Saturn Strip

Alan Vega's 1982 album, Saturn Strip is essentially 80s music sung in the style of doo-wop.  Vega is a huge influence on singers like Bruce Springsteen and Arcade Fire's Win Butler.

The album was produced by Ric Ocasek and features musical contributions from Al Jourgensen. "Kid Congo" is a homage to Kid Congo Powers. The album was reissued on CD in 2004 by Wounded Bird, which also included the Just A Million Dreams album.

The album is not easy to listen at first but give it time.  Doo-wop vocals are met with moments of spoken word.  It took me a few listens but I finally came around to this 80s masterpiece.  Vega's Gene Vincent type voice finally struck a chord with me and the album became my go-to for quite some time.

Vega is a legend amongst musicians, well, maybe more of a myth.  Up until his 70th birthday people thought he was ten years younger.  Vega is also an accomplished sculptor.  He gained fained for his proto-punk band, Suicide.

Track listing

1. "Saturn Drive" (Al Jourgensen, Alan Vega) - 5:36
2. "Video Babe" (Vega) - 3:17
3. "American Dreamer" (Ric Ocasek, Vega) - 5:04
4. "Kid Congo" (Vega) - 2:37
5. "Goodbye Darling" (Mark Kuch, Vega) - 2:38
6. "Wipeout Beat" (Vega) - 5:59
7. "Je T'Adore" (Vega) - 3:40
8. "Angel" (Vega) - 5:06
9. "Every 1's a Winner" (Errol Brown) - 4:10

Personnel

• Alan Vega - vocals
• Larry Chaplin - bass
• Sesu Coleman - drums
• Stephen George - drums on "Saturn Drive", "American Dreamer", "Wipeout Beat"
• Mark Kuch - guitar
• Ric Ocasek - guitar, keyboards
• Al Jourgensen - keyboards on "Saturn Drive"
• Greg Hawkes - synthesizer, saxophone on "Wipeout Beat"
• Michael Zilkha - executive producer