In February of 1983 U2 released their 3rd studio album. It was the most overtly political musical statement to date by the band, with Sunday Bloody Sunday to this day being considered one of the best protest songs ever written. The album would finally unseat Thriller from the number one spot on the UK charts…

In January of 1983 Eurythmics released their second studio album. It became the record that broke them out on both sides of the pond. Let’s talk Eurythmics, Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)!

In late March of 1983 ZZ Top released their eighth studio album. Every dang track is a stone cold classic and the album would go on to achieve diamond sales status. But is it really a Billy Gibbons solo record in disguise? Let’s talk ZZ Top, Eliminator!

In February of 1983 Echo and the Bunnymen released their 3rd studio album. Though initially panned by critics the album would go on to be their best selling to date and eventually reach gold status in sales. It’s also maybe there best record? Let’s talk Echo and the Bunnymen, Porcupine!

In November of 1983 Paul Simon released his 6th studio album. Entering into his fourth decade, Paul found himself in a rut. His vanity movie project One-Trick Pony was a commercial flop, the reunion concert with former band mate showed just why they broke up in the first place, and his pending divorce from Carrie…

In October of 1983 Cyndi Lauper released her debut album. The album is a pop masterpiece and has gone on to sell over 16 million copies worldwide. Let’s talk Cyndi Lauper, She’s So Unusual!

In May of 1983 Hanoi Rocks released their fourth studio album. These Finnish street urchins w/ the help of ex-Mott The Hoople alum Dale Griffen and Peter Watts production, made Glam Metal a thing and inspired the Sunset Strip crowd to step up their game. Let’s talk Hanoi Rocks, Back to Mystery City!

In April of 1984 The Blue Nile released their debut album. Linn Electronics had a conundrum, the hi-fi equipment they made was just too good to demo previously recorded artists. Their solution was to start a record label and give three art school kids studio time. Let’s talk The Blue Nile, A Walk Across the…

In October of 1983 The The released their debut album. NME’s Don Johnson: “In days when the pop song has been reduced to the reiteration of catch-phrases, Matt Johnson flexes a rare literary flair. More importantly he has the command of music’s immense possibilities to carry them through without self-indulgence. Ignore this LP if you…

In January of 1983 Def Leppard released their 3rd studio album. With engineering wizard Mutt Lange having complete control over the writing and recording, over the course of 10 grueling months in 1982 the band would create an otherworldly sounding record that set the high watermark for all hard rock to come. Let’s talk Def…

In May of 1983 British taste maker, Malcolm McLaren, released this album. It is the very definition of cultural appropriation but incidentally maybe started a trend that eventually led to the west caring about apartheid? Let’s talk Malcolm McLaren, Duck Rock!

In April of 1983 Violent Femmes released their debut album. The record has been included on many a critics best of the 80s list and would go on to sell over a million copies. The tunes aren’t bad either. Lets talk Violent Femmes, Violent Femmes!

In the year of our lord, 1982, Duran Duran released their sophomore studio outing. The album was not received well at all by critics of the day with NME saying it was “a sweet, lumpy pudding of a noise” and Record Mirror chiming in with, “thoroughly competent and yet bereft of the soul, passion and…

In March of 1982 Iron Maiden released their 3rd studio album. With the drug abuse related ouster of singer Paul Di’Anno heralded the arrival of the angel voiced former Samson vocalist, Bruce Dickinson, to fill the void. With his distinct “air raid” siren song added to Steve Harris’s incredible compositions, the band made Heavy Metal…

In May of 1982 Associates released their sophomore album. The record peaked at #10 on the British charts and was named by Melody Maker as album of the year. Let’s talk Associates, Sulk!

In September of 1982 Bruce Springsteen released his 6th studio album. Initially written as scratch tracks for the E Street Band and subsequently declined, The Boss eschewed the bombast of his past outings and after digging in his pockets for the only copy of the tape in existence released his most raw and intimate album…

In November of 1982 Venom changed the face of Heavy Metal, forever. Let’s talk Venom, Black Metal!

In May of 1982 The Birthday Party released their 3rd studio album. Inspired by Southern Gothic imagery, the record has been described as a “scuzzy masterpiece” and was No. 17 in the book, 100 Best Australian Albums. Let’s talk The Birthday Party, Junkyard!

In late November of 1982 Michael Jackson released his sixth studio album. Seven singles and worldwide sales of seventy million copies later, the record has cemented itself as a cultural phenom. Lets talk Michael Jackson, Thriller!

In November of 1982 Orange Juice released their sophomore outing. Lets talk Orange Juice, Rip It Up!

In September of 1982 Kate Bush released her 4th studio album. Written, recorded, and self produced over two years time, the record is an experimental work of genius. Making significant use of the Fairlight CMI, the album’s sound is still fresh these many years later. Though considered a commercial flop on it’s release, it’s continued…

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!