TheThorne
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 18, 2023 16:41:28 GMT 1
33 Kevin McDermott Orchestra - Mother Nature's Kitchen
Another debut album in this batch and it is from a Scottish singer/songwriter. I was introduced to this band by a friend at school and I really didn't get into them then although 'Wheels Of Wonder' is a total tune. Listening to it now, I absolutely loved it, why on earth didn't I like this, it is not that different from Del Amitri, with its very US heartland feel. Just so well-made, quality record. It didn'ttc chart though, although he did have a large following in Scotland. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 18, 2023 16:49:46 GMT 1
32 Nine Inch Nails - Pretty Hate Machine
Now we have a debut album that brings a genre into the mainstream for the first time. Industrial music has been on the fringes and the underground for most of the decade with bands like Big Black, Young Gods, Skinny Puppy and Ministry. Trent Reznor changed everything with this classic album. A lot of the album is like Ministry meets Depeche Mode, but what really set it apart were tracks like 'Sin' which were taking in sounds from cutting edge dance music like techno. My personal favourite are the rock club floor fillers, though, which are "Head Like a Hole" and "Terrible Lie". A moderate success at first, reaching #67 in the UK and #75 in the US, but it will sell over 3 million since release. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 18, 2023 16:56:07 GMT 1
31 The Wonder Stuff - Hup
The second album from the alt-rock band and the only one I own of theirs, although I do have lots of their singles. Really enjoyed this album more than I expected, especially the first half, I think Wonderstuff had the right balance here between pop and rock, and they maybe go too far the other way on the next record. The singles again are brilliant "Golden Green" and "Don't Let Me Down, Gently" and plenty other songs that are great as well. "Can't Shape Up" was supposed to be a single but cancelled after Rob Jones left the band and quickly replaced with the non album single 'Circle Square'. Always wondered where it came from. The record reached #5 in the UK. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 7:54:29 GMT 1
30 Nirvana - Bleach
Here we are with the debut album from one of the most influential bands of the 90s. Probably not much I need to stay about this, it is a scuzzier, punkier, rougher version of the Nirvana that will change the world with 'Nevermind'. It is a step up from bands like Screaming Trees, Tad, Melvins, Kyuss. It is probably up there with Dinosaur Jnr but you could never predict that this band would be mainstream huge, although there are some excellent tracks on this. Originally it only charted the indie charts, but when re-issued in 1992 it reached #33 in the UK and #89 in the US 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 8:08:41 GMT 1
29 Tears For Fears - The Seeds of Love
The third album from the Uk duo and this is basically their 'St Pepper' homage album. Generally that doesn't make my much of a fan but some of them really work brilliantly, especially the title track '"Sowing the Seeds of Love" which blends the both of both bands. I much prefer the first half of the album, the rest is fine. It does not quite keep up the quality to the end. The album was long awaited though and went straight in at number one in the Uk and #8 in the US. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 8:16:10 GMT 1
28 The The - Mind Bomb
Another third album and one that I have a mixed relationship with, initially I was just fine with it "The Beat(en) Generation" is a great single. Then I shared a flat with a huge The The album and I fell in love with the band and this record, the themes by 1991 when I heard the album in full again, really didn't bother me as, well we made it Matt. But in 2023 this album hits super hard again and it makes me feel uncomfortable in the way it would have done when Matt first wrote the song in 1988. They really are that's all I will say. But ignoring track 2, this record is still top-notch, not my favourite in their catalogue but added Johnny Marr keeps this album fresh and a great listen, if a bit difficult again. The record reached #4 in the Uk and #138 in the US. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 8:24:50 GMT 1
27 New Order - Technique
The fifth album from the band and it is totally the record they needed to make while Manchester was centre of the world musically, well for now. This is not a deep or life changing album, it is very much a party record made for the raves and indie clubs. 'Fine Time' is a total acid house banger and 'Round And Round' gives 'Blue Monday' competition for the indie dancefloor. But it is mostly a vibe record, there isn't really any super memorable tracks, it is made for the clubs and for that it works. The record reached #1 in the UK and #32 in the US. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 8:32:29 GMT 1
26 Red Hot Chili Peppers - Mothers Milk
Their fourth album and I had not heard this one in a long time. Hearing it now, it is much more of a transition record than I remembered, it still has a lot of the zany stuff from their first three albums. There are definitely a couple of songs that have to be skipped. The thing is though we can see also their potential to be huge, especially on the singles "Taste the Pain" and "Higher Ground". But the song that hints most at the greatness to come is "Knock Me Down". The record reached #52 in the US and sold over a million since release. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 14:00:30 GMT 1
25 Don Henley - The End of the Innocence
