Haircut 100

In the early half of the 1980s, few bands could blend the high gloss of sophisticated, jazz-influenced pop with the carefree breeziness of the incipient new wave as well as Haircut One Hundred. They were able to juxtapose horn sections, sax solos, skittering guitars, funky breakdowns, and sunny vocals into a sound that captured listeners' attention instantly. The group's single "Love Plus One" and album Pelican West -- both released in 1982 -- are touchstones for that era, and even a difficult second album, 1984's Paint and Paint, couldn't tarnish their reputation and actually...