Late 70's early 80's produced some of the best music of the last 50 years IMO. I hated most of the 80's music at the time because I was heavily into stuff like Rainbow and Metallica. But as I get older I really appreciate how great some of it was. I love The Smiths now....hated them as a teen. 

I'm going to defend the Matthew Wilder song. While its true that he looked like an utter douche, and had the weaseliest voice imaginable, I can still appreciate a well written and harmonized melody. I'm trying to incorporate more 80's sounds into my music and I do like that synth. 

Was that a Chapman stick?

sharke


Late 70's early 80's produced some of the best music of the last 50 years IMO. I hated most of the 80's music at the time because I was heavily into stuff like Rainbow and Metallica. But as I get older I really appreciate how great some of it was. I love The Smiths now....hated them as a teen. 

I'm going to defend the Matthew Wilder song. While its true that he looked like an utter douche, and had the weaseliest voice imaginable, I can still appreciate a well written and harmonized melody. I'm trying to incorporate more 80's sounds into my music and I do like that synth. 

Same here, as you guess. We (well, not I actually, but people) used to rip pretty hard on those poor kids who were into that music - The Smiths and all those bands -  because, well, "they were wussies". 


But looking back, they probably had much more courage than us metalheads and punks. 


But we grow up, and I'm all for well-crafted pop songs. 


Same for Depeche Mode actually - they're one of my favorite bands but some of their old stuff didn't age all that well. I used to say that I wanted to write something that was like a heavier and creepier Depeche Mode type of music.

Talk Talk was another 80's one that has stood the test of time

An 80's song that I HATED at the time but love now is The First Picture Of You by the Lotus Eaters. Lovely song and great guitar part. Makes me sooo nostalgic for teenage summers to listen to it now. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GpQCAAOyi04

And one that strangely enough I loved back then and still love now is Wishful Thinking by China Crisis. Takes me back more than any other song. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N9582_431nk

I like too many genres.  It gets expensive and hard to explain to others.  LOL!

Poor quality, but still - proof that synths are cool. :P

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WQxN3pLGAg

Me love me some Taurus pedals!  One toy I've never had...

That's a Taurus AND a Rickenbaker... 

Now all we need is a Rush fan to spoil the party and tell us how Geddy Lee would have played arpeggios w/ a single toe on the Taurus while doing crazy bass runs on the Rick behind his head while texting someone..

No, no...  No one's going to say that! 
(Geddy doesn't text.)