His 3rd solo album and the first one I heard in full. This was his biggest selling album as well and spawned 4 top 50 hits in the US. So in many ways this album is not of the standard of the previous album. The singles "The End of the Innocence", a Bruce Hotnsby co-labb, the epic "New York Minute" and two solid releases "The Last Worthless Evening" and "The Heart of the Matter". The rest isn't bad, no dodgy misstep son this album and even has some great album tracks like "I Will Not Go Quietly" (featuring Axl Rose). The first two tracks on side two do let it down a bit though. The record reached #8 in the US and #17 in the UK. It sold over 6 million in the US. 4/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 14:06:58 GMT 1
24 Aerosmith - Pump
The tenth album from the US rock veterans and I will say it, I think this is their best album certainly post 70s anyway. "Love in an Elevator" has mayeb aged the worst of the singles here, I loved it at the time though but the others are still epic Janie's Got a Gun", T"he Other Side" and the quite underrated "What It Takes". There are a couple of average tracks but on the whole I love this album so much. The record reached #3 in the UK and #5 in the US where it sold over 7 million copies. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 14:15:27 GMT 1
23 Janet Jackson - Rhythm Nation 1814
Her fourth album and shockingly this finishes higher than 'Control'. 'Control' has maybe some better singles but this album is the complete package. It is less dated, takes more chances sonically and just about every song is a classic, there are no weak tracks at all. In fact if it was for some of the interludes that get a little annoying, this could have been a 5 star album. C'mon just look at these singles "Rhythm Nation", "Miss You Much", "Alright", "Come Back to Me", "Black Cat", "Love Will Never Do (Without You)" and my favourite "Escapade". Even "State of the World" was a single also in the US. So only 3 album tracks!! The record reached #1 in the US and #4 in the UK and sold over 12 million worldwide. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 14:22:55 GMT 1
22 Skin Games - The Blood Rush
From a megastar multi-million seller to a record that is hard to even find and on no streaming services. Skin Games were a British pop/rock band fronted by Wendy Page. She had the most amazing voice part Kate Bush, part dream pop but coupled with a fairly standard guitar band. The highlights were of course the two singles 'Brilliant Shining' and 'Your Lucks Changed' but the whole album is quality, a real hidden gem and they deserved to stick around longer. Random fact though both Wendy and her bandmate Jim Marr, became songwriters and wrote hits for Billie including "Because We Want To", Hilary Duff and the number one hit for Martine McCutcheon ("Perfect Moment"). So there is that. The record their only album failed to chart anywhere. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 19, 2023 14:31:27 GMT 1
so who just misses the top 20 21 Belinda Carlisle - Runaway Horses
Belinda is back with her 3rd album, in the month that her 9th album is released 'Kismet', looks like it could be a good one. But back to 1989 this album is pretty much on par with 'Heaven On Earth' and if you were to take the first 6 tracks of each, possible even better. It may not have the highest high but it has no dodgy tracks like 'I Feel Free' from her 2nd album, it is way more consistent especially the back half which is superior to her 2nd album. Maintaining her stardom much better here than in the US, teh record reached #4 in the UK and #37 in the US. Oh forgot to show look at these singles "Leave a Light On", "Runaway Horses", "Vision of You", "Summer Rain", "La Luna" and "(We Want) The Same Thing". Think the title track is my fave. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 8:45:11 GMT 1
Ok top 20 today 20 The Cult - Sonic Temple
The fourth album from the British rock band and those goth leanings are far behind them. This is a full on hard rock album and it rarely lets up and when it does on "Edie (Ciao Baby)", it nails the power ballad as well. There is really no weak tracks on this maybe a slight drop in quality near the end but these are all excellent songs "Sun King", Fire Woman" and "Sweet Soul Sister" especially. A very big hit reaching #3 in the UK and #10 in the UK, by far their most successful album there. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 8:53:02 GMT 1
19 The Outfield - Voices of Babylon
Their third album and it starts off quite deceptively with the very Yes influenced "Voices Of Babylon' and "My Paradise" which I adore, and although the Jon Anderson influence continues on this more than any other album, it is pretty much back to business as usual with energised Police style pop/rock, they are doing such a great job of carrying on where they left off, I wish more people especially in the UK, gave them the fame they deserved. There may not be so many radio friendly 'hits' on this album but it is probably their most interesting album and my 2nd favourite. It failed to sell as well as the previous two albums, though reaching #53 in the US. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 9:00:30 GMT 1
18 Bad English - Bad English
One of my favourite supergroups fronted by UK singer John Waite and a band made up of many Journey members and ex Babys bandmates of John. I think the US especially were hyped to here John fronting a rock band again and they were a huge success with their second single, the power ballad "When I See You Smile" which was a US charttopper. Of Course John Waites ballads weere going to do well like "Price of Love" and "Possession" but it was just as great to here him rock out on songs like "Forget Me Not" and "Heaven Is a 4 Letter Word". Just gorgeous, perfected AOR rock with some of best musicians and vocalist in the genre. Their debut album reached #21 in the US and #74 in the UK. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 9:11:22 GMT 1
