Album Review: My Baby Radio by Big Picture (1985)
Released in 1985, My Baby Radio by Big Picture is one of those hidden gems that feels like it was plucked straight out of a time capsule. This US-based band dabbled in a mix of New Wave and Pop Punk, which might sound like an odd combo, but trust me—it works. Released independently on the "Not On Label" label (yeah, you read that right), this album didn’t exactly set the charts on fire. But for fans of quirky, energetic rock with a touch of sass, it’s worth dusting off.
One track that sticks out is, unsurprisingly, “Radio.” It’s got this infectious energy that grabs you from the first chord. The guitar riffs are punchy, and the vocals have this raw edge that makes you feel like you’re listening to a live gig in some smoky dive bar. What I love most about “Radio” is how unapologetically fun it is. It doesn’t try too hard to be cool—it just is. You can practically hear the band having a blast while recording it, and that vibe is contagious.
Then there’s “My Baby,” which leans more into the pop side of their sound. It’s catchy as hell, with a chorus that’ll have you humming it for days. The lyrics aren’t exactly Shakespeare, but they don’t need to be. Sometimes simple does the trick, and this song proves it. The bassline here is the real MVP—it bounces along so smoothly that you almost forget you’re listening to a track from the '80s.
Looking back at My Baby Radio, it’s kinda wild to think about how underground it stayed. Sure, it wasn’t perfect—some tracks feel a bit rough around the edges—but isn’t that part of its charm? In a world full of overproduced albums, Big Picture gave us something real.
Fun fact: I once tried to find this album at a record store and ended up leaving with three other random LPs instead. Not sure if that says more about my shopping skills or the elusive nature of Big Picture’s discography. Either way, My Baby Radio is proof that sometimes the best music finds you when you least expect it.
