Jules And The Polar Bears – fnetiks (Phonetics) on vinyl LP. VG+. 1979 new wave from future Cyndi Lauper writer. Ships from Germany.
About Phonetics
A VG+ vinyl pressing of the 1979 second album from Jules And The Polar Bears, an underappreciated new wave gem from Jules Shear, who later co-wrote Cyndi Lauper's hit Steady.
fǝnĕtĭks (Phonetics) is the second album by Jules And The Polar Bears, released in 1979 via Columbia Records. Written by frontman Jules Shear, the album playfully spells its title and full lyric sheet phonetically, following the band’s critically acclaimed but commercially overlooked 1978 debut Got No Breeding. This listing is a VG+ vinyl pressing, including original inner sleeve, from a Berlin based eBay seller.
- Who were Jules And The Polar Bears
- About Phonetics
- Jules Shear's later career
- Pressing details and buying advice
Fast Facts
- Artist Jules And The Polar Bears were an American new wave band led by singer-songwriter Jules Shear.
- Release fǝnĕtĭks (Phonetics) came out in 1979 via Columbia Records, the band’s second album.
- Concept The album’s title and full lyric sheet are spelled phonetically throughout, with the conventional title only appearing on the back cover.
- Chart moment The single Good Feeling brought a minor success, though sales remained modest overall.
- Later career Jules Shear went on to co-write Cyndi Lauper’s hit Steady and pen All Through The Night, later covered by Lauper herself.
Jules And The Polar Bears – fnetiks (Phonetics) (LP, San, VG+)
Vinyl LP, Columbia Records, includes inner sleeve
Very Good Plus condition vinyl pressing of fǝnĕtĭks (Phonetics), includes original inner sleeve, sold by a Berlin based eBay seller with 100% positive feedback.
Pressing Specifications
Who Were Jules And The Polar Bears?
Jules Shear formed the band after his earlier country-influenced folk-rock trio Funky Kings failed to gain commercial traction, moving toward a more upbeat and eclectic pop and rock sound. The Polar Bears' 1978 debut, Got No Breeding, was praised widely by critics as one of the best pop albums to emerge from the new wave era, though disappointing sales meant it never found the audience its quality deserved, a fate reviewers have often attributed to inadequate marketing rather than any shortcoming in the music itself.
About Phonetics And Jules Shear's Later Career
Following Got No Breeding, the band's 1979 sophomore effort, fǝnĕtĭks (Phonetics), took a more overtly pop-leaning direction, spelling the album's title phonetically on the front cover, with the conventional spelling relegated to the back, and printing the entire lyric sheet in phonetic transcription on the inner sleeve. While some longtime fans felt the record's energy and edge softened compared to the debut, the single Good Feeling brought a minor commercial bright spot. After the Polar Bears disbanded, Shear's songwriting talents found remarkable second life: Cyndi Lauper covered his song All Through The Night, a rendition widely regarded as superior to Shear's own original, and the pair went on to co-write Steady, which became Shear's biggest hit as a songwriter when Lauper's version reached significant chart success in the mid-1980s.
Critical Reception
- VG+ condition, including the original inner sleeve
- A genuinely underappreciated pop-new wave record
- From a songwriter who went on to write major hits for Cyndi Lauper
- A distinctive phonetic concept throughout the packaging and lyrics
- Not a sealed or mint copy
- Some longtime fans felt this follow-up softened compared to the debut
- Niche appeal outside new wave and power pop collectors
What is fǝnĕtĭks (Phonetics) by Jules And The Polar Bears?
It is the band’s 1979 second album, released via Columbia Records, with its title and lyrics spelled phonetically throughout the packaging.
What condition is this vinyl copy in?
The sleeve is graded Very Good Plus (VG+), including the original inner sleeve.
Who was Jules Shear?
The frontman and songwriter of Jules And The Polar Bears, who went on to write All Through The Night and co-write Steady, both hits for Cyndi Lauper.
How is the album's title spelled?
The title appears phonetically on the front cover as fǝnĕtĭks, with the conventional spelling Phonetics on the back cover; the full lyric sheet is also transcribed phonetically.
Does this listing ship outside Germany?
The seller is based in Berlin and lists a fixed shipping cost; check the current listing for up to date international shipping options and rates.
Where To Buy This Pressing
Should You Buy This Copy?
- An underappreciated late-70s new wave record with a distinctive phonetic concept
- VG+ condition vinyl including original inner sleeve
- Best suited to fans of power pop and the origins of major songwriters
Phonetics marks a distinctive chapter from a songwriter who went on to major success writing for Cyndi Lauper, and this listing offers a VG+ pressing from a highly rated German seller.