Maybe it's the hair. A Flock of Seagulls might have been diminished somewhat in the public eye, at least in the long-term sense, by how vocalist and band leader Mike Score wore his hair. Nearly 50 years old, it's still a unique look.
But that somewhat overshadowed a sound that was also unique. A Flock of Seagulls made some quality gems and terrific albums. The band shouldn't be easily dismissed.
Score is the only remaining member of the original band, but that makes sense. He is the voice and words behind some of the best music of the early 1980s. That includes the tracks that follow.
Four brilliant songs by A Flock of Seagulls
"Transfer Affection" - Listen (1983)
This is something we all have to go through. One relationship ends, and maybe a new one begins shortly thereafter. What do we do with the feelings we once had? It might be unfair to move them from one person to a completely different one.
And yet that is exactly what the song addresses in a propulsive and bittersweet way. The melody is simple enough, but that is fitting given the lyrical question it is asking.
"Space Age Love Song" - Debut album (1982)
This track is a perfect example of what makes some elite New Wave bands so sneaky great. One might associate the subgenre with keyboard-heavy music, but that isn't truly the case. Bands like Flock of Seagulls and Duran Duran are actual bands, not something cooked up in a studio.
While this song begins with a plastic feel, a few seconds in, we are met with guitars and the rhythm section. And as far as the subject goes, this isn't about space, but about meeting someone's gaze across a crowded room.
"Wishing (If I Had a Photograph of You)" - Listen (1983)
No secret about this one. Mike Score was leaving to go on tour, met a girl, and wanted a photo of her to take with him. She refused, but not because she thought he was creepy; she just assumed Score would forget her amid the chaos of a tour.
What makes this track work is the epic keyboards from the very beginning of the tune. Even if there were no words, the sonic brilliance of the track is worth listening to. The lyrics just give everything more weight.
Bonus track: "Remember David" - The Story of a Young Heart (1984)
Like the album this song comes from, the subject is bleak. If anyone thought New Wave bands only produced fluffy tunes about love or space, this LP will change their minds. Specifically, The Story of a Young Heart deals with loss and suicide, which might be why it led to a lot of fans looking for other bands to follow.
The issue is that Mike Score and his band dealt with everything in a brilliantly musical way. The songs are top-40 material, but that wasn't the point. The tracks are full of real hurt, and the direness of it all is poignant.
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