Tag: vinylfindsPage 1 of 52

Indigo Girls, Indigo Girls, 1989 on Epic

Sophomore album from Amy Ray and Emily Sallers, with their massive breakout hit “Closer To Fine.” Michael Stipe guests on “Kid Fears” and Hothouse Flowers guest on multiple…

The Smiths, Strangeways Here We Come, 1987 on Rough Trade.

Fourth (and final) studio album from The Smiths, produced by Stephen Street, Morrissey, and Johnny Marr and recorded at The Wool Hall in Beckington, Somerset. On constant repeat…

The Fun Boy Three, The Fun Boy Three, 1982 on Chrysalis

The Fun Boy Three (Terry Hall, Neville Staple, and Lynval Golding) were a spin-off / outgrowth of The Specials. This was their debut, self-titled album with guests Bananarama…

Bob Dylan, Oh Mercy, 1989 on Columbia

Dylan’s 26th studio album, produced by Daniel Lanois and recorded in New Orleans. “Political World,” “Where Teardrops Fall,” and “Everything is Broken” make a great opening trio on…

Sting, Bring On The Night, 1986 on A&M

Sting’s first solo live album, a 2xLP set recorded over multiple nights of a tour in 1985. Sting was touring here with Branford Marsalis, Darryl Jones, Kenny Kirkland,…

Dire Straits, Making Movies, 1980 on Warner Brothers

Released on Vertigo in the UK but Warner Bros in the US, this was the third full-length from Mark Knopfler and Dire Straits. Produced by Jimmy Iovine and…

Tears for Fears, Songs From The Big Chair, 1985 on Mercury

Sophomore album from Roland Orzabal and Curt Smith, following The Hurting. Hard to imagine trying to follow up that record, but this went to number one in the…

Charlie Sexton, Pictures for Pleasure, 1985 on MCA

Sexton was a guitar wunderkind from Austin who was 16 when this came out. A poster of the album cover is seen in Ferris Bueller’s bedroom, and John…

New Order, Confusion (FAC93), 1983 on Factory

This was the sixth single from New Order, put out by Factory in 1983 as a follow up to “Blue Monday.” Produced by and co-written with DJ Arthur…

John Hiatt, Bring the Family, 1987 on A&M

John Hiatt’s eighth studio album and his first on A&M. What a fantastic songwriter! Actually paid for by Demon Records in the UK, but picked up after being…

Pat MacDonald and The Essentials, Essentialist Propaganda, 1983 on Counter-Pop

Pat MacDonald would go on to be one half of Timbuk 3 with his wife Barbara Kooyman, listed here as Barbara K. MacDonald. “Too Much Sex (Not Enough…

DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince, He’s the DJ, I’m The Rapper, 1988 on Jive

Second album from the duo of Jeffrey Townes (aka DJ Jazzy Jeff) and Will Smith (aka The Fresh Prince), including “Parents Just Don’t Understand” which won the first…

Foreigner, Foreigner 4, 1981 on Atlantic

Fourth (as the name suggests) full length studio album from Foreigner, who brought together three Brits and three Americans (making half the band at least foreigners wherever they…

Re-Flex, The Politics of Dancing, 1983 on Capitol

Debut album from English new-wave band Re-Flex, on EMI in the UK but Capitol in the US. Produced by John Punter who produced Roxy Music and Japan. Re-Flex…

The Special AKA, Nelson Mandela, 1984 on Two Tone

Extended version 12″ single from The Specials (Special AKA), produced by Elvis Costello. One of my favorite early 80s ska protest songs. Now dated in its reference but…

The Robert Cray Band, Who’s Been Talkin’, 1980 on Tomato

Debut album from Robert Cray and band (Curtis Salgado, Richard Cousins, and Dave Olson). Tomato was a NY based indie label started in the late 70s by Kevin…

Safety Last, Struck By Love, 1983 on Twin/Tone

This was the first and only full length by Twin/Tone’s Safety Last, following their self-titled EP. On this LP they include Rusty Jones, Gary Louris, Lianne Smith, and…

U2, Give Me One Last Chance, 2023 on Dear Boss.

Bootleg of U2 live in Glen Helen Regional Park, San Bernadino CA, on May 30th 1983. Dear Boss. (apparently the period is part of the label name) is…

The Triffids, Calenture, 1987 on Island Records

This was actually the fourth LP for the Australian alt-rock (post-punk?) band The Triffids, but likely their best known to US audiences (like me). The literary-ness of being…

The Replacements, Let It Be, 1984 on Twin/Tone

Third full length album for The Replacements, following Hootenanny. Recorded at Blackberry Way after using a warehouse in Brooklyn Center for that record. Produced by Steve Fjelstad, Peter…