The Dream Academy - Self-Titled Debut - 1985

When it comes to the Dream Academy's self-titled debut, there's only one thing I can say - Ferris Bueller.  If it weren't for the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off, I probably would've never purchased this album, and only ever cared or heard of them through the one song entitled Life In A Northern Town.  That one movie and it's terrific soundtrack introduced me to the Dream Academy, and for that I am eternally grateful.

 I remember my sophomore year in High School in Chicago I was part of a special class of "gifted" kids.  We had to score high on the IQ and EQ charts, maintain good grades and be relatively well-mannered to be in the class.  You'd be surprised at the extreme diversity of kids that were included.  I remember Richie Vargas, a hispanic skate punk who was big into the likes of Minor Threat and the Descendents.  Then there was Jason Hinkle, another skate punk who introduced me to Samhain, the Misfits and Danzig.  Then there was Anne who was all about the Psychedelic Furs, and Kevin Arias who introduced me to Steve Vai and Joe Satriani.  Conversely, Tim Mickus introduced me to Robotech and anime in general, but his idea of good music was alien to me.  Who listens to crappy classical music like Chopin anyway?!  It's weird when I think back to my friends in my past and remember them based on the music they listened to....

BUT I DIGRESS...

In this class, we used to take field trips all the time, travelling all over Chicago doing snooty, educated, upper bourgeois sorta things.  That year reminded me so much of the movie Ferris Bueller, as we went to several of the places in the movie throughout the year.  We went to the Chicago Stock Exchange, a Cubs game, and we ate at the Berghoff Restaurant (I know that wasn't in FBDO, but it reminded me of their fine dining scene).  BUT, obviously, the most significant place we went, in relation to the movie and to the Dream Academy, was the Chicago Art Museum.  I stood on the walkway looking out the blue stained glass window, just like they did.  I looked at Seurat's "Sunday on La Grande Jatte" just like Cameron.  And all of this to the sounds of the Dream Academy's cover of "Please Please Please".  

Again, I have a hole in my chest where the city of Chicago used to be, and when I hear tunes that remind me of living there, I get nostalgic and a little sad.  This entire album reminds me of that great city (along with about 10 other albums) and when I get morose, I pull this one out (sometimes) and give it a listen.  It tends to make things a little better. 

 The Dream Academy - Self-Titled Debut - 1985