed version of Journey is planning its next departure to a Wal-Mart near you. The band announced this week that it will release "Revelation," a three-disc CD and DVD, on June 3.

The first CD will have 11 re-recorded classics, featuring new vocalist Arnel Pineda. The second CD has 11 new tunes, also with Arnel, guitarist Neal Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Ross Valory and drummer Deen Castronovo. The last disc is a live, in-concert DVD.

The new release will be sold exclusively at Wal-Mart in North America.

Journey plans to tour the United States beginning in July to support Revelation. Expect the exact dates and locations to be announced in the next couple weeks.

The band also redesigned its official website. Click here to check it out.

Don't you ... forget about them

Admit, you have forgotten about Simple Minds. That's OK. They only cranked out one of the '80s most signature anthems. But the good news is that they're back.

The Scottish group, still fronted by charismatic Jim Kerr, is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a new album and tour.

"Thirty years in music is a big deal after all, or is it not so!" Kerr writes on the band's official website. "Don't tell me you don't agree with me on this unless your name happens to be Dylan, Bowie, Lou Reed, and Jagger etc. If so then yes, you're right."

Right now, the tour just has U.K. and European dates on it. But the interesting news is that Simple Minds also announced they'll perform their 1982 album "New Gold Dream" in its entirety on this tour. That record includes staples such as "Promised You a Miracle," "Glittering Prize" and "Someone, Somewhere In Summertime." Other hits from later years will comprise the show's second half.

The six-date tour begins in April, and there is no plan to extend the tour into the United States.

According to the band's publicist, the new studio album is planned for a 2009 release.

I like the trend of bands playing the entirety of classic albums. But if I could pick a Simple Minds that I want to hear in full, I have another one in mind.

FOUR GREAT SIMPLE MINDS ALBUMS:

4. Street Fighting Years (1989): "Belfast Child" and "Soul Crying Out."

3. Sparkle in the Rain (1984): Features "Up on the Catwalk" and "Waterfront."

2. New Gold Dream (1982): "Promised You a Miracle." "Glittering Prize," and "Someone, Somewhere In Summertime."

1. Once Upon A Time (1985): "Alive and Kicking," "Ghost Dancing," "Sanctify Yourself" and the title track.

[Photo from Bob Thacker]

Is Adam an ant or a bookworm?

Adam Ant is working on a new book about his artistic creations throughout his career. (That's one way to put off a comeback in music.)

Tentatively titled "Adam Ant Art," the book would discuss his influences (both musically and visual) and will feature some of Adam's unpublished original artworks, including storyboards for music videos and hand-written lyric sheets.

Essential Works, Adam's literary agent in London, says the book -- if published -- will only be sold direct to fans online. "We'd hope to have a decision on whether the book goes ahead within the next couple of months," says EW's Michael Gray. Adam previously released an autobiography -- "Stand And Deliver" -- in 2006.

The art book would also feature a CD featuring songs from Adam's September 2007 performance at the Bloomsbury Theatre in London  -- his first live concert in several years.

For more information and pre-ordering information, go to adamantbook.com.

Blog battle: 'Thriller' vs. 'Off The Wall'

Tuesday marks the release of "Thriller 25" -- the epic, 25th anniversary edition of Michael Jackson's landmark album. Cause for celebration? Sure. (Break out the winecoolers and pudding pops.)

But it seems some people out there think the original 1982 album is a RUNNER-UP to other M.J.'s other work. (Unless they're talking about his cosmetic work, I'm baffled.)

By some people, I could only mean Sean Daly, a music critic who's more machine now than man -- twisted and evil. Daly claims that 1979's "Off The Wall" is the real opus. So you know what that means...

BLOG BATTLE ... battalion style. I think it's demented and social (but social) that I even have to explain the rationale here, but Daly's a glutton for punishment -- and for fresh lamb chops, not that this is relevant here, but the guy smells like a Irish butcher shop most days of the week.

Read Sean's sad case first, then read this, you pretty young thing!

