For this week’s “120 Minutes” Rewind, we spotlight another “120 X-Ray” segment, this time a 1987 clip featuring host Kevin Seal discussing the 4AD label’s compilation album Lonely Is An Eyesore, which featured tracks from Cocteau Twins, Throwing Muses, Clan of Xymox, Dead Can Dance, This Mortal Coil and more.
Seal calls it “a concept compilation album without a concept — and if that doesn’t sound right, then maybe you’re judging it with an outmoded musical morality.” Or something.
PREVIOUSLY ON SLICING UP EYEBALLS
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: 120 X-Ray on Siouxsie & The Banshees with host Kevin Seal — 1988
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Dave Kendall bumps into future host Matt Pinfield — Sept. 22, 1991
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Lou Reed hosts early episode, interviews Suzanne Vega — 1986
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Downtown Julie Brown spotlights The Lucy Show — Jan. 25, 1987
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Original MTV VJ Alan Hunter hosts early episode — Sept. 28, 1986
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: The The’s Matt Johnson talks to Kevin Seal — June 11, 1989
- ‘120 Minutes’ Rewind: Sonic Youth in studio with Dave Kendall — summer 1990
I remember this episode; it got me hooked on 4ad. They played most of the videos from the comp, and at least a few of the clips–Xymox, Wolfgang Press, Throwing Muses, Cocteau Twins–crept into the regular 120 rotation. Man, the days when MTV could introduce someone to exciting new music…
And FWIW, I’ll bet twenty bucks Seal was supposed to say ‘modality’ rather than ‘morality’.
I lost my virginity to that album.
I still have one of the boxed sets of this… one of my most treasured possessions.
This album made a huge impact on me when it was released. A dark album that matched my outlook on life. Bliss!
Sure was cool back when records like this were being made and released. I’d be hard pressed to think of anything this cool lately.
This is one of my favorite compilations!!!