Just Missed My Top 200: Landscape - It's Not My Real Name

Experimental new wave band Landscape was formed in London in 1977 by Richard Burgess (vocals) and Christopher Heaton (keyboards). After the band was fleshed out by the addition of another three members (Andy Pask, Peter Thoms, and John Walters), and a record deal was negotiated, work began in earnest on their debut eponymous album. Released in 1979 to little fanfare, Landscape built an audience for their electronic sound by touring and using independent radio airplay to get noticed.

This work paid off when second album From The Tea Rooms Of Mars exploded, producing two UK top-40 hits in 1981. No one was more surprised than the band when "Einstein A Go-Go" hit #5 and "Norman Bates" reached #40. Seeking to strike while the iron was hot, Burgess got the band back in the studio and recorded their third LP Manhattan Boogie-Woogie right away. Released only one year later, in 1982, Landscape was primed for their big breakthrough with lead single "It's Not My Real Name", which featured pounding percussion and complex, multi-layered synth lines.

The single and album unexpectedly flopped, and Landscape soon broke up. They later reformed, but never recaptured the success of their early years.

"It's Not My Real Name" just missed making my Top 200. It's an awesome song that should have been a hit, but for some reason wasn't.

Be back next week with another song that didn't quite make it.