What makes Early Morning Wake Up Call by Flash and the Pan notable?

The album features the hit title track 'Early Morning Wake Up Call', which reached the top of the charts in Australia, showcasing the band's commercial appeal. Its blend of new wave and synth-pop elements influenced the Australian music scene and contributed to the growing popularity of electronic music in the mid-1980s. Released in 1984, Early Morning Wake Up Call was Flash and the Pan's third studio album, following their successful self-titled debut in 1979 and the hit album Night in the Ruts in 1982. At this point in their career, they had solidified their sound, incorporating more electronic elements and catchy hooks that would define their style moving forward.

How many songs are on Early Morning Wake Up Call?

Early Morning Wake Up Call has 10 tracks, running approximately 43 minutes.

Early Morning Wake Up Call

Flash and the Pan · 1984

43 min · 10 tracks · new wave

A vibrant mix of synth-pop and new wave, blending infectious grooves with sharp lyrical commentary.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Early Morning Wake Up Call — This track encapsulates the album's energetic spirit with its catchy chorus and danceable beat, becoming a defining single for the band.
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Barking at the Moon — With its haunting melody and reflective lyrics, this song showcases a deeper emotional layer within the album's otherwise upbeat sound.
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Communication Breakdown — This track stands out with its punchy rhythms and clever wordplay, highlighting the band's knack for blending humor with social commentary.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

48 /100

Foothills

Higher than 19% of albums we've rated

The album blends catchy synth-pop with new wave elements, showcasing solid songwriting and production but lacks lasting depth.

What we noticed

The album opens with a high-energy title track that sets a brisk tempo, followed by tracks that alternate between upbeat grooves and more reflective moments.
Several songs feature prominent synthesizer lines that drive the melodies, while the rhythm section maintains a steady pulse throughout.
The lyrics often employ sharp social commentary, with vocal delivery varying from melodic to spoken word, creating dynamic contrasts.

Composition 25% of the score: 6/10
Craft 20% of the score: 7/10
Durability 25% of the score: 5/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 6/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 6/10

Influence 4/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Moments worth listening for

Where the writing does something specific.

Believe in Yourself

The bridge shifts to a direct address, encouraging personal empowerment amidst life's challenges.

This moment uses imperative language to create an urgent call to action, shifting the tone from narrative observation to motivational support.

Tracklist

Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.

1 Early Morning Wake Up Call 4:06
2 Communication Breakdown 3:28
3 Barking at the Moon 3:59
4 Downtown Too Long 4:20
5 Opera Singers 4:51
6 Midnight Man 4:57
7 On the Road 5:06
8 Look at That Woman Go 4:54
9 Fat Night 3:57
10 Believe in Yourself 4:18

What to play next

Listen next

Nights in France

1987

Go back to

Pan-orama

1983

Full Flash and the Pan discography Artists like Flash and the Pan

new wave synth-pop

Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata