After the Fire “ATF” 1982. Epic Records – US edition; the UK version released in ‘82 was called “Der Kommissar” and of course the single “Der Kommissar” became their biggest, and really only, hit, reaching #5 on the US charts. It was originally recorded by Austrian artist Falco (of 1985′s “Rock Me Amadeus” fame) in 1981. If you have never seen the video for ATF’s version, it really is spectacularly 80′s: the makeup, the bar scenes, the fashion (colored suits), the hair!

After the Fire formed in 1974, originally a prog rock band and then moved into New Wave at the genre’s infancy in ‘79. “ATF” is very 80′s new wave pop, bright and bouncy and radio-friendly for sure. I can honestly say I’ve never listened to this album, and probably no other After the Fire singles other than “Der Kommissar” which is a really fantastic song – I especially love at 2:16 when the rhythm (acoustic?) guitar joins with the keyboards and rockin’ guitar. The rest of the album is fine, a bit meh, but a nice snapshot of the burgeoning new wave scene in the UK during the early 80′s.