Men Without Hats - Folk Of The 80s
Review by Ben Brandon
Men Without Hats' "Folk of the 80s" is a unique and captivating album that blends new wave and folk music to create a sound that is both nostalgic and modern. The band's signature quirky lyrics and upbeat melodies are present throughout the album, but are enhanced by the use of traditional folk instruments such as the banjo and mandolin.
The album opens with the track "Banjo Boy," a catchy tune that sets the tone for the rest of the album. Other standout tracks include "The Safety Dance," which has become a classic 80s hit, and "Pop Goes the World," which features a memorable chorus and infectious beat.
One of the strengths of "Folk of the 80s" is the diversity of the tracks. Each song has its own distinct sound and feel, ranging from the upbeat and danceable "Antarctica" to the slower and more introspective "L'ile de la Cité." The album also includes a cover of the traditional folk song "O Canada," which showcases the band's ability to put their own spin on classic tunes.
Table of Contents
Download
Filename: men-without-hats-folk-of-the-80s.rar- MP3 size: 30.4 mb
- FLAC size: 146 mb
Tracks
| Track | Duration | Preview |
|---|---|---|
| Utter Space | 2:43 | |
| Modern(e) Dancing | 4:12 | |
| Antarctica | 4:28 | |
| Security (Everybody Feels Better With) | 3:56 |
Video
Men Without Hats - Antractica
Men Without Hats - Folk Of The 80's - 02-Modern Dancing
Men Without Hats - Folk Of The 80's - 03-Utter Space
Images
Catalog Numbers
- hats-001
- TEES-12-01, Tees 12-01
Labels
- H.A.T.S. Inc.
- Stiff Records
Listen online
- lytte på nettet
- écouter en ligne
- ouvir online
- kuunnella verkossa
- ascolta in linea
- lyssna på nätet
- escuchar en línea
- online anhören
- online luisteren
Formats
- Vinyl
- 10"
- EP
- 33 ⅓ RPM
- 12"
Credits
| Role | Credit |
|---|---|
| Bass | Stefan Doroschuk |
| Drums | Jeremie Arrobas |
| Electronics | Jeremie Arrobas |
| Backing Vocals | Lysanne Thibodeau |
| Engineer | André Perrault |
| Guitar | Roman Martyn |
| Producer | Marc Durand |
| Vocals | Ivan |
| Voice | Ivan |
| Written-by | Ivan |
Notes
- Self released through H.A.T.S. Inc. (their own label for just this release)
- Recorded during the Summer of '80 at Studio A, Montreal.
- Distributed by Trend Records & Tapes, Canada. However, the record and sleeve were actually pressed in the U.S.
- Tracy Howe is credited on the back of the sleeve (guitars) but did not really play on this record. Quote from MWH's official website regarding this release:
- 'This EP was recorded at Marco Studio in Old Montreal and its original pressing was of 3000 copies in 10 inch form (I think that there might have been a second pressing of 3000). It was subsequently picked up by Stiff Records (US) and a further 16,000 records were pressed for the US market. The only difference between the two pressings is that the US pressing was a 12" record. ... Tracy Howe also never played on this or any other MWH album. The folks who have this on their album means that they have a second pressing copy because Tracy's name was added because he had just joined the band!'
- Recorded during the Summer of '80 at Studio A, Montreal
- All songs © 1980 Hats Publishing
- (SDE/PRO) ® 1980 Stiff Records
- Made in U.S.A.
- © ℗ 1980 Stiff Records.
Barcodes
- Matrix / Runout (Side A): HAT - 001 - A STERLING
- Matrix / Runout (Side B): HAT - 001 - B STERLING
About Men Without Hats
Canadian new wave group from Montréal, Québec, formed in 1980 and initially active until 1993. They reformed in 2010.
