Tag: 1980s
-
The Replacements, The Complete Inconcerated Live, 2020 on Sire / Rhino / Reprise
The Replacements live at the University of Wisconsin in Milwaukee June 2nd, 1989, which was not officially released on vinyl until 2020. Liner notes by Bob Mehr, whose bio of the band, Trouble Boys, was published in 2016. Great sound – via a soundboard feed – of a compelling live show with the band not…
-
Living Colour, Vivid, 1988 on Epic
The debut album from Vernon Reid, Corey Glover, Will Calhoun, and Muzz Skillings, better known as Living Colour. “Cult of Personality” raged all over in the late 80s – I loved their sound (metal and funk) and their presence. There are many great songs here – “Memories Can’t Wait,” “Open Letter (To a Landlord),” and…
-
Pixies, Surfer Rosa, 1988 on 4AD / Rough Trade
Pixies were a Boston band, formed in the late 80s – Surfer Rosa was their debut full-length, following an EP (Come On Pilgrim). Pretty sure I saw them at Great Woods (now the XFinity Center) in 1989 opening for Love and Rockets. It was recorded at Q Division Studios in Somerville (in the Highland avenue…
-
John Cougar Mellencamp, Big Daddy, 1989 on Mercury
This was Mellencamp’s tenth studio LP, and the fourth to carry “Mellencamp” after the “John Cougar” era. (It was the followup to Lonesome Jubilee). It was produced by Mellencamp and recorded at his own studio (Belmont Mall in Belmont Indiana). Lisa Germano plays violin, before she kicked off her solo career. My copy—via Gré Records…
-
U2, Out of Control in NYC (Live at the Ritz, 18 March 1982), 2023 on Mind Control
Another in a recent series of bootlegs that claim to be from FM broadcasts, based on EU rules around copyright of radio broadcasts. I’m not sure in some cases if they even ever were broadcast. Although the record claims to be March 18th, 1982, it seems to actually be from March 17th, the first of…
-
The Sugarcubes, Life’s Too Good, 1988 on Elektra
This is the first album I ever heard featuring Björk Guðmundsdóttir, and it was the debut album for the Icelandic band, which became a college radio hit. I heard it via a friend who (like me) was bound that summer from Minneapolis to Boston to go to Boston University—obviously someone much cooler than me. It’s…
-
Julian Lennon, The Secret Value of Daydreaming, 1986 on Atlantic
This was Julian Lennon’s sophomore album, following Valotte. Billy Joel joins on piano on “You Get What You Want.” It was recorded at Compass Point in the Bahamas and produced by Phil Ramone (who also produced his debut). Was startled to see the twin towers on the inner sleeve so close to the 25th anniversary…
-
John Prine, John Prine Live, 1988 on Oh Boy
Recorded live at the Coach House in San Juan Capistrano, except for the “Angel From Montgomery” with Bonnie Raitt, which was taken from the Steve Goodman tribute concert, and “Souvenirs” which comes from an Austin City Limits episode. It’s mostly Prine and his guitar, telling stories and singing songs – a bit of a filler…
-
Waylon Jennings, Songbird, 2025 on Son of Jessi
This is a posthumous release, based on material Jennings had recorded between 1973 and 1984 in his home studio with band members from the Waylors. The recordings were selected by Shooter Jennings and overdubs added to flesh out the production, but he has said the production was very minimal. There’s a great episode of The…
-
Billy Bragg, Billy Bragg, 1988 on Amiga
This is actually the album released as Talking With the Taxman About Poetry in the US and UK, but retitled for behind the iron curtain. When I found it in the store I thought it was some kind of bootleg live album, not recognizing the tracklist (which I should have recognized). Not sure if Mayakovsky…
-
The Blow Monkeys, Wicked Ways, 1986 on RCA
The Blow Monkeys were a really interesting UK pop / new-wave band in the 80s, and “Digging Your Scene” was their big hit in the US. This single was also from the Animal Magic LP that hit was from. Fronted by the self-titled Dr. Robert (Bruce Howard), the band included Mick Anker (bass), Neville Henry…
-
John Prine, Aimless Love, 1984 on Oh Boy
Prine’s eighth album and his first on Oh Boy, which Prine formed with manager Al Bunetta and friend Dan Einstein. Some classic Prine songs here: “Unwed Fathers,” “The Oldest Baby In the World,” and “People Puttin’ People Down” among them. Co-writers here include Spooner Oldham, Shel Silverstein, Bobby and Linda Whitlock, and Bobby Braddock –…
-
Pet Shop Boys, Actually, 1987 on Gong / Parlophone
Secodn studio LP from Chris Lowe and Neil Tennant aka Pet Shop Boys, released in 1987 on Parlophone in the UK and EMI America in the US. Wonderful collection of songs, including “Shopping” and “What Have I Done To Deserve This” as well as “It’s a Sin” which was a hit single. Production duties split…
-
The Touch with Terrence Trent D’Arby, Early Works, 1989 on IMP
Introducing the Hardline According To Terrence Trent D’Arby was one of my favorite albums of the late 80. Sananda Francesco Maitreya, as he came to call himself, was such a fascinating and compelling performer and writer. Having served in the US Army, D’Arby was stationed in West Germany. When he left the army in 1983…
-
The Dream Academy, Remembrance Days, 1987 on Reprise
Sophomore album from Nick Laird-Clowes, Kate St. John, and Gilbert Gabriel aka “The Dream Academy.” Most well known for “Life in a Northern Town” from their debut album. This second release got less attention, but I love it – “Indian Summer” and “Everybody’s Gotta Learn Sometime” in particular. Guests here in Lindsey Buckingham, who played…
-
Peter Wolf, Lights Out, 1984 on EMI America
Debut solo album from Boston’s own Peter Wolf, after parting ways with the J. Geils Band. Wolf put out a memoir in 2025: Waiting on the Moon: Artists, Poets, Drifters, Grifters, and Goddesses. It’s a great read and emphasizes all the unlikely connections and Forrest Gump-like moments where Wolf touched some key artist or milestone.…
-
Chaka Khan, I Feel For You, 1984 on Warner Bros.
I suspect this is where I first heard Chaka Khan and knew I was hearing Chaka Khan. The title track was a massive hit, with Grandmaster Melle Mel (of the Furious Five) rapping “Ch-ch-ch-chaka-chaka-chaka Khan” on the intro. Of course Khan also had made many albums with Rufus (some styled as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan)…
-
Neil Young & Crazy Horse, Reactor, 1981 on Reprise
This was the last album for Young & Crazy Horse on Reprise before the five album run on Geffin. Some would consider this a kind of punk or even post-punk (is 1981 too early for post-punk?) version of Neil Young & Crazy Horse. It sometimes gets listed as one of their least successful records—the lyrics…