Album: The Golden Age of Wireless by Thomas Dolby (1982)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Album

Description: Talk to anyone who was the right age in the early '80s for both pop radio and the dawn of MTV, and "She Blinded Me with Science" will inevitably come up. The most famous song from the reissued version of the album, it's a defiantly quirky, strange number that mixes its pop hooks with unusual keyboard melodies pitched very low and a recurrent spoken word interjection ("Science!") from guest vocalist/video star Magnus Pike. To Thomas Dolby's credit, the rest of the album isn't simply that song over and over again, making The Golden Age of Wireless an intriguing and often very entertaining curio from the glory days of synth pop. Part of the album's overall appeal is the range of participating musicians, no doubt thanks in part to Dolby's own considerable range of musical work elsewhere. "She Blinded Me with Science" itself features Kevin Armstrong on guitar, Matthew Seligman on bass, mega-producer Robert "Mutt" Lange on backing vocals, and co-production with Tim Friese-Greene. Elsewhere, Andy Partridge contributes harmonica, Mute Records founding genius Daniel Miller adds keyboards, and Lene Lovich adds some vocals of her own. The overall result is still first and foremost Dolby's, with echoes of David Bowie's and Bryan Ferry's elegantly wasted late-'70s personas setting the stage. If anything, The Golden Age of Wireless is the friendlier, peppier flip side of fellow Bowie obsessive Gary Numan's work, where the melancholy is gentle instead of harrowing. Dolby's melodies are sprightly without being annoyingly perky, his singing warm, and his overall performance a pleasant gem. Especially fine numbers include the amusing romp "Europa and the Pirate Twins" and the nostalgia-touched, just mysterious enough "One of Our Submarines." 

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 1980s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 9. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Talk to anyone who was the right age in the early '80s for both pop radio and the dawn of MTV, and "She Blinded Me with Science" will inevitably come up. The most famous song from the reissued version of the album, it's a defiantly quirky, strange number that mixes its pop hooks with unusual keyboard melodies pitched very low and a recurrent spoken word interjection ("Science!") from guest vocalist/video star Magnus Pike. To Thomas Dolby's credit, the rest of the album isn't simply that song over and over again, making The Golden Age of Wireless an intriguing and often very entertaining curio from the glory days of synth pop. Part of the album's overall appeal is the range of participating musicians, no doubt thanks in part to Dolby's own considerable range of musical work elsewhere. "She Blinded Me with Science" itself features Kevin Armstrong on guitar, Matthew Seligman on bass, mega-producer Robert "Mutt" Lange on backing vocals, and co-production with Tim Friese-Greene. Elsewhere, Andy Partridge contributes harmonica, Mute Records founding genius Daniel Miller adds keyboards, and Lene Lovich adds some vocals of her own. The overall result is still first and foremost Dolby's, with echoes of David Bowie's and Bryan Ferry's elegantly wasted late-'70s personas setting the stage. If anything, The Golden Age of Wireless is the friendlier, peppier flip side of fellow Bowie obsessive Gary Numan's work, where the melancholy is gentle instead of harrowing. Dolby's melodies are sprightly without being annoyingly perky, his singing warm, and his overall performance a pleasant gem. Especially fine numbers include the amusing romp "Europa and the Pirate Twins" and the nostalgia-touched, just mysterious enough "One of Our Submarines." 

The Flat Earth" presents a vibrant fusion of New Wave rock and pop, characterized by its polished production and eclectic instrumentation. The album features a blend of synthesizers and traditional rock elements, creating a rich sonic tapestry that oscillates between upbeat tracks like "Hyperactive!" and more introspective pieces such as "I Scare Myself." The tempos vary, with energetic rhythms driving the danceable tracks while slower songs evoke a contemplative mood. Textures range from the lush, atmospheric layers in "Mulu the Rain Forest" to the sharp, punchy sounds in "Dissidents." This dynamic interplay of sounds and styles makes the album distinctive, showcasing a unique approach to the genre.

Album: The Flat Earth by Thomas Dolby (1984)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Album

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 1980s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 7. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Album: A Map of the Floating City by Thomas Dolby (2011)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Album

Description: A Map of the Floating City is the fifth studio album by English new wave/synth-pop musician Thomas Dolby, released on 24 October 2011. It was Dolby's first full-length studio album since 1992's Astronauts & Heretics and his last to date.

