In 1981, Cyndi Lauper was unknown, singing in clubs with her band, and Madonna? Madonna was eating fistfuls of popcorn for dinner in somebody's basement. Tina Turner was hitting rockbottom just before she began work on her comeback Private Dancer album. But we had the original female rockstar, with her sex appeal, talented vocals, strong songwriting, and lively personality-- Debbie Harry, who had, at the time, left Blondie for a time to record KooKoo.

I find it a crime that KooKoo did not do better on the charts and was more or less forgotten about come New Year's Day 1982. For her first solo record, the incredible Debbie Harry worked with Nile Rogers from Chic, who would go on to produce records for Madonna. The result of the two was an incredibly funky pop album with the bite of Ms. Harry-- she literally barks on the album's opening track. This album I like to describe as the definitiong of 1985, which was, in all reality, its downfall. It was ahead of time. The album art, depicting Debbie with iron rods pierecing her face, is so mid-80s science fiction film that Lucas himself would be proud. The sound on this album is very parking lot-- that is to say, I'd expect to hear it at a diner on the jukebox, blasting so loud that I could dance to it near to my car.

The album opens with Jump Jump, an infectious track that not only makes the body move, but makes the ears very, very happy. The verses are fun and clever, and the chorus is hot and demanding: "Do it for a kiss: JUMP! JUMP!" she exclaims, in the way that only she can. The album title is here on out deamed very appropiate, because the cuts on this record will prove just how kookoo Ms. Harry is.

We've got the somewhat successful single Backfired, which is one of the greatest songs Debbie has ever recorded. Kin to Blondie's Rapture (except a lot more funky), Backfired is an all around awesome song with a piercing attitude of the diva Ms. Harry, as she rips an awful suitor to shreads, bluntly singing "Man, your plan BACKFIRED-- in your face." No remorse, no nothing. Contiuning with the amazingly dark-funk atmosphere, the music is inspired and the lyrics are fun (if not a little funny as well.)

The one song from this album that is regarded as a "hit" would be The Jam Was Moving, which is one of the best songs off of KooKoo. It mixes a 1950s feel with 1980s music with that brand of strange Debbie-funk that makes for a great listening experience. Other great tracks include Chrome, a pop rock song not unlike the work she's done with Blondie, the campy Military Rap, and the fun rock-funk cut Surrender.

I think that Debbie Harry's solo work gets a really bad rap for no reason-- her music is solid and inventive. There will never be another KooKoo and there will never be another Debbie Harry.

While I don't think that KooKoo is as strong as her sophomore album Rockbird, it's still a very creative album that, because it was released in the wrong part of the 1980s, was massively overlooked. It's a tragedy that this album is out of print now. If you can, get a copy-- get a vinyl copy, get a digital copy, just make sure you hear it. If you wanna hear where future pop music came from, check out Debbie Harry, solo or otherwise.

Tracklist
Jump Jump
The Jam Was Moving
Chrome
Surrender
Inner City Spillover
Backfired
Now I know You Know
Under Arrest
Military Rap
Oasis

For more reviews like this, head on over to:
www.inyourspeakers.com

Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Driving