The Wild Birds of Peter Murphy

I knew of this artist from friends in the 80s that were into alternative music. Sadly this artist never broke through as a big mainstream artist. Too bad because while the music is 80s, it’s not as plastic as many bands and singers were. I think of "Indigo Eyes." 

Murphy started his career as the lead vocals for a band called Bauhaus. They were more known in America for a name than any song that stands out. The band broke up and part of the band would form the  Love and Rockets. It took a few albums of good music before they would have a mainstream Top 10 song called “So Alive.” Love and Rockets would continue well into the 1990s. 

Murphy went solo. He broke out on alternative charts with a great song called “Indigo Eyes.” Murphy would have big name albums in the alternative charts, but he never got the mainstream success that Love and Rockets got. Around 1990 he had great songs like "Cuts You Up." It was pop, had double track voices, and a long fade out to sing along to. His 1992 album, "Holy Smoke" had "The Scarlett Thing in You." Again why didn't this hit big? 

Murphy was prolific and the songs were well crafted. 

If you get the chance, his greatest hits compilation, "Wild Birds" shows all of Murphy’s strengths, great songwriting, pop melodies, and a deep bass voice that resonates into your brain.