Current lineup:
Ivan Doroschuk (Lead vocals)
Sho Murray (guitar 2016-present)
Louise Dawson (keys 2010-present)
Rachel Ashmore (keys 2012-present)
Adrian White (drums 2018-present)
Colin Doroschuk (Electronics, Voices; 1981-1984, Keys 1989-1993, 2018-present)
Past members:
Stefan Doroschuk (Guitar 1980-1989, Bass 1989-1993)
Roman Martyn (Guitars; 1980)
Tracy Howe (Guitars; on "Freeways" 1980 only)
Alan McCarthy (Electronics, Percussion; 1981-1984)
Jeremie Arrobas (Drums 1980-1981)
Lysanne Thibodeau (Backing Vocals, Electronics; 1980)
Lenny Pinkas (Keys 1984-1989)
Marika Tjelios (Bass 1986-1989)
Heidi Garcia (Keys 1986-1989)
Richard Samson (Bonhomme) (Drums 1986-1989)
Michel Langevin (Away) (Drums 1989-1993)
Felix Matte (Guitar 1989-1992)
John Kastner (Guitar 1989-1992)
Denis D'Amour (Piggy) (Guitar 1992-1993)
James Love (Guitar 2010-2016)
Mark Olexson (Keys 2010-2012)
Name Vars
- Hombres Sin Sombrero
- M.W.H.
- MWH
- Man Without Hats
- Med Without Hats
- Men With Out Hats
- Will The Power
- áóû¦£º¢¦ÈûÏÃÄ
Aliases
- New Within
Members
- John Kastner
- Michel Langevin
- Colin Doroschuk
- Lenny Pinkas
- James Love
- Alan McCarthy
- Stefan Doroschuk
- Ivan Doroschuk
- Tracy Howe
- Roman Martyn
- Félix Matte
- Jeremie Arrobas
- Lysanne Thibodeau
- Sho Murray
- Rachel Ashmore
- Lou Dawson
Summary by Ben Brandon
Comments
The punk rock aesthetic applied to synths.Unless you were from Canada (and more likely Quebec), you had no idea who Men Without Hats were when this EP was released. The entire planet discovered them with "Safety Dance", but this little gem introduced some of us to their brilliance (in their early years, anyway). All four songs are amazing, and they definitely hint at the music MWH would create on Rhythm of Youth and Folk of the 80s (Pt. III): short, catchy pop/punk songs with synth melodies, synth bass lines and rhythm guitar. They actually had a real drummer on these tracks, which makes the songs sound a bit more indie/DIY than their later work. You can definitely hear their punk roots on "Antarctica", especially with Ivan's cool vocal hooks.Most people remember Men Without Hats for one song only, but those of us who were fans of their early albums understand there was way more to them than the "one hit wonder" descriptions they were given. This amazing EP is testament to this, and the songs would definitely surprise those who are only familiar with "Safety Dance".These songs would later be part of the Freeways EP they released in 1985, along with the excellent single "Freeways", but If you can get your hands on this 10", grab it.
anartica keyboards is jammin here....go head men without hats!!!!!!
Great song! I used to hear it at Hotbods in Phoenix back in 1981
Good songs, but where is Antarctica??
Muito bom chou de bola isso quê é curtir
Men Without Hats Folk Of The 80's
ivan masterpiece!!
From Montreal!
beautiful dreamy music ....i have been a fan for many years
I like
111122222333
Quite possibly my favourite MWH song......up there with Where Do The Boys Go?
This is such a great tune! Wish they had an extended version of this. Those analogue synths are so dreamy
Antractica, Antractica
Buena rola
Is this song about being on a bad coke binge? Because that's what I imagine listening to the lyrics lmao
if you dont like this song you are poser.
antarctica. a flat earth round earth debate
Best crane http://www.alamedamagazine.com/January-2019/Sculptor-Andrew-Miguel-Fuller-Creates-Figurative-and-Nonfigurative-Art/
Es uno de mis temas de colección.. Yeaht. . Antártica ...Atte : Kevin Idol Sifuentes Andrade.. Perú ..
I used to dance this like hell. Sweating buckets. Weaking up the next day and my clothes soaking wet.
Fantastic!
Is this the Folk Of The 80s version or the Rhythm Of Youth version?
KROQ 106.5 FM in LAS back in the 80's, played this every day, what a classic, I miss that time.
remembering produce in concert at studio 1 ste catherine street in montreal in the 80 s, always good to ear ,the punk time .
One of my favorites for sure.Thank You
ti tu ti tu ti tu ti tu :V
Debo
Good ol Side-B Song of the "Safty Dance" 12-Inch
