Fischer Z - Going Deaf For A Living (1980)

Artist:  Fischer Z
Title:  Going Deaf For A Living
Release:  1980
Format:  LP
Label:  United Artists
Catalog#  1A 062-82867

“Going Deaf For A Living” is a 1980 album by Fischer-Z. This was the second album by Fischer-Z featuring the “classic line-up”. The guitar on this album was made more prominent, after their rather keyboard prominent debut.
Moving away from their prog leanings and embracing bits of reggae, Fischer Z had become a cohesive pop band capable of anything. Their hit single “So Long” had one of Watts’ most heartfelt vocals, while the playful (and slightly irritating) “Limbo” proved that he wasn’t always entirely serious. The band bounced off the walls on tracks like “Four Minutes In Durham (With You)” and “No Right,” yet they remained perfectly in control. The album’s title track remains one of Watts’ most brilliant songs, catchier than a pitcher’s glove (and “So Long” wasn’t too bad either!). With hardly a bad song in the bunch, this is still one of Fischer Z’s most popular albums.
The album featured the singles “Room Service”, “Crazy Girl”, “Limbo” and the most popular “So Long”.


Side one
1.  Room Service  (3:41
2.  So Long  (4:59)
3.  Crazy Girl  (4:26)
4.  No Right  (2:36)
5.  Going Deaf For A Living  (3:31)

Side two
1.  Pick Up/Slip Up  (2:37)
2.  Crank (3:06)
3.  Haters  (4:07)
4.  Four Minutes in Durham (With You)  (4:00)
5.  Limbo  (2:14)

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Fischer Z - Red Skies Over Paradise (1981)

Artist:  Fischer Z
Title:  Red Skies Over Paradise
Release:  1981
Format:  LP
Label:  Liberty Records
Catalog#  1A062-83100

“Red Skies Over Paradise” is a 1981 album by Fischer Z.
With keyboardist Skolnick gone, Fischer Z continued as a trio, recording this wonderfully dark album filled with political intrigue and emotional hang-ups (making personal feelings political and vice versa). Eschewing some of their earlier quirkiness, Watts and Co. were far more direct and serious. Whether he was portraying the crazed fan (“Marliese”), the guilty survivor of a suicide (“Wristcutter’s Lullabye”), or providing social and political commentary (“Berlin,” “Red Skies Over Paradise,” “Cruise Missiles”), Watts’ lyrics were biting, but the melodies didn’t hit home quite as often as the previous album. The overwhelming response that this album received in Europe paved the way for Watts to leave home and go solo. Thus endeth Fischer-Z’s original lineup.


Side one
1.  Berlin  (4:35)
2.  Marliese  (3:52)
3.  Red Skies over Paradise  (4:32)
4.  In England 2:43)
5.  You’ll Never Find Brian Here  (2:08)
6.  Battalions Of Strangers  (5:05)

Side two
1.  Song & Dance Brigade  (3:03)
2.  The Writer  (3:22)
3.  Bathroom Scenario  (3:50)
4.  Wristcutter’s Lullaby  (2:47)
5.  Cruise Missiles  (4:17)
6.  Luton to Lisbon  (1:56)
7.  Multinationals Bite  (5:38)

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