TOP 3 REASONS THRILLER IS THE ULTIMATE MICHAEL JACKSON DISC:

3. THE NUMBERS: Number of people who own "Thriller" -- approximately 105-million and counting. Number of people who own "Off The Wall" -- three ... Sean Daly, the roller skating rink down the road and Stevie Wonder (who thought he was buying a copy of "Thriller.")

2. THE TUNES: Nobody woos the opposite sex to "She's Out of My Life" -- except maybe Kenny G or Macaulay Culkin. The rest of us queue up "Human Nature," which is like Spanish Fly to our species. And "Wanna Be Startin' Something" trumps any disco-ridden track on the earlier disc for drawing people to the dance floor. Remember, "Thriller" had SEVEN top-10 singles. And a video for the title song features dance moves that are as ingrained in western culture as anything short of indoor plumbing and microwave popcorn.

1. PRIMO MICHAEL: On the cover the "Off The Wall," Michael looks like Eriq La Salle from "Coming to America" ("Just let your Soul Glo!"). Is that the Michael everyone loves? No, M.J. in 1982 was in his prime -- red leather pants, single glove, slightly smaller nose (but nobody complained.) He christened the Moonwalk to "Billie Jean" -- not "Burn This Disco Out." And Weird Al chose to lampoon "Beat It" -- not "Rock With You."

You know why? Because when it comes to 80s classics, even Weird Al knows that this album can thrill you more than any ghost would dare to try.

B-52s keep the party going

Booty-bots! Jelly-bones! Spandex-spiral vortex! Making space love in zero gravity!

Ah yes, all that sexy talk means the B-52s must finally be back. Our favorite Athenians (sorry, REM) have a new album to reward their fans who have waited since 1992's "Good Stuff" for new danceable tracks.

The new disc -- "Funplex" -- sounds like it could easily be the soundtrack of your local swinger's club. I'm just theorizing, of course. But throughout the 11 tracks, you just get an overwhelming urge to strip down to just a wide smile and jump into a steaming mass of guilty lovin' -- with a dozen strangers all grooving and grinding to the same beat.

The band's sound has been modernized with touches of electro and saw-buzzing guitars, but it doesn't dampen or overpower the irresistible vocal give-and-take of Fred Schneider, Kate Pierson and Cindy Wilson. The trio sound as fresh today as they did on "Rock Lobster" or "Planet Claire" in the late 70s.

It's hard to spot a radio-friendly or top 40 hit among the tunes, but "Pump," "Funplex" and "Keep This Party Going" are good downloads to start with. (You'll have to wait until March 24 to buy the whole album anyway.)

Want the full-power sex-attack? Try "Love in the Year 3000." Just queue it up, lay back and enjoy. Clothing is optional.

Actually, they can get there from here

Finally, R.E.M. has announced some tour details in support of their new album, "Accelerate," which is set for release April 1.

A North American tour is in the works with dates set for May and June, according to their official website. The Athens, Ga.-based band will start May 23 in Vancouver. [Click here for more dates as they're announced.]

Touring with R.E.M. will be Modest Mouse and The National.

The band also has launched a new website to promote the new album -- Ninetynights.com. According to Pitchfork.com, the new album is "fast."

"The lethargic (read: forgettable) touch of 2004's 'Around The Sun' is nowhere to be found, replaced with what band manager Bertis Downs calls 'rockers,' Pitchfork writes. [Click here for the full article.]

FIVE R.E.M. TUNES THAT DON'T GET ENOUGH PLAYTIME:

• Can't Get There From Here
• Just a Touch
• (Don't Go Back To) Rockville
• Radio Free Europe
• Cuyahoga

[AP photo]

Joe Jackson is steppin' out again

Joe Jackson is setting off on a world tour that will bring him to North America in the spring. The tour supports Jackson's new album -- "Rain" -- set for release on Jan. 28.

His website says the new disc's sound reflects the work from 1982's "Night and Day" album, Jackson's best-selling piece of work and home to hits including "Steppin' Out" and "Breaking Us In Two." Many of the songs have appeared live in recent tours, so they won't be surprises to his longtime fans.

