Part 2 of my conversation with guest Phil Stacey as we discuss our favorite albums of 1980.

Show notes:

  • Recorded via Zoom

  • Jay turned 13, Phil turned 11 in '80

  • Phil's #5: The (English) Beat with a fun release

  • Jay's #5: Ozzy comes back from the dead (career-wise, anyway)

  • Album was later re-recorded to replace rhythm section's parts to avoid paying royalties; original version was restored

  • Jay reps for the NWOBHM

  • Phil's #4: Rush tempers its prog leanings with newer influences

  • Jay's #4: Bowie wraps up a brilliant decade with another classic

  • Phil's #3 and Jay's #2: Talking Heads embrace African sounds

  • Adrian Belew boosts the sound with sick guitar work

  • Jay's #3: Peter Gabriel continues with his impressive solo career

  • Phil Collins debuts his gated drum sound on this album

  • Phil's #1: U2's debut is filled with youthful exuberance, mistakes and great songs

  • Immersing yourself in albums with your Walkman

  • Jay's #1 and Phil's #2: Pretenders debut with a perfect combination of pop, punk and attitude

  • Chrissie Hynde was a veteran of multiple scenes over decades before the Pretenders

  • Pretenders peaked early

  • Favorite songs: "A Day Without Me" (Phil), "Mystery Achievement" (Jay)

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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.