Description Accreditation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Map_of_the_Floating_City

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 2010s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


A Map of the Floating City is the fifth studio album by English new wave/synth-pop musician Thomas Dolby, released on 24 October 2011. It was Dolby's first full-length studio album since 1992's Astronauts & Heretics and his last to date.

Description Accreditation: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Map_of_the_Floating_City

Album: Astronauts & Heretics by Thomas Dolby (1992)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Album

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 1990s, Album

Additional Context: Available on Discogs marketplace


Album: The Singular Thomas Dolby by Thomas Dolby (2009)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2000s, Compilation


Aliens Ate My Buick" is a vibrant fusion of rock and pop, characterized by its eclectic new wave sound. The album features punchy synthesizers and layered electronic textures that create a playful yet polished sonic landscape. Tracks like "The Key to Her Ferrari" and "Airhead" showcase upbeat tempos and infectious hooks, while the production maintains a crisp clarity, allowing each instrument to shine. The use of quirky sound effects and rhythmic experimentation adds a distinctive flair, particularly in songs like "Pulp Culture" and "Budapest by Blimp." Overall, the album balances energetic grooves with whimsical lyrical themes, making it a standout in the late '80s music scene.

Album: Aliens Ate My Buick by Thomas Dolby (1988)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Album

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 1980s, Album

Additional Context: Rating score: 8. Based on 1 votes. Available on Discogs marketplace


Album: Hyperactive by Thomas Dolby (1998)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 1990s, Compilation


Album: Hyperactive! by Thomas Dolby (1999)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 1990s, Compilation


Album: Forty by Thomas Dolby (2001)
Format: Live

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 2000s, Live


Album: Premium Gold Collection by Thomas Dolby (1997)
Format: Compilation

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: 1990s, Compilation


Album: The Best of Thomas Dolby: Retrospectacle by Thomas Dolby (1994)
Genre: New Wave | Style: Rock/Pop
Format: Compilation

Description: After what had seemed like a promising start with "She Blinded Me With Science" in 1983, Thomas Dolby only charted with two other singles in the U.S. (though he had nine chart singles in his native U.K., 1981-1992). This 16-track compilation, embracing both his Capitol/EMI and Warner Bros. recordings, demonstrates that Dolby deserved better. His synthesizer-based songs are consistently catchy and clever, and especially notable are early songs like "Urges" and "Leipzig" that have not previously appeared on a U.S. album. "One of Our Submarines," Dolby's cover of Dan Hicks' "I Scare Myself," and "Hyperactive!" all hold up well. Some of the later (non-hit) material from the albums Aliens Ate My Buick and Astronauts & Heretics is less impressive; a better choice could have been made from those records. But for the most part, this is an efficient collection that justifies its name.

Artist Background: Thomas Dolby (born Thomas Morgan Robertson; 14 October 1958) is an English musician and producer. Best known for his 1982 hit "She Blinded Me with Science", and 1984 single "Hyperactive!" he has also worked extensively in production and as a session musician. Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Music Scene: Part of the London, England music scene. Associated with New Wave movement. Known for Rock/Pop style.

Tags: New Wave, Rock/Pop, 1990s, Compilation


After what had seemed like a promising start with "She Blinded Me With Science" in 1983, Thomas Dolby only charted with two other singles in the U.S. (though he had nine chart singles in his native U.K., 1981-1992). This 16-track compilation, embracing both his Capitol/EMI and Warner Bros. recordings, demonstrates that Dolby deserved better. His synthesizer-based songs are consistently catchy and clever, and especially notable are early songs like "Urges" and "Leipzig" that have not previously appeared on a U.S. album. "One of Our Submarines," Dolby's cover of Dan Hicks' "I Scare Myself," and "Hyperactive!" all hold up well. Some of the later (non-hit) material from the albums Aliens Ate My Buick and Astronauts & Heretics is less impressive; a better choice could have been made from those records. But for the most part, this is an efficient collection that justifies its name.

Thomas Dolby

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