1001 Album Club

In February of 1982 Haircut One Hundred released their debut album. The record would go on to spawn three hit singles, hit number two on the UK charts, and moved over three hundred thousand units on the island; but is it any good? Let’s talk Haircut One Hundred – Pelican West!

In October of 1982 Donald Fagen released his debut solo album. After Steely Dan split the year prior, Fagen got back into the studio and with a slew of who’s who session musicians, he proceeded to make the most personal recording of his career. Let’s talk Donald Fagen, The Nightfly!

In November of 1982 Madness released their fourth studio album. Considered by many to be their best work, the album showcases just how great the band was as writers and players. Let’s talk Madness, The Rise & Fall!

In September of 1982 Simple Minds released their 5th studio album. Recorded over a five month period at Rockfield Studios, Jim Kerr has stated that it was a time where everything they tried seemed to work. The album would go on to spawn three singles, peak at number 69 (nice) on the US Billboard 200, and be certified Platinum in the UK. Let’s talk Simple Minds, New Gold Dream!

In July of 1982 Dexys Midnight Runners released their sophomore outing. Dressed in the finest of oogle fashions, Kevin Rowland and crew set-off to take over the pop charts. With the addition of strings to their Northern Soul sound, the band proceeded to do just that. Let’s talk Dexys Midnight Runners, Too-Rye-Ay!

Robert Dimery is here and talking to the group about his new book  MusicQuake: The Most Disruptive Moments in Music and 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.  You can purchase at OUR (Louisville) local independent book store Carmichael’s or through your local bookstore and yes if you must it is on Amazon along with Robert’s other books  https://www.amazon.co.uk/Robert-Dimery/e/B00HZILYAU?ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_2&qid=1667211227&sr=8-2 https://www.amazon.com/Robert-Dimery/e/B00HZILYAU You can find the Spotify playlist to go along with the book here https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2LtQE8H18dri97gxSJJXHq?si=0e8f1b22eea94fec

We are halfway done, huzzah! In May of 1982 The Cure released their 4th studio album. Touring 200 days a year, heavy drug use, and suicidal ideation are the key ingredients to the dour outing. The album’s sound has been described as “Phil Spector in Hell”. Let’s talk The Cure, Pornography!

In July of 1982 Elvis Costello & The Attractions released their 6th studio album, together. The first to not be produced by Nick Lowe and recorded between November of 1981 and March of 1982 at AIR studios, this aural outing is considered by most to be a high water mark in a career consisting of only high water marks. Lets talk Elvis Costello & The Attractions, Imperial Bedroom!

In October of 1982 Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five released their debut album. It’s an important one. Let’s talk Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five, The Message!

In October of 1982 Prince released his 5th studio album. The double LP was the first recording to feature The Revolution as his backing band, cementing the Minneapolis sound as the future of 80s funk, and has been hailed as one of the best albums of the decade. Let’s talk Prince, 1999!

In June of 1982 ABC released their debut studio album. Produced by Trevor Horn, the record would go on to spawn four singles, hit number one on the UK charts, and was very well received by critics. Let’s talk ABC, The Lexicon of Love!

In November of 1981 ABBA released their 8th studio album. With Benny and Frida’s relationship hitting the skids, the record takes a darker tone than previous outings. The recording stood to be their last until the release of Voyage in 2021, four decades later. Let’s talk ABBA, The Visitors!

In February of 1981 Rush released their 8th studio album. Recorded in October and November of 1980 at Le Studio in Morin Heights, the record would go on to spawn three singles, a Grammy nomination, and was their highest selling album, stateside. Let’s talk Rush, Moving Pictures!

In October of 1981 Tom Tom Club released their debut album. When your lead singer writes you out of the song writing credits on the last album, whats a rhythm section to do? If your Tina Weymouth & Chris Frantz you call up one the best guitarists alive, Adrian Belew, head on down to the Bahamas, and make one of the greatest albums of the 1980s. Let’s talk Tom Tom Club, Tom Tom Club!

In October of 1981 Bauhaus released their 2nd studio album. Expanding their sonic palette with the addition of keyboards and acoustic guitars, the band managed to one up themselves in what is arguably their best work. Let’s talk Bauhaus, Mask!

In late August of 1981 The Gun Club released their debut album on Ruby Records. Taking their cues from such blues luminaries as Robert Johnston but adding in the fury of punk into the mix, Jeffery Lee Pierce and co. trail-blazed the way for other stripped down roots rock, blues punk, cow punk, et al, still to this day. Let’s talk The Gun Club, Fire of Love!

In October of 1981 The Human League released their third studio album. Following the exit of former bandmates Glen Gregory and Martyn Ware, Philip Oakey managed to put together a ragtag group of backup dancers, a former Scottish punk guitarists cum keyboardist, and studio session musician hired on full-time that went on to become a worldwide hits machine. Let’s talk The Human League, Dare!

In June of 1981 The Psychedelic Furs unleashed their sophomore studio outing. Robert Christgau: “It’s richer melodically, texturally, and emotionally. I loved the first Furs album because it seemed so disposable; I love this one because it doesn’t.” Let’s talk The Psychedelic Furs, Talk Talk Talk!

In May of 1981 X released their sophomore album. Fusing the high energy speed of punk w/ one foot still playing in the r&b, rockabilly, roots, and country sandbox, the resulting thirteen tracks are a Wild Gift, indeed. Let’s talk X, Wild Gift! (most humble apologies fro the crackle at the beginning of this podcast, it does go away.)

In December of 1981 Black Flag released their debut album. Though largely ignored upon its release by critics, the album is now considered and absolute classic of American Hardcore and the band itself paved the way that future DIY and indie bands would tour for years to come. Let’s talk Black Flag, Damaged!

In February of 1981 David Byrne and Brian Eno released their first album as a collaborative duo. Recorded before the Talking Heads, Remain in Light, it was shelved for a year on account of sample clearance issues. On the cusp of sampling’s 80s revolution, Eno’s love of tape loops are taken to their logical next step, while Byrne’s Afrobeat and Funk Rock leanings keep butts shaking. Let’s talk David Byrne & Brian Eno, My Life in The Bush of Ghosts!

In February of 1980 OMD released their third studio album. Taking inspiration from religious music, the band made use of chorale samples, the Mellotron, melodica and variety of other instruments to create the record’s beautifully lush sound. Let’s talk Orchestral Manoeuvres in The Dark, Architecture and Morality!

In November of 1981 Soft Cell released their debut album. Made on a tight budget, the band purportedly recorded almost entirely on a ReVox tape recorder. With a borrowed drum machine, a Korg bass synth, and producer Mike Thorne’s Synclavier, the band created a true synth pop classic. Let’s talk Soft Cell, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret!