Rob riffs on the debut studio album by Michael Penn, “March” featured in March of 1990 (No Myth / Half Harvest / Brave New World / This & That). ENTERTAINMENT TRACK: Hymn to Red October (from the motion picture “The Hunt for Red October”) STAFF PICKS: “Cuts You Up” by Peter Murphy — Bruce. “I Go to Extremes” by Billy Joel — Lynch. “Up All Night” by Slaughter — Wayne. “Baby, It's Tonight” by Jude Cole — Rob. COMEDY TRACK: “As Kosher As They Wanna Be” by 2 Live Jews. **(NOTE: What the Riff?!? does not own the rights to any of these songs and we neither sell, nor profit from them. We share them so you can learn about them and purchase them for your own collections.)
Most people are familiar with the actor, Sean Penn. His older brother, Michael Penn went in a more musical direction, becoming a singer, songwriter, and producer. His debut album, March, would achieve both critical and commercial success, peaking on the US album charts at number 31. This would be his most successful album commercially, though his follow-up albums were received positively by the critics.
Manhattan native Michael Penn was the first son of actor/director Leo Penn and actress Eileen Ryan. He began his musical journey in junior high school, and joined the Los Angeles band Doll Congress before embarking on a solo career. He appeared as a musical guest on Saturday Night Live in 1987 when his younger brother Sean was the host. He would garner attention, however in 1989 with his debut album, March. It would earn him the 1990 MTV Video Music Award for Best New Artist, and its first single "No Myth" would rise to number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Michael Penn would go on to marry singer-songwriter Aimee Mann (who fronted the new wave group 'Til Tuesday) in 1997. The couple are still together and living in Los Angeles.
Rob brings us this singer-songwriter because he has created interesting songs with clever lyrics, and his underrated status may indicate that our listeners haven't heard his music beyond his first single. We hope you enjoy this artist and perhaps discover some music from the late 80's that you haven't heard before - or haven't heard in a while.
No Myth
This is the first and most successful single from the album. It made it to number 5 on the Mainstream Rock charts and number 13 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is about a guy who is rejected by a girl even though he knows he could make her happy. “We said goodbye before hello, my secrets she will never know, and if I dig a hole to China I'll catch the first junk to Soho.”
Half Harvest
The second song on the album is an understated deeper cut that sounds like a break-up song, or a tune about faded romance. “So move out of your bed of roses, now. I'm putting in a bed of nails.”
Brave New World
This is a jangle pop, rockabilly song with great harmonies and fast-paced lyrics. It ends with a jazz jam and we feel it has a road trip feel in the lyrics as the singer drives into the brave new world.
This & That
This single hit number 10 on the Modern Rock charts, and also has a quick lyric cadence. “I'll do this and I'll do that, I'll be burning canyons for you. I'll do this and I'll do that and I will wait forever if you'll be there.”
ENTERTAINMENT TRACK:
Hymn to Red October (from the motion picture The Hunt for Red October)
Sean Connery takes the lead in the first of the Tom Clancy books to hit the big screen. The idea of a defecting Soviet sub was a compelling concept in the late 80's, well before the communist government fell apart.
STAFF PICKS:
Cuts You Up by Peter Murphy
Bruce's staff pick went to number 55 on the Billboard Hot 100, but dominated the then-new Billboard Alternative Songs chart, spending seven weeks at number 1 on that chart. Peter Murphy was the lead singer of the group Bauhaus, which gave us the song “Bela Lugosi's Dead.” Murphy and guitarist Paul Statham wrote this song which is about how the path of self-knowledge and discovery will ruin your assumptions, keeping you from getting arrogant.
I Go to Extremes by Billy Joel
Lynch reminds us that things tend to go awry when musician Billy Joel writes a song for his wife. Indeed Joel's relationship with Christie Brinkley would come to an end in 1994 after it inspired this song that was a single from his album Stormfront. The idea of this song is a recognition that Joel can be compared to a roller coaster of emotion.
Up All Night by Slaughter
Wayne brings us a hair band hit from the peak of “big hair.” Las Vegas, based Slaughter is named after vocalist and guitarist Mark Slaughter who formed the band in 1988 with bassist Dana Strum. The band is completed by guitarist Tim Kelly and drummer Blas Elias. The song is pretty much the anthem of the hair bands - up all night, sleep all day.
Baby, It's Tonight by Jude Cole
Rob finishes the staff picks with singer-songwriter, manager, and producer Jude Cole. He has a sound similar to John Waite, and started with the band Lifehouse. Cole also started a record label called Iron Works with actor Kiefer Sutherland. This song made it to number 16 on the Billboard Hot 100.
COMEDY TRACK:
As Kosher As They Wanna Be by 2 Live Jews
Oy Vey! I hope we don't get cancelled for this comedy track which was on the charts at the time.