"I wasn't in a hurry to make a new album," Jackson says on his website. "I used to be a bit of a workaholic, but I am now much more patient. The quantity has gone down, but the quality has gone up."

Jackson (real name: David Ian Jackson) hasn't been hibernating since the 80s. He's scored five Grammy nominations from 1979 to 2001. Lately, he's been in the news a lot of his campaign against smoking, even penning a pamphlet called "The Smoking Issue" in 2005.

TOP 5 JOE JACKSON TUNES:

5. Be My Number Two: "Don't try to play your funny games on me."

4. Happy Ending: "Do I think about the end when it's only just the start?"

3. Breaking Us In Two: "We could stay at home and stare into each other's eyes."

2. Steppin' Out: "Look and dry your eyes."

1. Is She Really Going Out With Him: " 'Cause if my eyes don't deceive me, there's something going wrong around here."

Yes, I know. That last tune was recorded in '79. But it charted in the 80s too. And you try picking out another Joe Jackson song you recognize!

[Publicity image provided by joejackson.com]

Def Leppard needs a new album title

It must be a good day for album announcements. Shortly after Asia's news of their first disc in 25 years, Def Leppard said today they have completed work on a new studio album, which is expected to be released early this year.

The disc -- the band's first since 2002's "X" -- has the tentative title of "Songs from the Sparkle Lounge," according to Pollstar.com.

In addition, the band will support the album with a world arena tour with supporting acts Styx and REO Speedwagon. Presale for tickets begins today. More information is available on the band's official website.

The tour kicks off March 27 in Greensboro, N.C. (the same spot Van Halen chose for their reunion tour). Their second stop -- March 29 at the Hard Rock in Hollywood -- is the band's only Florida stop scheduled so far. (Click here for full list of dates.)

[Publicity photo]

25 years later, a new Asia album

There's finally a name and release date for a brand new studio album by the four original members of Asia. The new disc will be called "Phoenix" and it's set for stores in April, the band announced on its website today.

Phoenix (yeah, yeah, we get it -- the band rises from the ashes) is the first album by the group's original lineup since "Alpha" back in 1983. Geoff Downes, John Wetton, Steve Howe and Carl Palmer did record and release a live album and DVD -- "Fantasia" -- last year after their reunion tour.

The album might catch some fans by surprise. Last spring, drummer Carl Palmer told Stuck in the 80s that "the world is not waiting for an Asia album -- we all know that." However, when singer/bassist John Wetton had to take an unexpected break from touring to undergo heart surgery in the fall, the band used the time to write the new tunes.

In addition, artist Roger Dean -- the artist behind the band's signature album art in the early 80s -- will return to create the Phoenix cover.

Click here to hear the full interview with Carl Palmer on our podcast.

[Publicity photo]

A new Blade Runner: 'Time to buy!'

A new reworked version of Blade Runner has hit theaters on a very limited release. "Blade Runner: The Final Cut" comes 25 years after the original thriller starring Harrison Ford, Sean Young and Rutger Hauer.

As most sci-fi fans know, a director's cut was released in 1992 that removed Ford's narration from the movie, something director Ridley Scott detested in the original flick. This new "final cut," however, is a major overhaul.

According to Science Fiction and Fantasy Media, the new version includes a slew of reworked scenes, altered dialog and more violence. Some entire scenes have actually been re-shot. And the latest audio and film technology has been used to give the entire film a face-left.

One of the most intriguing changes begs the question: Is Deckard a replicant? An longer fantasy scene, involving Ford character's daydream of a unicorn, suggests he could be.

"Gaff (played by Edward James Olmos), at the end, doesn't like Deckard, and we don't really know why," Ridley told SFFM. "And if you take for granted for a moment that, let's say, Deckard is Nexus 7, he probably has an unknown life span and therefore is starting to get awfully human."

Click here to see a trailer of the movie. The DVD version is set for release on Dec. 18.

