“The Lost Boys: Hard-To-Find ’80s Albums” gives you exactly what the title implies: a rare or out-of-print album from the ’80s in its entirety. Some will be from CD, but most will have been lovingly transferred from pristine vinyl culled directly from the Analog Kid’s vast collection. Whatever album I choose, it will be one that you can’t easily find a physical copy for sale on Amazon or in your local record store (if you even have one anymore). Death…by stereo!
Gary Myrick is from my hometown of Dallas, and my first exposure to his music was on local rock stations Q102 and KZEW back in the early ’80s. “She Talks In Stereo” was in regular rotation on those album rock stations, even though many consider the song to be a new wave classic. The Zoo usually fed you a steady course of The Who and Foreigner, but “She Talks In Stereo” still sounded great sandwiched between “Another Tricky Day” and “Dirty White Boy.”
The entire Gary Myrick And The Figures LP is a fantastic mash-up of classic rock, power pop, and new wave. The album was released in 1980, so it makes perfect sense that Myrick incorporated all of these genres into his songs. Arena rock was never any bigger than it was in the early ’80s, and new wave/punk pioneers like Elvis Costello and Joe Jackson were receiving lots of attention (and airplay) as well. MTV was also right around the corner, and Gary Myrick And The Figures made an album of songs that were equally at home on rock radio, on television, or even in a classic new wave movie like Valley Girl.
After the success of “She Talks In Stereo,” Myrick scored again in 1983 with the MTV hit “Guitar, Talk, Love & Drums.” He spent the rest of the decade working as a studio musician, but he finally returned to the alternative music scene when he formed the band Havana 3 A.M. in the early ’90s. Once again, Myrick’s music was back on Dallas radio– but this time, it was on 94.5 The Edge in between tracks from James and Ned’s Atomic Dustbin. And you know what? It still sounded great.
Gary Myrick And The Figures: Gary Myrick And The Figures
Epic Records, 1980
Vinyl rip courtesy of the Analog Kid
1. “Living Disaster” (Gary Myrick)
2. “Ever Since The World Began” (Gary Myrick)
3. “She Talks In Stereo” (Gary Myrick)
4. “Model” (Gary Myrick)
5. “She’s So Teenage” (Gary Myrick)
6. “You” (Gary Myrick)
7. “The Party” (Gary Myrick)
8. “Meaningless” (Gary Myrick)
9. “Who’ll Be The Next In Line” (Ray Davies)
10. “Deep In The Heartland” (Gary Myrick)
_______________________________________________
Bonus Tracks!
The first rule of The Analog Kid blog is that if you write about a song on the Analog Kid blog, you share the song on the Analog Kid blog.
Gary Myrick: “Time To Win” (Gary Myrick)
From the CD More Music From The Soundtrack Valley Girl
Rhino Records, 1983
Gary Myrick: “Guitar, Talk, Love & Drums” (Gary Myrick)
From the album Language
Epic Records, 1983
Havana 3 A.M.: “Reach The Rock” (Gary Myrick/Nigel Dixon/Paul Simonon)
From the album Havana 3 A.M.
I.R.S. Records, 1991
Joe Jackson: “On The Radio” (Joe Jackson)
From the album I’m The Man
A&M Records, 1979
Elvis Costello & The Attractions: “Goon Squad” (Elvis Costello)
From the album Armed Forces
Columbia Records, 1979
The Who: “Another Tricky Day” (Pete Townshend)
From the album Face Dances
Warner Brothers Records, 1980
Foreigner: “Dirty White Boy” (Mick Jones)
From the album Head Games
Atlantic Records, 1989
Ned’s Atomic Dustbin: “Grey Cell Green” (Ned’s Atomic Dustbin)
From the album God Fodder
Columbia Records, 1991
James: “Sit Down” (James)
From the album James
Fontana Records, 1991
The Analog Kid 
searching for song title and artist most likely 1983. Heard on KZEW rock station. Lyrics include, but not necessarily in this order:
“Time is running out, time is slipping by. Have you forgotten how to laugh? It’s too easy to cry. Your much too serious for such a young man, but oh, what did you know, she was just a cashier handing out change, staying clear of the danger. You’ve got everything to lose, got everything to gain. I know that it’s hard to free yourself from the quicksands of your lies. Tell me what are your alternatives, there is no compromise”
http://www.allreadable.com/122fHG4S
Just discovered your blog tonight, already sent links to a number of friends, including one who is geeking out at some of the stuff you’ve got posted. Just came across this post AND YOU MENTIONED KZEW!!!! I lived in Azle as a little kid, moved away age 7, but my mom used to listen to that station all the time. Other kids knew nursery rhymes, I knew Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Van Halen, The Beatles, Jethro Tull, The Rolling Stones, The WHo… I can still remember the sound that was a mix of lion roar, elephant trumpet and a few other animals mixed in. From the time I was little, listening to that station, I wanted to be in radio. I was for about 10 years after high school.
Love the blog, still have quite a way to go, and won’t get through it all tonight, but glad I discovered it.
Appreciate the kind words– glad that you and your friends are enjoying the blog!
Love this Gary Myrick & The Figures album… but do you know what is equally good and much harder to come by? The re-release on CD by Wounded Bird that includes almost the whole album again played live around the time of release. Thanks again for the Myrick!
I have a copy of the LP, bought in 1980 at the band’s appearance on lower Greenville Avenue, I think, at the club “Tango”. It was an LP release party and I had gone to school with Gary Myrick’s step-sister, so I got an invite. It’s a fun LP and my copy is in almost pristine condition. Woo-hoo!!! Can’t say the same thing about the black leather pants I wore that night.