If you had to choose: MIRAGE vs. TANGO IN THE NIGHT

[redbird]

Originally Posted by Ulpian

I'm interested to hear the term "80s" used in derogatory fashion here by some in respect of TITN's vibe. I love it. For some of us, the sound produced at that time is second to none.

I also never get the vitriol directed at Little Lies and Everywhere. There are crimes far greater than writing a song with a killer hook, 'bland' as you might think the lyrics to be. If you're gunning for Christine, go for some of her Tusk songs - TITN was her moment to stand out. Lindsey, too; the darkness he conveys is marvellous.

I don't think it's an objectively wrong sound, it's just something that I don't love as consistently. That's personal taste, I don't think it's anything but subjective.

FWIW I'm a 90's kid, and the 60's and 70's came back in style before the 80's really did -- actually I think 80's retro is happening right now (maybe more in the fashion world than in the music world, I don't know really). But perhaps since the 90's followed the 80's, it was probably in reaction to it and when you define yourself against something else you push that something else away. I don't consciously reject anything just because of association, but still, at this point in my mental development certain things just appeal to me more. I tend to like earthier sounds than what I think a lot of 80's pop music explored, since a lot of technological innovations were happening then, and even in today's music scene I don't listen to that much electronica or techno etc while I often like lo-fi stuff. (Incidentally, HD TV sometimes freaks me out.)

I do like some songs with synthesizers and whatnot, don't get me wrong, and I like to keep my mind open. I think several of the Tango songs have a lot of things going for them, but somewhere inside I long to hear them with different instrumentation. "Everywhere" is a great example, I looooove to sing that song by myself but I hate the windchime effect and the super layering of the vocals in the chorus on the track. It pushes it from joyfully sweet to overly saccharine for me. I ache to hear that song with just the basic instruments and the three-part harmonies.

"Little Lies" OTOH I love just as it is. It's a case of an "80's" sounding song that I happen to appreciate.