Welcome Back	 cover

Welcome Back

Released

Plastics were Japan’s answer to the B-52s – which means they were even weirder. This swansong consisted of re-recordings of songs from their first two albums for the US market. Not only does it act as a de facto greatest hits, there’s actual historical value here: it uses the first Roland TR-808 drum machine ever built. The off-kilter beats certainly help add to the quirkiness of songs like the gleefully obscene “Cards” and teenage spy theme “Top-Secret Man.” As do the words, which come in Japanese, English, and French. David Byrne and Devo were big fans, to the surprise of no one.

Jeff Treppel

Suggestions
A Flock of Seagulls cover

A Flock of Seagulls

A Flock of Seagulls
Doggod cover

Doggod

L.A. Witch
Rattus Norvegicus cover

Rattus Norvegicus

The Stranglers
Replicas cover

Replicas

Gary Numan, Tubeway Army
Spring Session M cover

Spring Session M

Missing Persons
Kim Wilde cover

Kim Wilde

Kim Wilde
Metamatic cover

Metamatic

John Foxx
Shakin’ Street cover

Shakin’ Street

Shakin' Street
Killing Joke cover

Killing Joke

Killing Joke