Part 2 of my conversation with guest Phil Stacey as we discuss the music of 1984.

Show notes:

• Recorded via Zoom

• Phil's #5: A strong return for the Pretenders

• Half the band died after the previous album

• Jay's #5 and Phil's #3: An interesting new direction for U2

• Moody, atmospheric production from Brian Eno and Daniel Lanois

• Phil's #4: Audacious debut by the Smiths

• Another influential college rock act

• Phil as the edgy alt-rock kid at freshman orientation

• When bands split up into two versions and keep touring

• Jay's #4: Another great record from the Replacements

• Paul Westerberg's songwriting continued to mature

• Jay's #3: An epic double concept album from Husker Du

• No fancy reissues for SST releases

• Phil's #2: A classic live album from a band that released a great one only a few years earlier

• The expanded version's better than the original

• Jay's #2: R.E.M. continues building their legacy with a second standout album

• A lot of fans jumped off the bandwagon after the next album

• Phil and Jay's #1: A tour de force from Prince

• All killer, no filler

• Favorite songs: "Life During Wartime" (Phil), "Purple Rain" (Jay)

Completely Conspicuous is available through Apple Podcasts. Subscribe and write a review!

The opening and closing theme of Completely Conspicuous is "Theme to Big F'in Pants" by Jay Breitling. Voiceover work is courtesy of James Gralian.