Ten Late Career Albums That Were Overlooked but Carry on the Band’s Legacy

Simple Minds? “Don’t You Forget About Me.” New Order? “Blue Monday.” The Pretenders? “Brass in Pocket.” Are these the first songs you think of? Did you know that all three bands released new albums recently? Yes, they are still around and not just on the nostalgic tour caravan. They join other noteworthy bands, whose heyday may have been the 70s, 80s, or 90s, that delivered shining new music in the 2010s and early 2020s. Let’s take a look at 10:

The Cars: Move Like This

The 7th and final album by the Cars was released in 2011, 24 years after the previous album, Door to Door. Their first and only album without founding member Benjamin Orr who died of cancer in 2000. It may not have a classic Cars hit, but the album is solid all the way through. Upon the death of singer/songwriter Ric Ocasek in 2019, it became clear that this would be the last we’d hear from the unique band from Boston. The band’s appealing blend of minimalist punk and synth-pop rock continued to the end. Take a listen to “Sad Song,” written to honor Orr.

The Cure: 4:13

I can’t believe that this is the latest album from the Cure. They had two albums – one very dark and the other lighter in sprit – almost finished two years ago. Still nothing. But since we’re dealing with the perfectionist Robert Smith, maybe it’s not that big a surprise. 4:13 sounds like the old Cure because in part it is. Several songs are recycled demos from earlier sessions, including “Sleep When I’m Dead” from 1985’s The Head on the Door. Although, there are some grand melancholy moments, overall, the album is happy and uplifting (for the Cure), such as the following:

The Fixx: Beautiful Friction

Another example of how difficult it is to remain relevant as musical trends change. This is a good album, but was hardly noticed. (When I last saw the Fixx in a small club in December, 2012 they were in the middle of playing a few of these new songs when the inevitable drunk dude shouts out, “One Thing Leads to Another.”) There’s a hard rockin’ song “Take a Risk,” several mid-tempo beauties, such as the title song, and delicate guitar, all anchored by Cy Curnin’s voice. Here’s “Second Time Around:”

Jane’s Addiction: The Great Escape Artist

Only the 4th and latest album by Jane’s Addiction, released in 2011. I really like this, but it doesn’t seem to have gone over too well. It may lack some of the funk and freak of their first two albums, but the band rocks and Perry Farrell’s still got the snarl. More like the third album, Strays. All good songs; no offbeat fillers. The Great Escape Artist is simpler, melodic, and consistent rock n’ roll. Have a taste here:

New Order: Music Complete

The 10th and latest album released by New Order in 2015. The first song, “Singularity,” is almost Joy Division-like. Other numbers clearly indicate that they’ve found the dance floor again. They still provide pensive songs, as well. It’s more electronic than its two guitar-laden album predecessors. Bassist Peter Hook, such an integral part of their sound since the beginning, is missed. They make up for it with a bright, diverse, and dependable album. Here’s “Academic” to show you they haven’t forgotten about the guitar:

Pretenders: Hate for Sale

The Pretenders released their 11th and latest album in 2020. Chrissie Hynde welcomed back fellow band founder, drummer Martin Chambers. (Original guitarist James Honeymoon Scott died in 1982 and original bass player Pete Farndon died in 1983.) Similar to some of the other albums on this list, Hate for Sale is a stripped down collection of songs. It touches on different musical styles (Reggae, R&B) while sounding like the Pretenders you remember. Take a listen to the title song:

Simple Minds: Walk Between Worlds

I really liked these guys in their 80s peak with New Gold Dream (81/82/83/84), Sparkle in the Rain, and Once Upon a Time. Like many people I discovered them with these albums only to find out later that they had five albums before these three standouts and 10 afterwards! Walk Between Worlds is their 18th album…and it’s a good one. Harking back to vinyl, the album has two distinct sides; the first similar to their 80s sound and side two more atmospheric, orchestrated, and dramatic. I prefer side one, so this is “Magic.”

Smashing Pumpkins: Cyr

This is the 11th Smashing Pumpkins album, released in 2020. I’ve stuck with these guys over the years despite diminishing returns. The album is too long at 70 minutes, but more importantly, it sounds the same. Monotonous. No bad songs really, just a lot of decent mid-tempo numbers. The album starts off pretty good with “The Colour of Love.” (Revisit Mellon Collie and the Infinite Sadness to feast on the full spectrum of the band.)

The Who: Who

I highlighted this one earlier (See Music post, “Bands That Took 20 Years (or more) Between Albums – Part 5 The Who).” This surprise album came out in 2019, 13 years after Endless Wire and 24 years after It’s Hard. The first single and song on the album, “All This Music Must Fade” was a rousing welcome back. The second song and single, “Ball and Chain,” is a bluesy stomp about Guantanamo Bay. After that it’s hit or miss, but you’ve got to appreciate two 75-year-olds still adding to their musical legacy after over 50 years together.

X: Alphabetland

Alphabetland, the 2020 album from X, after a break of 27 years, is a full-throttle return for the seminal L.A. punk band. (This album was also highlighted earlier as Part One of same series noted above with the Who.) Talk about tight; it’s 27 minutes in length with one song over three minutes and that’s 3:04. They downshift for the last song. Up until then, it’s a scorching progression of songs that doesn’t let you come up for air.