ABC's new album nearly ready

Shoot that poison arrow through my ha-ha-heart!

ABC is set to release their first new studio album in 10 years on Feb. 4. The disc is called "Traffic," and the first release of it "The Very First Time" is already getting radio play in England.

According to the band's official website, a world tour is set to follow the release of "Traffic," starting Feb. 9 in Berlin, with dates in Canada and the U.K. to follow in the spring.

The new album and tour won't have the original lineup of ABC -- just singer Martin Fry and drummer David Palmer.

Another "Thriller" coming soon

Michael Jackson is releasing a 25th anniversary edition of his 1982 opus "Thriller" on Feb. 12. The new disc will include eight new tracks and a DVD featuring videos of the big hits and his infamous "Billie Jean" performance on the Motown TV special.

According to Variety.com, five of the bonus tracks have never been released. They include a "Billie Jean" remix by Kanye West, a new versions of "Wanna Be Startin' Something," "The Girl Is Mine" and "P.Y.T." A tune called "Carousel," which was supposed to be on the original album, is also on the new disc.

Remember, you can listen to our Thriller podcast by clicking here to learn everything you want to know about the disc and Sean Daly's dysfunctional friend who did a special Michael Jackson tribute dance back in school. Classic story.

The Blow Monkeys are back!

Hey, Blow Monkeys fans! (All three dozen of you ... just kidding! I love those squirrelly little guys.) Eighteen years after their last album, the band is reforming and recording a new studio album. A tour is expected to follow.

The reunion includes all four original members of the band -- Dr. Robert, Mick Anker, Neville Henry and Tony Kiley. The British "sophisti-pop" band was best known for its 1986 hit "Digging Your Scene." The band originally broke up in 1990.

But here's the odd twist: According to the band's new website, fans are being asked to buy the record in advance so the Blow Monkeys can offset the production costs. In return, fans get a signed, numbered edition of the disc, a thank-you letter from the Monkeys and entry into a drawing for free concert tickets.

"We want to make an album free of record company executives and PR spin," the band writes on its blog. "An album for the fans. Raw and funky. Essential Blow Monkey music. Simian Soul. Primate Punk. Delicious melodic Glam Jazz that only Blow Monkeys know how ... but this time with your input and backing."

Interesting strategy. Anyone out there a fanatic enough to pony up the money in advance for a Blow Monkey disc? Come on, I know you're out there.

Big Country is back

The words would have once seemed impossible to put together, but here it is: Big Country is back together and making new music.

The Scottish band so big in the 80s with hits including "In a Big Country" and "Fields of Fire" had been considered retired for good after the 2001 death of lead singer Stuart Adamson. But the band has reformed with founding members Bruce Watson, Tony Butler and Mark Brzezicki reuniting. (Butler takes on the lead vocal chores now.)

A new live album -- "Twenty Five Live" -- has been released, and the band has toured the U.K. to support the new disc. A new single -- "You Lift Me Up" -- also has been released. (Go to the band's MySpace page to listen.)

What could be next ... a new studio album? A world tour? Keep a close eye on the band's official website for developments.

The 'massacre' of the Duran Duran we loved

After listening to Duran Duran's new "Red Carpet Massacre" CD a couple times, I'm forced to make this observation: Now the lads from Birmingham know how KISS felt after making the ill-fated "Dynasty" album back in '79 -- inappropriate, out of place and shameful.

Producers Timbaland and Justin Timberlake have drowned our heroes in a deluge of house-mix techno-horror so thick with computerized beats that it's no wonder guitarist Andy Taylor went sprinting away from this project. (Drummer Roger Taylor should have done the same. You can't make him out on many of the 12 tracks.)

Times pop critic Sean Daly gave "Red Carpet Massacre" a B-minus in his review. My reliable and sexually gregarious podcast co-host admittedly hated the Timbaland influence but still calls it "one of their most interesting" albums, tagging the song "Tempted" as a tune that "would have been a hit back in '85). God, I hope not. (Click here to read his full review.)

