'Quincy' is the self-titled debut album by Quincy, a New Jersey–based new wave and power pop band, released in 1980 on Columbia Records. It’s one of those albums that didn’t make a huge splash at the time but has slowly built a reputation as a hidden gem among fans of early-’80s power pop.
The band came together in the late 1970s and was centered around two sets of brothers, Stephen and Brian Butler and Gerald and Alex Takach, with keyboards and drums filling out the lineup. They were part of the wider New York and New Jersey club scene, drawing energy from places like CBGB, but their music leaned more toward melody and smart songwriting than punk aggression.
The album was produced by Tim Friese-Greene, who later became well known for his work with Talk Talk. Sonically, Quincy sits comfortably alongside records by The Cars, Elvis Costello, Joe Jackson, and The Knack. It’s tight, catchy, and polished, built on jangly guitars, strong harmonies, and punchy rhythms that feel very much of the era without sounding dated.
Songwise, the record is consistent from start to finish. Tracks like “Critics’ Choice,” “Grow Up,” “Always in the News,” and “Can’t Live in a Dream” show off the band’s knack for memorable hooks and slightly sarcastic, everyday-life lyrics. There isn’t much filler here, just a run of concise, radio-friendly songs that deserved more attention than they got.
Not long after the album came out, the band ran into trouble over their name. Quincy Jones objected to them using “Quincy,” and Columbia Records chose not to fight the issue. As a result, the band was forced to change their name to Lulu Temple, which effectively killed the momentum they had built. They released a small EP under the new name a few years later before breaking up.
At the time, Quincy passed by with little commercial impact, but over the years it’s become a cult favorite. For power pop and new wave fans, it’s a snapshot of that brief moment around 1980 when major labels were signing hook-heavy bands with big pop potential, and Quincy had the songs to justify the gamble. After the band ended, some members went on to form Smash Palace, which found more success in the 1980s power pop scene.
Label:
Columbia – NJC 36471
Format:
Vinyl, LP, Album
Country:
US
Released:
1980
Style:
New Wave, Power Pop
Tracklist:
A1 Turn The Other Way Around 3:15
A2 Critics' Choice 3:47
A3 Don't Knock On My Door 3:38
A4 Always In The News 3:09
A5 Dime Store Lies 3:34
A6 Can't Live In The Dream 2:59
B1 Just A Tragedy 3:32
B2 Stop Now 3:12
B3 Grow Up 2:44
B4 Roamin' Catholic 3:49
B5 Stuck On You 3:49
B6 Ordinary Town 3:11
Other Versions:
'Quincy' LP, Album, Stereo
CBS [S CBS 84451] (UK, 1980)
'Quincy' LP, Album, Stereo
Columbia [NJC 36471] (Canada, 1980)
'Quincy' LP, Album
Columbia [NJC 36471] (Spain, 1980)
'Quincy' Cassette, Album, Stereo, Dolby System
Columbia [NCT 36471] (US, 1980)
'Quincy' LP, Album
CBS [CLS-5708] (Mexico, 1980)
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