This Week's Forgotten Gem of the '80s - the Bats' "Not Easy for Me"

During the last two decades, multi-instrumentalist and songwriter Jon Brion has cemented a reputation for himself as something of a pop music genius. However, back in 1982 a youthful Brion suffered a fate similar to the one that obscured so many other unique power pop outfits of the early '80s (consider the dBs for comparison's sake). His band, the Bats, generated plenty of critical acclaim with its only release that same year, How Pop Can You Get?, but even a hearty plug from Billboard magazine could not get record buyers to take notice in significant numbers.

But never fear, music aficionados, as one of the most favorable ripples created by the Internet age is the increased availability of formerly out-of-print vinyl records. "Not Easy for Me" trades in some of the Bats' more quirky aspects but sacrifices little in the way of pop music songwriting quality. It should have been a hit, at the very least within the sometimes ignored lower half of the Top 40. Alas, such mainstream airplay was not to be for the Bats, but Brion's considerable pop sensibility would ultimately commune with a kindred spirit - Aimee Mann - who was a bit more fortunate when it came to '80s success.

• Sample or download "Not Easy for Me" here.
• Top '80s U.S. Music Scenes

Album Cover Image Courtesy of Gustav Records