Let's start the hating with "The Valley," the first tune on the disc. So evil to the core, the song should be jettisoned into deep space -- with only a nuclear explosion capable of freeing it from an eternal prison. (Just like General Zod and his cronies in Superman II ... or Gil Gerard in Buck Rogers, for that matter.)

It's certainly not the only painful track: the title track is beyond such poetic description, and "Nite Runner" sounds like a B-side from Arcadia or Power Station (which is the closest I can come to damning praise.) "Skin Divers" stinks of circa 1978 disco effects -- were they sampling "I Was Made For Lovin' You"? -- and mid-90s boy-band rap choruses. 

The bright moments? Maybe "Falling Down" and "Box Full O' Honey" will make it onto my iPod playlists. And if someone could strip the overproducing from "Tempted," it'd make for a great live song. And in all fairness, Simon Le Bon's voice -- when you can hear it over the robotic thumping -- is near perfect. (Simon, turn "She's Too Much" into an acoustic piece and you're sittin' in butter, my friend.)

I can understand DD's temptation to modernize their sound. But while they were busy surrendering their souls to today's peddlers of monotonous music, the rest of the industry went retro. Come on, guys! Bands like Scorpions, REO Speedwagon and Loverboy are putting out new discs that are true to their roots -- and they sound great.

Duran Duran, you should have done the same.

Simple Minds: Still alive and kicking

Simple Minds has inked a record deal with new label W14/Universal and plans to have a new album out in 2008. The band's official website also says to expect a tour next year.

This is great news for long-suffering fans of the Glasgow, Scotland, band who can't seem to get enough of Jim Kerr and his supporting cast. Simple Minds hasn't toured the U.S. since 2002, but recently completed a short tour of Australia and New Zealand.

If you're never seen them live, you're missing out. I caught their 1986 tour at Tampa's now demolished Curtis Hixon Hall after their "Once Upon a Time" album and it's easily one of the top 3 shows I've seen live. I only knew two songs beforehand, but went out and bought their entire catalog afterward.

The band celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, though it has been 22 years since their only No. 1 single in the U.S. -- "Don't You (Forget About Me)." As many hard-core fans know, the song wasn't even written by the band, but instead by soundtrack composer and Billy Idol producer Keith Forsey. (In fact, Billy Idol and Bryan Ferry both turned down the song before it landed in the lap of Simple Minds.)

But is that truly their greatest tune? Not even close.

TOP 5 SIMPLE MINDS TUNES OF THE 80s:

5. Don't You (Forget About Me): "It's my feeling we'll win in the end."

4. Someone, Somewhere in Summertime: "Somewhere there is some place, that one million eyes can't see."

3. Waterfront: "Come in, come out of the rain."

2. All the Things She Said: "Take me in your arms and I'll fade away."

1. Alive and Kicking: "You lift me up, don't you ever stop, I'm here with you."

Boys on film ... (two minutes later)

If I posted a new photo of Duran Duran every day, it wouldn't be enough for some of you fans out there, I'm guessing. So here's a shot of John Taylor and Simon Le Bon performing their "Red Carpet Massacre" tour at Broadway's Barrymore Theater on Nov. 3.

Rolling Stone has posted its review of the new album, but I can't tell if it's good or bad. (I never can tell with their "too-smart-for-you" reviews). "...'Skin Divers' and 'Zoom In' are classic Durannie funk a la 'Notorious'," writes Rob Sheffield, who seems uncomfortable with the realization that the lads are now eligible for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. (Hey, at least they play instruments and rock music -- unlike, say, Madonna!)

Meanwhile back to the show. Stuck in the 80s fans who've seen the Broadway concert are giving it raves:

• "I thought it was brilliant. Playing a whole album live should be a treat to fans and those who were attending (and frankly those attending should have known WHAT they were attending)." -- Trent
• "I attended the first Broadway show and was pleasantly surprised by the material. ... The crowd energy and 2 hour show the band put on was very entertaining" -- Candace
• "Speaking as one of those old age long term DD fans who has been scratching their heads at the whole Timbaland/Timerlake thing, I must say that what I've heard so far -- a bootleg of the first show -- has made me feel really excited for the band." -- Braveapollo

Hey, color me convinced. Just a week left til "Red Carpet Massacre" hits store shelves. (Who am I kidding -- we're all just buying it on iTunes, right?)

