Today we are gonna
look at how new wave branched out into the mainstream and internationally.
One of the first bands to do this was
The Cars. Formed in Boston, The Cars new wave style combined a 70's guitar rock
sound with a more 80's synth-driven pop sound.
All in all, they
combined the best bits of the past and present, and did it very well.
The Pretenders were another band who
had mainstream success with their brand of new wave. Their sound had a harder,
punkier edge to it than a lot of new wave. However, at other times they also
explored jangle pop.
Apart from a couple
of hits in the States, the band did better commercially in the UK, but were generally
hailed critically by both American and British critics.
The Police were
probably the most commercially successful new wave band, if you can call them
new wave. Technically they were, but they quickly transitioned into the classic
rock/stadium rock goldfish bowl by the time the 80's came along, and in turn
were subsequently hated by a lot of their music contemporaries.
But, in saying
that, their early material was very much influenced by reggae and punk and you
can certainly see this in tracks such as "Roxanne", "So
Lonely" and...this track.
New Wave wasn't
just a UK-US thing, it also went international, even reaching New Zealand.
Although they
formed before new wave, Split Enz quickly developed a quirky-pop sound that
combined with a very unique visual look.
Their style and
sound was eclectic and it was hard to really pin point them to a particular style,
but hey they fitted very well within new wave, because new wave as a movement
was eclectic also.
- Sam
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