10 Forgotten Punk Albums You Need To Redisover
3. The Passions - Michael & Miranda
The Passions are - by a long stretch - best known for their slick early ‘80s hit “I’m In Love With A German Film Star”. But while they’ll appear on lists alongside Nena and Chumbawamba, by no means are they a one and done group.
Their first record, 1980’s Michael & Miranda, is a superb, angular collection of spiky tracks that contrast the energetic sprint of the brittle guitars and the assured swagger of singer Barbara Grogan. Opener “Pedal Fury” is all skittery, trebly guitars, as aggressive as a group this cooly disaffected can get.
“Palava” sees Grogan dismissing a partner who can’t match her level of icy style, while “Love Song” utilises a chiming delay pedal in a manner U2’s The Edge would be proud of.
Michael & Miranda could be categorised as post-punk but there’s a directness and assured simplicity to these tracks that places them more firmly in the punk camp. It wasn’t the music that would net them their biggest payday, but the natural grace and confidence of the record is something to behold.