bleeding edge experimentation or blinkered bullshit ???

[Steven West]

Bad example Jax - Big Science is nothing more than a 'Greatest Hits' thrown together after the surprising success of O' Superman. It's a well done record, don't get me wrong! But definately Warner Bros. was HOT for the new trend of 'New Wave' and was putting Laurie up to the likes of Lene Lovich, Nina Hagan, etc. Just look at the cover of 'Big Science' - and that could be any one of those chicks in a white suit and white glasses. So thankfully Laurie had the smarts and material to put out a fairly good 'debut' for herself quickly to prove to her NY buddies atleast she was more than capable. And thankfully she had enough support inside and outside of Warner Bros. to let her ideas roam the way she wanted to. But if she listened to any 'image consultant' or 'marketing director' for too long at WB - it could've wound up SO differently. But I have to hand it to WB, either out of 'artistic appreciation', or 'lets hope these kids know what they're doing, and we'll cash in on their landmarks'
It worked. Sure, early PIL was solely because of one John 'Rotten' Lydon - and it was knackered BS for the most part. But comes Flowers Of Romance - WOW!
But look at Devo, PIL, Kraftwerk, and even Laurie Anderson herself... Burned out by 'knackered commercialism' after their 'stunning landmarks'.
WB's fault? Did all these people feel their previous 'experimentations' were nothing but tripe, and wanted to suck the HIT stick at WB's expense?
They definately ALL took that 'step beyond' and never recovered. Except for Madness, they got 'Our House' years later atleast.

When I first heard and saw 'O Superman' - I truely thought it was knackered BS. What saved Laurie? She was cute is all. And after looking at Pat Benetar's Bugs Bunny looks all day screaming and shaking at me. Laurie was the quiet bookworm that knew which beeker would make the other beeker ignite. But definately O Superman had 'Look how bright, avant guarde I am' stamped on it in bold red ink! She was damn lucky is all. (And so was WB for chancing her!)