The Loft - Up The Hill And Down The Slope (Creation Records, 1985)

Archetypal indie from early Creation days.

Before Creation thought that The House Of Love would take over the world and long before Oasis actually did, The Loft were the great, pale hopes of the label.

'Up The Hill And Down The Slope' is a really nice record that embodies the left-of-the-mainstream approach to guitar pop in 1985.

The vocal is slightly off-key and strained, the guitars jangle and the drums are a skiffle shuffle meted out on cardboard boxes. However, The Loft manage to eke out a rockabilly-tinged slice of jangly pop.

And, of course, it gave the excellent Creation bio-book 'My Magpie Eyes Are Hungry For The Prize' its title.

Download The Loft 'Up The Hill And Down The Slope' (Creation, indie, CRE15T, mp3, vinyl rip) (Divshare)

Stephen AJ Duffy - Unkiss That Kiss (Extended Version) (10, 1985)

Even his over-produced 80s follow-up singles were delightful.

Having dropped the "Tin Tin" at the request of French lawyers, Stephen Duffy rechristened himself Stephen AJ Duffy and set about following-up 'Kiss Me' and 'The Ups And Downs'.

'Unkiss That Kiss' has the clattering, stuttering drum machine of many a mid-80s chart-botherer but, being the man he is, the record still betrays an archness and poise that separates him from the crowd.

Through the scrum of pan pipe DX7 sounds, bangs, synth bass and backing singers, gleams a bittersweet love song. And, boy, does the man know how to write a middle eight!

Vinyl rip.

Download Stephen AJ Duffy - Unkiss That Kiss (Extended Version) (80s Pop mp3) (Box.net)

Prince and the Revolution - She's Always In My Hair (Paisley Park, 1985)

Effortless, almost throwaway, slice of brilliant funk-pop.

Prince was probably crapping out great songs in his sleep around this time, a purple (ahem) patch that ran from the end of '1999' era to, IMHO his best album, 'Around The World In A Day'.

'She's Always In My Hair' was the b-side of 'Paisley Park' - a tight, funky piece of psychedelia-tinged pop.

Opening with a phased drum pattern, slap bass, rolling organ stabs underpinning it the track, the same basic beat runs throughout like it's a demo (it probably is), an effortlessly funky guitar wig-out, waves of Prince's vocals across the track.

Just sublime. I defy not to listen to it again and again.

Download Prince and the Revolution - She's Always In My Hair (Psychedelic funk pop, Prince mp3) (Box.net)

Siouxsie & The Banshees 'Cities In Dust (12" Extended Eruption Mix)' (Polydor, 1985)

Shimmering, swirling piece of prime Banshees. Extended.

Classic Banshees, from their great 'Tinderbox' album.

I was a bit late to see how original and important Siouxsie and the Banshees were in combining rhythm, melody and moodiness. I can hear their influence in everyone from The xx to The Horrors to Blouse.

Great stuff.

Download Siouxsie & The Banshees 'Cities In Dust (12" Extended Eruption Mix)' (post-punk mp3 download) (Mediafire)

The Jesus & Mary Chain 'Just Like Honey (Demo)' (Blanco Y Negro, 1985)

This song, in its single version, worked so perfectly at the end of 'Lost In Translation', the blurred, gentle feedback creating a beautifully hazey mood.

Especially around their first couple of albums, The Jesus & Mary Chain were more notorious for their aggressive, feedback-drenched anthems and live gigs/riots. However, this song was the opening track on their debut album ('Psychocandy') so right from the start they were trying to emphasise songwriting over their (or Alan McGee's) mischief-making.

In its demo form 'Just Like Honey' is just as sumptuous and sweet and reminds me a little of the twee pop which other Glasgow luminaries like The Pastels and Melody Dog are more famous. The acoustic take with just bass drum, tambourine hits and guitar works perfectly, casting the song in a more sun-dappled, positive light.

Download The Jesus & Mary Chain 'Just Like Honey (Demo)' (mp3) (Mediafire)

Dexys Midnight Runners - This Is What She's Like (Mercury, 1985)

Simply one of the most staggering songs which shines like a star even among the pretty staggering Dexys portfolio. Released as a single in the wake of the album, it was an almighty flop after the worldwide success of 'Come On Eileen'. It's hard to understand why in hindsight but pop's a funny business.

This song typifies the genius of the 'Don't Stand Me Down' album. Utterly singular in its vision and realisation. Totally soulful and heartfelt. Completely uncompromising.

A twelve-minute lovesong stretching across five sections, encompassing a spoken word intro, strident soul-pop, a Beach Boys harmony interlude and all winding up into a Van Morrison stomp and the staggering, heart-breaking beauty as the horns kick in at 8'14". At this point the video captures the weightlessness, giddiness and euphoria of unbridled love-stroke-passion. And Kevin Rowland can fly.

Sadly 'Don't Stand Me Down' seems to be out-of-print again after a 90s reissue on Creation and then EMI about five years ago. This track is available on the 'Let's Make This Precious' compilation, alas in abridged form.

Perfection.

Oh, and The Little Nibble isn't there any more. I looked last time I was in Bearwood. Indeed, The Hearing Aid blog confirms that it shut down. Shame.