TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 18, 2023 9:00:19 GMT 1
35 Fleetwood Mac - Mirage
The thirteenth album from Fleetwood Mac and one that gets overlooked I feel, I think it is still a great album even if it isn't full of bangers like 'Tango In The Night' or super consistent like 'Rumours'. It is certainly uneven but the only track I am not keen on is 'Oh Diane'. 'Gypsy' is one of their best songs, I am just a sucker of Stevie Nicks Flake advert type songs. It was of course still a big record raeching #1 in the US and #5 in the UK and selling over 3 million worldwide although that is low for their terms. And what is that cover? 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 18, 2023 9:07:39 GMT 1
34 Don Henley - I Can't Stand Still
Now we have his first solo album. It is exacatly what you would have expected from the frontman of The Eagles at the time but he does show that he is willing to push into new directions, hence the album title. And nothing shows that more than 'Dirty Laundry' which is just a new wave meets hard rock explosion. As a fan of Don Henley's solo stuff though, this album isn't his best solo record, I dont think he finds his own sound till record 2. But he is one of my favourite vocalists ever and this album reached #24 in the US. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 18, 2023 9:12:03 GMT 1
33 Blancmange - Happy Families
Been awhile since we have had some great new romantic stuff well here we are. The debut album from Blancmange is just shining example of the genre. 'Living On The Celing' being maybe one of the top 5 songs in that sound but there is plenty more where that came from. Maybe not as big a record as it deserved though reaching #30 in the UK and no US crossover which is a shame. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 18, 2023 9:16:19 GMT 1
32 Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers - Long After Dark
Back on the US FM radio stuff, yes I know there is a lot. This is his fifth album and its maybe not one of his classic records but Tom Petty just can't do wrong for me and this is just as enjoyable as any other record even if it is low on super standouts. So a solid album but not essential. It reached #9 in the US and #45 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 18, 2023 9:22:28 GMT 1
31 Orange Juice - Rip It Up
So after struggling a bit with the more indie era of these Scottish bands, things are changing and they are becoming much more accessible for a 11 year old like me. Everyone knows the title track arguably the best song Edwyn Collins has ever wroyte although some of his solo work comes close but although nothing is quite a pop masterpiece as that song, the rest of their record is very good and they are starting to move up my list of favourite Scottish bands but they do have some new rivals waiting in the wings we will see them in 1983. Oddly this record was less successful than their debut, maybe not quirky enough for the old fans and new fans all bought the hit single, it reached #38 in the UK. 4/5
|
|
|
Post by Whitneyfan on Mar 18, 2023 22:09:35 GMT 1
'Mirage' is definitely overlooked, but I still really like it. 'Love in store', 'Hold me', 'Gypsy' and 'That's alright' are my favourites.
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 19, 2023 12:11:28 GMT 1
30 Joe Jackson - Night and Day
I thought this might have been higher as it features my song of the year 'Steppin Out' but as usual with Joe Jackson he leans a bit too much into jazz rather than new wave but that's his thing so what can you do. His fifth album though is by far his most succesful making the top 10 all of the world and peaking at #3 in the Uk and '4 in the US. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 19, 2023 12:27:48 GMT 1
29 Haircut One Hundred - Pelican West
Finally something I own physically, I have this debut album on vinyl. And it is definitely one of the best debuts of the 80s and probably the best debut by an act that only had one record together with originai lineup. Their second album flopped without Nick Heyward and not sure anyone even listened to it as to be fair he was the talent. But nevermind that, this excellent album reached #2 in the UK and #31 in the US with 4 top 10 hit singles in the UK. another high 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 19, 2023 12:34:59 GMT 1
28 Survivor - Eye of the Tiger
Although they have had some US success since 1979, it is not until this 3rd album they become household names everywhere. And even now 40 years later, that song is still huge, carrying over to every generation. The title track really boosted their success and profile rhelping the album to reach #2 in the US their biggest hit and #12 in the UK, their only hit album here. But for me the band will get better with their 5th and 6th records. 4/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 19, 2023 12:40:31 GMT 1
27 The Psychedelic Furs - Forever Now
Speaking of getting better, this band' s third album really takes them to the next level. They have found their sound which will carry them through the next ten years. 'Love My Way' the hit of this record their first in the US, is probably my favourite song overall by them but they have more brilliant songs to come on their next two records. This record reached #20 in the UK and #61 in the US. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 19, 2023 12:47:16 GMT 1
26 Modern English - After the Snow
Staying with the alternative, we have the 2nd album from the English post-punk band on 4AD. An improvment overall on their debut which I alraedy loved after hearing for the first time early this year, this album features 'the hit that never was' 'I Melt With You' why was this song not huge in the UK, well I suspect 4AD was the reason as so many times they have great singles but they just don't cross over out of the indie charts/stores but due to the airplay element I suspect the song reached #78 in the US. Their biggest jit album it reached #50 in the US but again nothing here 4.5/5
|
|
|
Post by smokeyb on Mar 19, 2023 23:45:50 GMT 1
35 Fleetwood Mac - Mirage
The thirteenth album from Fleetwood Mac and one that gets overlooked I feel, I think it is still a great album even if it isn't full of bangers like 'Tango In The Night' or super consistent like 'Rumours'. It is certainly uneven but the only track I am not keen on is 'Oh Diane'. 'Gypsy' is one of their best songs, I am just a sucker of Stevie Nicks Flake advert type songs. It was of course still a big record raeching #1 in the US and #5 in the UK and selling over 3 million worldwide although that is low for their terms. And what is that cover? 4/5 I own 5 Fleetwood Mac albums, this one on vinyl. Quite a lot to like here, Gypsy obviously, but I quite like Oh Diane.