Lets have a crowd pleaser 17 Fine Young Cannibals - The Raw & the Cooked
FYC were just one of those bands you heard on the radio and you thought, they are alright. I never wanted to own any of their music and I could take it or leave it, then they released "She Drives Me Crazy". All I can say a brilliant plan, released in the July lull, it zoomed to #5 in the UK charts and the Paisley park produced track made an even bigger impact in the US, reaching #1 there. All it took was a snare drum hook and a catchy chorus, pop is easy right... It was no fluke either as the album especially the 'Raw' side was stacked with bangers. The Talking Headsish "Good Thing", and the more chilled out tracks "I'm Not the Man I Used to Be" and "I'm Not Satisfied". The 'Cooked' was slightly weaker just enough to keep this out of the top 10 but it leaves you on a high with their previous non album cover of "Ever Fallen In Love" which changes the song so much and makes it brilliant in a totally different way. The record was number one all over the world selling around 5 million worldwide. Sadly this was their last album as part of the band became house producers and Roland Gift concentrated more on acting for awhile. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 9:20:21 GMT 1
16 Texas - Southside
I don't care what anyones days but Texas were never better than on their debut album. Sitting next to bands like Del Amitri and Deacon Blue, Texas like their name were very influenced by US music especially Americana/Roots rock with their Ry Cooder style guitars but they combined this with a brilliant vocalist who recalled Pretenders and Lone Justice. So with all that I had to love them. I saw them live way back then just as 'I Don't Want a Lover' was picking up momentum and looking like it could be a hit, they were supported by another Scottish band Gun, we will hear from them soon. I played this album to death and it was the first record I owned on CD!! "Thrill Has Gone" is probably my favourite again as it sounded like Lone Justice but so many brilliant songs "Everyday Now", "Tell Me Why", "Prayer for You". Great that they made a comeback in the late 90s but they were not really the same then. This album reached #3 in the UK and #86 in the US. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 13:35:50 GMT 1
15 Dan Reed Network - Slam
We have had Red Hot Chili Peppers early but Dan Reed is closer to where they are heading already and making better music in my opinion. This was their third album, I missed their second from 1988 which I have now slotted in at #64 for that year. 'Slam' on paper looked like the one to make them huge. Think it was several bad decisions that stopped that from happening. Firstly 'Tiger in a Dress' was an awful choice for first single and not a shock that it flopped. Then 'Come Back Baby' which is superb but not a single. The singles were obvious 'Slam' which is like a gentler Faith no More. 'Lover' which is a nu-metal ballad 10 years early. 'All My Lovin' was made for MTV and would have been a big cross-over. Then we have the gem of the whole record the gorgeous 'Rainbow Child' which would eventually scrape into the UK top 40. This was their 'Under The Bridge' and they blew it! Anyway, i could rave on forever 'Stronger Than Steel' is a brilliant power ballad as well. And then we have the more INXS sounding 'I'm Lonely, Please Stay' and 'Under My Skin'. Seriously this whole album was mishandled and then just when he was getting close to rock star potential, he shaved his hair off as he didn't want teenage girls screaming at him. Maybe it was all sabotage. A real missed opportunity but an all time, favourite for me. It reached #180 in the US and #66 in the UK. 4.5/5
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Post by TheThorne on Aug 20, 2023 13:54:04 GMT 1
14 Gun - Taking on the World
Then we have the debut album from the Scottish rock band, who show you how it is done. Tour tour tour supporting the most important bands around at the time. then we get you get your first hit support Rolling Stones, Bon Jovi and Def Leppard. I actually saw Gun twice in 1989 first as support for Texas and then on their own where they played in Skye, I did not pay them super attention though as I was busy battling out for a girl. A situation that did not have to happen, think your average Teen drama. Wrong things said to wrong people with too much alcohol. I should have been planning our first proper date with one of the prettiest alternative girls in the 6th year but instead I am trying to keep her away from the 2nd year Student who she crushed on who has finally noticed her. I said it was teen drama lol. Anyway he got the girl which to be fair was the right thing, think they went out for 5 years. I was not signing up for that yet, I just wanted a 'holiday' romance. Phew we went there, well to be fair I can't think of 'Eternal Flame' or Gun without thinking of Jenny and it will be that way forever I guess. You never forget your first proper romantic encounter, yes that was very teen movie as well. Argh lets talk about Gun, it is a brilliant rock album so many great songs "Better Days", "Inside Out", "Money (Everybody Loves Her)", "Shame on You" and the awesome ballad "Taking On the World". I actually saw them a few years ago as well with the new vocalist and he did do these early songs justice. The record reached #44 in the UK. 4.5/5 Oh dear need a break now.
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