The Wake

My girlfriend said it before I thought it. The ‘80s are coming back. She uttered those prophetic words last summer, as we strolled down Hennepin across from Calhoun Square. Those five words stopped me in full stride. Flashes of bright florescent colors and excessively large hair interrupted my peaceful state of consciousness.

“The ‘80s?” I asked, a bit taken aback. I then uttered a sound that defies the English language. Something like, “iiihhhhg.” I instantly realized that despite spending the first eight years of my life in this decade, I have never once felt nostalgic, nor have I ever had any longing for that strange time to return.

At first, I shrugged off those intuitive words as merely a fashion prediction. I saw some of the influence popping up around town in clothes, accessories and advertisements. My friends and I had already had the discussion about The Strokes borrowing heavily from ‘80s rock. But I never made the connection that all these little signs were pointing to an all-out, cross-cultural return of a decade only 14 years removed.

Since that day, I’ve seen them everywhere. I’m convinced. The ‘80s are waging war on 2004. From posters, from television, from the radio, from your neighborhood hipster bar, and most importantly, from my stereo; all ten years are screaming in unison, “WE’RE BACK!”

They can be ignored no longer, so I present this list of bands who are using the ‘80s well, and whom I believe are going to do quite well for themselves this year. I believe the following three names will become the buzz on the tongues of many this year. That is not to say they will be the only ones, but I believe them to be the shepherds of a 1980s rock renaissance. With that said, let’s begin.

1. The Darkness. This is the most obvious choice of the three. If you’ve heard them already, or better yet seen the video, you know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s all there. The hair, the white leather, the gratuitous guitar solos, the over-the-top extravaganza of an ‘80s rock star. And oh that blistering rock falsetto shot at assault rifle speed over crunchy power chords. I’m not one for glam or hair, but I’d be lying if I said that I’m not completely addicted to their single, “I Believe In A Thing Called Love,” which is more fun than anything else in rock right now. And I believe in a thing called love, too, though I’ve never sung it like that before. But I must confess I am absolutely ecstatic about the fact that I do now, every damn time I hear that song.

2. Razorlight. These guys are badass enough for the serious rock appreciators who sit, ponder and look cool, and at the same time, they’re fun enough for the kids who just like to gyrate and jump around. They’ve got an edge to their sound that will thrust them into this righteous new wave of rockers. They take what the Strokes have in cool and combine it with what the ‘80s had in excess and fun. It’s a hell of a recipe. Trust me.

3. Franz Ferdinand. No one in this band is named Franz or Ferdinand. The two front men are Robert and Alexander. Rob is an artist that and wants to blow peoples’ minds. Alex keeps stealing Bob’s vodka and wants to make music that will make girls want to dance. And so it is, the beautiful marriage of two noble causes. Artistic titillation and lots of girls dancing. And, right, with some alcohol thrown in for good measure. Try to imagine how this scene sounds for a minute. Then go check out Franz Ferdinand’s music and marvel in how similar the two are. This band will jump start your late night party as well as satisfy your sophisto-cat yearnings.

Well, I’ll be the first to admit it. I wasn’t the first to see it coming. But there’s no denying it. The sound of the ‘80s is alive and well and a hell of a lot better this time around. Watch for these three groups, or just let them sneak up on you. This won’t be the last time you see their names or hear the sounds of what might be heralded as the ‘80s rock renaissance.