4 Rare 80s Albums [part 121] Aor, New Wave -

Should we dive deeper into the of the S.D.I. album, or

Before they achieved minor mainstream success later in the decade, Figures on a Beach released Swimming , an album that perfectly encapsulates the "Detroit New Wave" scene. It is darker and more experimental than your standard radio fare. There’s a distinct post-punk grit beneath the melodic synth lines, making it feel more urgent and "street" than the polished AOR coming out of Los Angeles at the time. It’s atmospheric, slightly paranoid, and brilliantly composed. 4 Rare 80s Albums [Part 121] AOR, New Wave

These four records represent a time when the boundaries between "rock" and "electronic" were blurring into something entirely new. They may have missed the charts, but they haven't lost their spark. Should we dive deeper into the of the S

2. Strategic Defense Initiative (S.D.I.) – Mistakes (1986) There’s a distinct post-punk grit beneath the melodic

While many AOR bands of the early 80s were trying to sound like Journey, the New York-based took a leaner, more rhythmic approach. Their self-titled debut is a masterclass in "Power Pop-tinged AOR." Tracks like "How Does It Feel" offer the big choruses you’d expect from the era, but the guitar work is punchier and less indulgent than their arena-rock peers. It’s an album that feels like a sunset drive in a convertible—sleek, melodic, and perfectly paced.