Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 12, 2023 23:11:33 GMT 1
66 Fiction Factory - Throw the Warped Wheel Out
 Staying in Scotland with the best band to come out of Perth and one of the most brilliant one hit wonders ever, '(Feels Like) Heaven'. This album though is not just a big song and filler, although there is a little, there are plenty more good songs that could become loved over time. The debut album for the band, it never charted in the UK, although it must have in Scotland but no chart for that at this time. 4/5 Great album and (Feels Like) Heaven is up there as one of my all-time fav songs |
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Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2023 22:57:46 GMT 1
32 China Crisis - Flaunt the Imperfection
 Their third album and they have done really well with all their records scoring 4/5 so far. Like Stevie this is not their highest peak, but it is my favourite album. The singles as ever are top quality "Black Man Ray" and "King in a Catholic Style" especially, and this album doesn't have any tracks that annoy me, which they usually have 1 or 2. Still think they are a singles band though. The record peaked #8 in the UK and #171 in the US. 4/5 Great band heard Eddie Lundon talking to Jackie Brambles this week on her 8' Clock interview slot on Greatest Hits Radio. The band still going strong and about to play Rewind. |
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Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2023 22:58:52 GMT 1
30 Howard Jones - Dream Into Action
 Another strong album for him with his second release, some really great singles including "Things Can Only Get Better", "No One Is to Blame" and "Life in One Day". The CD version also included "Like to Get to Know You Well". Amazing how big he was for such a short time really, this album peaked #2 in the UK and #10 in the US. 4/5 Really great artist, such a shame they're later work is often over-looked. |
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Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2023 23:06:15 GMT 1
17 Propaganda - A Secret Wish This might be one of the surprises in the top 20, but not if you know what kinda of newer music I like now with a 80s influence. I did have high hopes with this German synth-pop band, I love all the singles especially the brilliant "Duel" and "p:Machinery". In fact this whole record is amazing, and will definitely return to it. You1 can hear so many bands that are influenced by this record most obviously Chvrches but it is a bit darker even industrial sounding in places as you might expect from a band from West Germany in 1985. The record reached #16 in the UK 4.5/5 Great album a classic! |
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Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2023 23:14:48 GMT 1
8 Mr. Mister - Welcome to the Real World
Their second album, their debut was released in 1984 and I missed it, will give it a spin and add it later. Mr Mister were one of the bands that really kicked off my love of AOR, through shows like Casey Kasems Top 10, Entertainment USA and of course No Limits. Mr Mister were on all three with their killer duo of singles epic ballad "Broken Wings" and one of the ultimate power ballads "Kyrie". Is it weird I prefer "Kyrie" I think not it has electric production and a chorus that still gives me chills, just makes me feel good whenever I hear it and it has a little edge which if Mr Mister added more of, they would have been a 5/5 band. The rest of the album is great as well but of course those two songs tower above much else as the masterpieces they are. The record was a US #1 and #6 in the UK and sold over 1 million copies.
4.5/5 Yeah i've always loved Kyrie too |
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Mark
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Post by Mark on Aug 17, 2023 23:16:42 GMT 1
6 a-ha - Hunting High and Low
 Of course it's them. Their debut album and the record that I have heard more out of than anything else in this list. I do now have it on vinyl but it was my sister who played this constantly when it was out and even though it wasn't cool to admit, it was a great record. Now I go even further to say it is one of the albums of the year and very close to being a perfect pop/rock album. I actually think we got it right in the UK "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." is better than "Take On Me", and "Train of Thought" is in the same league. This album would be bigger here than anywhere outwith their native Norway and they would become a very successful band. In the UK it went to #2 and #15 in the US, where there seems to be this myth they are one hit wonders, "The Sun Always Shines on T.V." reached #20.
4.5/5 Superb debut album! |
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