This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Del Fuegos' "I Still Want You"

For a multitude of reasons, the '80s artists who were most successful at departing from typical musical trends of the decade (big drums, keyboards, saxophone and slick overproduction, for example) were the same ones who resided, often loosely, in an alternative scene that hadn't really been named yet. Boston's Del Fuegos definitely fit this description as a hypnotic roots rock band that was simply too unusual and challenging for broad radio airplay. Therefore, the group excelled within the college rock scene, building an avid cult following among music fans looking for something off the beaten path two decades ago.

"I Still Want You," which also happens to be the Del Fuegos' only charting song on the Billboard Hot 100 (earning a dim spotlight at No. 87 in 1986), serves as a solid showcase for the daring and musical precision of this fine band. Unfortunately, many listeners (including me, I must admit) probably spent the '80s unaware of the rich work of this group, waiting until Juliana Hatfield's "My Sister" in 1993 to even become inspired to find out who they were. Luckily, '80s music is always there, waiting for us to enter... waiting to enter us.

• Sample or download "I Still Want You" here.
• Compare prices on Del Fuegos CDs here.
• Roots Rock Genre Profile

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Rhino/Slash