Marshall Crenshaw is a hugely underrated singer and songwriter who has only hit the charts once. That moment came in 1982 with "Someday, Someway", which just barely broke into the top 40 at #36. The song's popularity was probably helped along by the fact that it was also on the soundtrack to the movie Night Shift. Crenshaw also tried his hand at acting. He was in the movie Peggy Sue Got Married and also played Buddy Holly in La Bamba. Crenshaw has been making excellent pop rock records ever since, but it amazes me that he didn't get more attention in the 80s. There are so many great tracks it is difficult to highlight only one. "Hold It" is one of the choice cuts from his second album, 1983's "Field Day". The album got to #52, but none of the singles landed in the Top 100.
Two voices, one smooth and one hoarse, make up the BoDeans, an all-American rock band that has been going strong since the 80s. Despite a lot of critical acclaim at the get-go, the band didn't score a major hit until their song, "Closer To Free", was chosen to be the theme for the hit TV show, "Party Of Five". "Closer To Free" would go on to be their only charting hit, landing at #16 in 1996. My favorite record by the band is 1989's "Home". Some of their most consistently good songwriting, a raw and live feel, and drumming by the great Kenny Aronoff (John Mellencamp's band) came together and made a masterpiece. Also, don't miss the backing vocals by Marshall Crenshaw on the song "Brand New". The anthem, "You Don't Get Much", is one of my favorite tracks from "Home". Hard to understand why this song didn't set radio on fire back in the day.
