Tag: 1980s
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Modern English, Mesh & Lace, 1981 on 4AD
Debut album from Modern English on the 4AD label. This wasn’t released in the US formally until the 2012 CD reissue and then 2016 on vinyl. The debut is a bit darker and more derivative of Joy Division than some of the later work but still a really strong collection of songs. I always loved…
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X, See How We Are, 1987 on Elektra
This was the sixth studio album from Exene Cervenka, John Doe, and D.J. Bonebrake, and the first after the departure of Billy Zoom. He was replaced by Dave Alvin and then Tony Gilkyson, both of whom are credited on the LP. Benmont Tench also contributes on the Hammond organ. The standout for me is “4th…
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Bauhaus, 4AD, 1983 on 4AD
Yes, I did save this one for halloween. This was a compilation EP of the singles versions of “Dark Entries,” “Telegram Sam,” and “Terror Couple Kill Colonel.” Love that back cover photo. I was today years old when I realized that John Cale wrote “Rosegarden Funeral of Sores,” the opening triplet of which is burned…
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Everything But The Girl, Idlewild, 1988 on Sire
This was the fourth EBTG album, released in early 1988 on Sire / Blanco y Negro Records. There’s a 2012 double CD reissue with bonuses but that has not been issued on vinyl. (The LP was reissued by Music on Vinyl in 2016 but as a single LP). I love Tracey Thorn and Ben Watts,…
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The Smiths, The World Won’t Listen, 1987 on Rough Trade
This is a compilation album—the second of three—including singles and b-sides from 1985-1987. Most of these tracks also appear on Louder Than Bombs (a 2xLP), but two are different versions and two are edits. Fantastic collection of songs, including “Panic,” “Ask,” “Bigmouth Strikes Again,” “There Is a Light That Never Goes Out,” “That Joke Isn’t…
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Bruce Hornsby and The Range, The Way It Is, 1986 on RCA Victor
Multi-platinum debut album for Hornsby & the Range, including the title track as well as “Mandolin Rain.” The Range included David Mansfield, George Marinelli, Joe Puerta, and John Molo – Huey Lewis guests on “Down the Road Tonight” and produced three tracks. I imagine some people now know this as the track sampled in 2Pac’s…
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Prince and the Revolution, Live, 2022 on NPG Records
Released in 1985 as a VHS live movie, this was issued on 3xLP vinyl by NPG records in 2022. It was recorded March 30th, 1985, at the Carrier Dome in Syracuse NY. Fantastic live set from the Purple Rain era which was also broadcast in Europe as part of Rockpalast. There was also a DVD…
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Marshall Crenshaw, Marshall Crenshaw, 1982 on Warner Bros.
Debut album from Marshall Crenshaw, including the song for which he is best known “Someday, Someway.” The followup sophomore album (Field Day) was produced by Steve Lillywhite but did not do nearly as well, though he did go on to work with T-Bone Burnett and appear in the films Peggy Sue Got Married and La…
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Big Country, The Crossing, 1983 on Mercury
Debut album by Scotland’s Big Country, which charted at number 18 in the US, and contains the song “In a Big Country.” Produced by Steve Lillywhite and recorded in London and Oxford. The opening of that track – “In a Big Country” – is just indelibly etched in my early 80s memory. I’m sure they…
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The Smiths, The Smiths, 1984 on Rough Trade
Masterful debut album by Morrissey, Johnny Marr, Andy Rourke and Mike Joyce aka The Smiths. Produced by John Porter and recorded at multiple studios in Manchester and London in 1983. Yes, I still listen to The Smiths even if Morrissey is problematic. This is a fantastic debut – not necessarily my favorite single Smiths record,…
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Joe Jackson, Live 1980/86, 1988 on A&M
Recorded across four different tours in the early 80s, this double LP live album includes three versions of “Is She Really Going Out With Him?” on four sides – including an a cappella version and an acoustic version. Great live album and surprisingly hearing three versions of the same song is actually really compelling and…
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Bauhaus, Mask, 1981 on Beggars Banquet
Second studio album from Bauhaus and their first on Beggars Banquet (In The Flat Field was on 4AD), with a cover drawn by Daniel Ash, across a gatefold and on the labels. The first five Bauhaus records are are perfect – as is the singles collection 1979-1983 and most of the bands that followed in…
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Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual, 1983 on Portrait
Lauper’s debut solo album, She’s So Unusual had four top-five singles: “Girls Just Want To Have Fun,” “Time After Time,” “She Bop,” and “All Through The Night.” A number of the songs were covers – “Money Changes Everything” by The Brains, “When You Were Mine” by Prince, “All Through The Night” by Jules Shear, and…
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XTC, English Settlement, 1982 on Virgin/Epic
This was the fifth XTC studio album, out on Virgin Records in the UK and Epic in the US. The band stopped touring after this LP and became more of a studio only group. Interesting midpoint between “Making Plans For Nigel” (1979) and “Dear God” (1986). Includes “Senses Working Overtime.” Still looking for a 2xLP…
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Tom Waits, Big Time, 1988 on Island Records
Live album from Tom Waits, including performances from the 1987 tour, also available as a concert film on Amazon Prime / MGM+. Waits is joined by Willie Schwarz, Michael Blair, Greg Cohen, Marc Ribot, and Ralph Carney – and Kathleen Brennan and Waits co-produced. Most (all?) of the Tom Waits catalogue is being reissued these…
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Too Much Joy, Son of Sam I Am, 1988 on Alias
This was the second full length from Scarsdale New York’s Too Much Joy. I didn’t actually know them in the 80s so picked this up a bit on a whim (it sounded vaguely familiar but I couldn’t place it). Great LP of late 80s college radio alternative with some humor, as the title suggests. My…
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Billy Joel, An Innocent Man, 1983 on Columbia / Family Productions
Billy Joel’s ninth studio LP, with the title track, “Uptown Girl,” and “The Longest Time” as big hits. Toots Thielemans joins on harmonica on “Leave a Tender Moment Alone.” Some people might put Billy Joel in the “guilty pleasures” column – I probably did in 1983 – but I’ve really come to appreciate him. Guess…
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Cowboy Junkies, Misguided Angel, 1989 on RCA
Margo, Peter, and MIchael Timmons with Alan Anton were Cowboy Junkies. This EP came out alongside the Trinity Session album, with the lead single “Misguided Angel” from that session at the Church of the Holy Trinity in Toronto, plus four live tracks recorded at the ROXY in Hollywood. Both “Sweet Jane” and “Walking After Midnight”…