[Photo by Getty Images]

Duran Duran shows an 'unnecessary gamble?'

Reviews of the Duran Duran's run of intimate concerts on Broadway are starting to trickle out, and the reaction from critics is a bit subdued.

The lads from Birmingham, England, are playing their new album -- Red Carpet Massacre -- start to finish to open each show. Then they launch into a short set of electronica before finishing with a set of the old favorites.

The Hartford Courant, which reviewed a few warm-up shows, said "while it's refreshing to see a veteran band so excited about its new material, hitting the audience with a straight hour of unfamiliar music seems an unnecessary gamble."

Some of the new songs "feature the same throbbing keyboards and robo-funk beats that have spelled smash for Justin Timberlake, Nelly Furtado, and even Britney Spears," the Courant writes.

OK, that's probably good news for fans below the age of 23. But I'm guessing the rest of us are shaking our heads. Let's hope they shake up the set list before taking this act on the road.

Where's 'Lloyd' when we need him most?

Our hero John Cusack has a new flick out -- the name goes something like "Martian Child" or "Julia Child" or some variation thereof. Will the Stuck in the 80s go see it? Probably. We need our Cusack fix any way we can get it.

But let me ask you this? How much longer do we have to wait for another brilliant Cusack movie from days of yore? And I don't even mean exclusively 80s here. I'll take another "High Fidelity" over "Must Love Dogs" any day. Give me another "Max" over "Serendipity." And I'll go as far as to take "Pushing Tin" over "America's Sweethearts."

I know the 41-year-old Cusack isn't going to get any choice "Lloyd Dobler" roles in the near future. That role in 1989's "Say Anything" has to be put up high on a shelf, under glass, for future teen actors to drool over.

One popular story on the blogs has it that a girl once came up to Cusack in a bar after "Say Anything" came out and asked him, "Are you Lloyd?" Cusack's reply: "On my better days."

Sappy romantic-comedies seem to be the fate of poor Dobler these days. Much against his character's creed, Cusack is now left with a job of selling anything, buying anything or processing anything. With Martian Child, he's probably selling something bought or processing something sold, buying something sold or processed ... you get the picture.

Come on, Cusack! Try kick-boxing ... sport of the future!

TOP 5 FAVORITE ROLES OF JOHN CUSACK:

5. Rob Gordon (High Fidelity): "I've been listening to my gut since I was 14 years old, and frankly speaking, I've come to the conclusion that my guts have s--t for brains. "

4. Buck Weaver (Eight Men Out): "Those fellas are all gone now."

3. Walter Gibson (The Sure Thing): "Didn't you ever get really s--tfaced and maybe make a complete fool of yourself and still have an excellent time?"

2. Lane Meyer (Better Off Dead): "Gee, I'm real sorry your mom blew up, Ricky."

1. Lloyd Dobler (Say Anything): "If you guys know so much about women, how come you're here at like the Gas 'n' Sip on a Saturday night completely alone drinking beers with no women anywhere?"

The Grand Delusion of Styx

What's so unique about Styx, those Chi-town prog-rockers, that makes them irresistible to book writers? (Remember, bassist Chuck Panozzo penned his own version of the Styx story last year.)

For starters, the band has a back-story more dramatic than any band of its generation. And until they manage to put differences aside and reunite with Dennis DeYoung, expect more written dissection of the band.

The latest book on Styx is called "The Grand Delusion: The Unauthorized True Story of Styx" by Sterling  Whitaker. The author allows minimal personal commentary and lets the band members and those in the inside circle tell the story of their highly dysfunctional history.

The result: A compelling and often sad tale of a group of vastly different personalities who formed an unlikely alliance and became a superstar act for the decades.

