"State of the Nation" by Industry

Song#:  1697
Date:  11/19/1983
Debut:  92
Peak:  81
Weeks:  8
Genre:  New Wave, Synthpop



Pop Bits:  This New York trio was originally formed in the late 70s as Industrial Complex. The band worked on getting established over the next few years and along the way issued a couple of independent EPs under their shortened name, Industry. By 1981, two of the three departed and remaining member, Mercury Caronia, found three other new bandmates and forged on. The new line-up of Industry signed on with Capitol Records who flipped the bill for an EP. Included on that self-titled disc was this single that ended up getting some traction in a couple of European countries. The song would reach #1 in Italy and #10 in Sweden. The single got issued in the States, but after lingering around for a couple of months, it could only manage to stay in the bottom quarter of the Pop chart. The success in Europe prompted a full album titled Stranger to Stranger, but with the failure of the single in the States, it disappeared quickly. The band would split up soon after.

ReduxReview:  I like the sound and feel of this song. I'm not surprised it did well in Europe as it is very Euro-synthpop. I just wish the song was a bit stronger. The production is very attractive and draws attention, but the tune doesn't offer anything real concrete for a memorable chorus. It's one of those singles that I enjoy hearing, but soon after I completely forget it and can't even hum a bar. I wouldn't mind hearing the rest of the album to see if they had anything else interesting to offer.

ReduxRating:  6/10

Trivia:  The second line-up of Industry included new lead singer Jon Carin. After Industry broke up, Carin worked as a session musician. It led to him doing some work for Pink Floyd on their album A Momentary Lapse of Reason (1987). During those sessions, a demo of a song by Carin got the attention of Floyd's David Gilmour. Gilmour worked up music based on the song and came up with "Learning to Fly," which would end up being the album's first single. With Carin credited as co-composer, the song would hit #1 at Rock while getting to #70 at Pop. Carin would then be part of Pink Floyd's band for their next two tours.

_________________________________________________________________________________