Album Mini-review: Love and Rockets — Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven (Blu-Ray)
File next to: Siouxsie and the Banshees, Psychedelic Furs
One of the problems with hit records is that they’re often too representative of the era in which they were made. Whether it’s production values, instrument choices or general approach, too many songs all but scream “1980s!” when they’re played decades later. It’s the rare release that transcends this to become timeless. Formed in the wake of goth rock heroes Bauhaus‘ dissolution, Love and Rockets took their music in a much more pop-leaning direction. And despite a few of those ’80s trappings – drum machines, synthesizers – 1985’s Seventh Dream of Teenage Heaven sounds nearly as fresh more than 30 years on. The massed vocal harmonies, shimmering guitars and subtle nods to ’60s psychedelia pointed the way to a bright future indeed for the British trio. This Blu-ray reissue provides a lush remix for 21st century fans of quadrophonic stereo.
About the Author
Bill Kopp
With a background in marketing and advertising, Bill Kopp got his professional start writing for Trouser Press. After a stint as Editor-in-chief for a national music magazine, Bill launched Musoscribe in 2009, and has published new content every business day since then (and every single day since 2018). The 4000-plus interviews, essays, and reviews on Musoscribe reflect Bill's keen interest in American musical forms, most notably rock, jazz, and soul. His work features a special emphasis on reissues and vinyl. Bill's work also appears in many other outlets both online and in print. He regularly hosts lecture/discussions on artists and albums of historical importance (including monthly events Music to Your Ears and Music Movie Mondays), and is a frequent guest on music-focused radio programs and podcasts. In Spring 2023 he is co-teaching a history of Rock 'n' Roll at UNC Asheville's College for Seniors. He also researches and authors liner notes for album reissues -- more than 30 to date -- and co-produced a reissue of jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley's final album. His first book, Reinventing Pink Floyd: From Syd Barrett to The Dark Side of the Moon was published by Rowman & Littlefield in 2018, and in paperback in 2019. His second book, Disturbing the Peace: 415 Records and the Rise of New Wave, was published in 2021 by HoZac Books. His third book, What's the Big Idea: 40 Great Concept Albums will be published in 2024. Read even more about him here.