“Electronic Pop of the Eighties” c.1979-80
Date
Credits
- Island Records Inc. Producer
- The Buggles Subject
Format
- Archive 156
- Print 248
- Press Release 2
Type of Work
- Archive 200
Media
- paper 1354
Techniques
Dimensions
Locations Made
- United States 756
Several years ago I picked up a copy of the Buggles' album, The Age of Plastic, at a vintage store kiosk. I knew the record contained the MTV-era defining track, Video Killed the Radio Star. This concept was anticipatory, or even a great premonition, given that music videos were in nascent form at the time.
Inside the album, which was a promotional copy, was this blue paper typed press release from the record company, Island. To my knowledge, the LP was first distributed late in 1979, yet this “bio” of the band carries a number of 0180. Such a liminal moment, with Trevor Horn calling the content “Electronic Pop of the Eighties.”
Buggles, a British act, did not sustain momentum through the new decade, yet this album remains very, very good, and is unique in its sound. My personal favorite track is the non-single, Johnny on the Monorail.
Horn and Buggles bandmate, Geoff Downes, would go on to temporarily influence the sound of the prog rock, Yes, and then, separately, Art of Noise and the supergroup, Asia (think Heat of the Moment).