Whitaker, who lives in Nashville, wrote "Unsung Heroes of Rock Guitar" in 2003. He recently took time out to answer some questions from Stuck in the 80s on his latest book:

Why the attraction to Styx for a biography? You must be a super-fan.

"Absolutely. When I was in kindergarten, I won a huge stack of 45s at a cakewalk at the school fair at the gym. This was in 1975, and one of the songs was 'Lady,' which was new at that time, with B-side 'Children of the Land.' I was warped for life. Later on, 'The Grand Illusion' was the first album I ever bought with my own money, and it is still my favorite record ever recorded. When I became a freelance writer, Tommy Shaw was the first major interview I ever did."

It's an unauthorized biography. What sort of cooperation did you get from band members?

"I had been warned repeatedly by various insiders to tread lightly through the minefield of potential litigation that is the career of Styx, so I was not too surprised when I did not get cooperation from many of the principals. ...  In the end I got to interview Tommy (Shaw), Glen Burtnik (who briefly replaced Shaw) and Todd Sucherman (who took over drumming after John Panozzo) from the band, as well as many insiders such as managers, record company executives, crew members, PR people, journalists,  fans and friends."

Did any of the band members surprise you with their personalities when dealing with them one on one?

"My contact with Dennis was limited to a phone call a long time ago, but for what it's worth, he was cordial, polite, and very funny, and he also seemed genuinely interested in what I had to say."

"Tommy surprised me a bit in that he is much more intelligent and insightful than he sometimes comes across. Sometimes I think he plays that 'Aww shucks, I'm just a simple country boy' shtick out of habit, but it's not who he is; not entirely, at least. Tommy is not dumb at all. Many Styx insiders have told me that he is 'dumb like a fox,' and that although he may not have the formal education of the other guys, in street smarts he trumps them all."

-- For more information on Whitaker's book, visit his website.

Win a home theater system? Inconceivable!

Our favorite fairytale 80s movie -- well, maybe the only movie fitting that genre -- turns 20 years old this year. And "The Princess Bride" is coming out in a special editing DVD to mark the occasion. Look for it in stories in mid-November.

In conjunction with the anniversary and DVD release, MGM Home Entertainment has launched an "Ode to Princess Bride" online contest. Contestants in the online sweepstakes are provided and "editor's took kit" with video, audio and music from the film. Using those, the challenge is to create your own video trailer.

Winners will be selected by movie producers Norman Lear and Rob Reiner. What does the grand prize winner score? A state-of-the-art home theater package and autographed movie script.

The contest ends this Sunday, so get cracking. Go to www.theprincessbride.com for more information.

The kids are still hot tonight

Just when you needed another fresh injection of 80s rock, Loverboy is here with a new album.

"Just Getting Started" is the name of the new album -- the band's first is more than 10 years. It will be released Nov. 6 initially in an exclusive deal with Wal-Mart.

I've been listening to the new disc for a couple weeks now, and it's a much-overdue blast of pure Canadian 80s rock. Vocalist Mike Reno's voice sounds fully recharged and he really seems energized by the new material.

The first song the band recorded -- "Stranded" -- is actually the last song on the disc. The song is written as an ode to Scott Smith, the band's former bassist who was lost at sea while sailing in 2000.

The 10 songs still feature the guitar-and-keyboards barrage and working class lyrics that made the band so accessible to fans during their hey-day. Highlights on the disc include the hard-rocking title track and the 9-to-5 anthem "One Of Them Days."

"I love the way it sounds. I love the album cover. I love the fact that we're almost giving it away," vocalist Mike Reno told a Canadian newspaper. "I love the fact that we're giving half-price downloads on most of the download systems. And I'm perfectly aware that more than half of the people in the world will steal it. I'm happy with all of that."

LOVERBOY PLAYS TAMPA BAY: Speaking of Loverboy, the band plays Oktoberfest in St. Petersburg's Vinoy Park on Saturday, Oct. 27. $5 advance at Albertson stores (with proof of purchase), $10 Ticketmaster; $20 at gate. (727) 579-2026