1983

It’s a short release at just over half an hour, yet it’s a classic example of a snapshot in time where nobody knew what was going to happen in both the short and long term future. Stockton, California’s Torn Boys never released anything formally during their short life, so 1983 pulls together studio cuts, a live concert snippet and two songs from a local college radio session, and the result’s an immediately engaging treat, of its time but at the same time interviewing various unexpected undercurrents. Founding members and general underground art fiends Jeffrey Clark and Kelly Foley had an ear for the dreamier side of early 80s indie rock harmonies as well as various Paisley Underground efforts from their home state, while Duncan Atkinson added drum machine and keyboard tech and later teenage recruit Grant Lee Phillips, soon to form Shiva Burlesque with Clark, brought on more guitar. Their evident and freely admitted love of sounds like Television’s intricate guitar interplay is apparent enough on songs like “Mystery” and “Lady Luck,” while a cover of the classic “Mack the Knife” has its own spooky groove going.