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 20, 2023 8:38:34 GMT 1
25 Daryl Hall & John Oates - H2O
Now we get to the album that fetures the first Hall&Oates song I knew, it turns out I had heard plenty before but this was the first that resonated with me. This was their elevnth album and that song was 'Maneater' their most successful single ever, making this also their biggest album yet reaching #3 in the US and #24 in the UK. It sold over 2 million in the States alone. But this is definitely not a one track album, it is a group at their peak. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 20, 2023 8:43:01 GMT 1
24 The Jam - The Gift
This was unexpected I didn't expect to like their final album as much as I did as going on their last record, they were getting past their best. This was their sixth album and really I thought it woudl b average at best but has two brillaint singles in "Precious" and Town Called Malice" and the rest of the record is pretty solid too, without a weak track really. It was their first number one album in the UK and reached #82 in the US. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 20, 2023 8:50:54 GMT 1
23 Eddie Money - No Control
His fourth album and I would say his best yet. He has found the sound which he will maintain for the rest of the 80s and the songs are just stronger. Just a great listen all the way through, loving early Eddie MOney as much as his post 86 stuff now. It reached #20 in the US. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 20, 2023 14:36:16 GMT 1
22 The Clash - Combat Rock
Another album that finishes higher than I thought but I should have known I'd love this one by the singles, I tend to prefer Mick Jones tracks and this has so many good ones and you can a hear where Big Audio Dynamite get their sound from this record but yes this is my favourite Clash album and maybe 'London Calling' has just as many great songs but it has a bit of filler as well. Their fifth album reached #2 in the UK and #7 in the US. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 20, 2023 14:44:00 GMT 1
21 The Church - The Blurred Crusade
The Australian band are just getting better and better and are maybe going to go from one song wonders to one of my favourite 80s bands ever. They really do not get enouigh credit for being at the forefront of alternative rock, this album is so ahead of its time while also harking back to the 60s, like a lot of great indie albums do to be fair. Will this be their best album, I am still thinking 'Starfish' from 1988 will be the best but this could cause an upset. Their second album reached #10 in Australia 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 21, 2023 8:33:59 GMT 1
20 Icehouse - Primitive Man
Another Australian band but one I did know that the time. This was their 2nd album and featured their worldwide hit 'Hey Little Girl' which was very reminscient of Roxy Music/Bryan Ferry' s sound at the time and I loved that song but my favourite is now 'Great Southern Landf' which I heard on the soundtrack to 'Young Einstein', yes I know a very odd forgotten movie but it was kinda fun at the time, anyway that song was just magical in that movie but i never knew it was on this record. Anyway they became one of my favourite bands especially due to their 1987 album, looking forward to hearing the ones in between. Anyway it peaked at #3 in Australia, #64 in the Uk, sadly their biggest hit here and just #129 in the US but things will improve for them there. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 21, 2023 8:40:57 GMT 1
19 Ultravox - Quartet
Their sixth album and the last one I would say is essential, fetauring two of my favourite tracksĀ "Reap the Wild Wind" andĀ "Hymn". They maybe are still doing the same thing but nobody not even OMD are making synth music as good as this, its just so atmospheric and foreboding, a theme that will for sure reappear in their next record. It raeched #6 in the Uk and #61 in the US. 4.5/5
|
|
TheThorne
Member
*Hillside, slip and slide, feel the pain, it's no surprise!*
Posts: 27,583
|
Post by TheThorne on Mar 21, 2023 8:47:30 GMT 1
18 Bruce Springsteen - Nebraska
Another sixth album and in this situation, timing is everything, we have just had Ryan Adams cover of this album and I of course replayed this record for this list but I am just not feeling it. Another day another time this would be in my top 10 but it;s just not where I am right now. If this was an E Street band record which was intended, I would probably look at it differemt. It's one of his best solo albums though and the songs are all pretty incredible. It reached #3 in the UK and US. 4.5/5
|
|