In January of 1986 Big Black released their debut album. A shot across the bow for what was considered extreme music at the time, the record is an all out aural assault. Chicago industrial has arrived. Let’s talk Big Black, Atomizer!

In 1985 The Mekons released their 4th studio album. Robert Christgau: “Just when I never wanted to hear a roots-rock record again, along come these British anarchists with a sort of concept album sort of about life during wartime. The Americans are clearing a sector down south, but that doesn’t stop the good guys from…

In June of 1985 Prefab Sprout released their second studio album. Produced by Thomas Dolby (Booker T. Boffin for those in the know), the album has been praised by critics as a “shimmering jazz-pop masterpiece” that is “buttressed by a phenomenal rhythm section and fairy-dusted with Wendy Smith’s breathy harmonies”. Let’s talk Prefab Sprout, Steve…

*quick editor’s note: we’ve still got mixer gremlin issues for these next two episodes, recommend playing at 1.5x speed, sorry for the inconvenience. In May of 1985 Dire Straits released their 5th studio album. Though initially spanned by critics upon its release, album would go on to be their biggest selling, spawning five singles, spending…

In February of 1985 Tears for Fears released their second studio album. The record is a pop masterpiece that spawned six singles, and would go on to achieve multiple times platinum sales on both sides of the Atlantic. Let’s talk Tears for Fears, Songs From the Big Chair!

In October of 1985 A-Ha released their debut studio album. The album launched the band into superstardom, spawned five singles, won accolades for their innovative music video for Take On Me. Let’s talk A-Ha, Hunting High and Low!

Let’s talk Abdullah Ibramin, Water From an Ancient Well!

In September of 1985 The Fall released their 8th studio album. Recorded between June & July of the same year, it is widely considered to be one of the band’s finest outings. Let’s talk The Fall, This Nation’s Saving Grace!

In June of 1984 Bruce Springsteen released his 7th studio album. The follow up his subdued and minimal master piece, Nebraska, Springsteen opted for the bombast of his earlier works and in the process created one of the best, best selling records of all time. Let’s talk Bruce Springsteen, Born in the USA!

MP3 Audio [32 MB]DownloadShow URL Youssou N’dour’s 1984 album, Immigrés, is a musical ode to the Senegalese diaspora. The album was released at a time when Senegal was experiencing a wave of emigration, and N’dour’s songs spoke to the experiences of those who had left their homeland in search of a better life.

In October of 1984 Lloyd Cole and the Commotions released their debut album. Written at Glasgow Golf Club (where Lloyd’s father was Club Master) and recorded at The Garden studio in Shoreditch, the record is a concept of sorts about what people do when they are in love. Lets talk Lloyd Cole and the Commotions,…

In July of 1984 the Minutemen released their third album. Named in reaction to the Sammy Hagar anthem, “I Can’t Drive 55”, the double album spans 45 songs in just 81 minutes. “Our band could be your life Real names’d be proof Me and Mike Watt, we played for years Punk Rock changed our lives”…

In May of 1984 Echo & the Bunnymen released their 4th studio album. Written in 1983 and almost entirely recorded in Paris using a 35 piece orchestra, the record received mixed reviews upon it’s release due in apart to it’s seemingly abandoning the rock roots of prior recordings. Let’s talk Echo & the Bunnymen, Ocean…

In May of 1984 Tina Turner released her 5th studio album. After being dropped from United five years earlier due to the poor reception of her album Love Explosion, A&R rep John Carter of Capitol Records spearheaded Tina’s comeback. Setting her R&B pedigree aside, the album tracks gracefully maneuver between uptempo pop, full on ballads,…

In March of 1984 The Style Council released their official debut album. Meandering through whatever genre’s they deemed fit, the band created a real hodgepodge production that showed off just how much more Paul Weller and co. had to offer than rock n roll. Let’s talk The Style Council, Café Bleu!

In October of 1982 The Replacements released their third studio album. It is rightfully considered one of the greatest albums ever made and a reminder of what could have been if the band had ever managed to get their act together. Lets shoot for the middle and talk The Replacements, Let It Be!

In June of 1984 Prince released his 6th studio album. This time around The Revolution not only got credit on the album but actually played their instruments. It is the most commercially successful record he would ever make, spawning five singles and selling over 25,000,000 copies worldwide. Let’s talk Prince, Purple Rain!

In January of 1984 Van Halen released their 6th studio album. Though some in the band disagreed, Eddie Van Halen’s decision to throw off the shackles of pure guitar rock and embrace the synthesizer as a lead instrument proved to be both a bold and wise move, as it would get them to the top…

In April of 1983 Minor Threat released their only studio album. Clocking in just north of twenty one minutes over the course of nine tracks, the album is a blisteringly fast DC hardcore assault with some surprising pop hooks peppered in. It is single-handedly responsibly for the straight edge movement, which in turn makes it…

In November of 1984 Cocteau Twins released their 3rd studio album. Recorded in August and September of the same year, the record is a departure from their post punk roots and is one of the finest dream pop records ever pressed to wax. Let’s talk Cocteau Twins, Treasure!

In July of 1984 Sade released their debut album. Recorded over six weeks at Power Plant Studios with Robin Millar helming the board, the record would go on to spawn four singles, win Best British Album at the Brit Awards, and sell over ten million copies, making it the best selling album by a British…

In March of 1984 Run DMC released their debut album. Breaking down the genre to it’s bare bones, the group opted to keep the beats tighter and rhymes harder than anyone had done yet. The results? The first rap album to hit gold status, the creation of the rap/rock genre, and the opening salvo of…

In October of 1984 Frankie Goes to Hollywood released their debut studio album. Spanning four sides, and with producer Trevor Horn flexing complete control over the final product, the album is a testament to 80s excess. Let’s talk Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Welcome to The Pleasure Dome!

In October of 1983 Culture Club released their second studio album. Preceded by their smash hit Karma Chameleon, the record would go on to sell over ten million copies worldwide and became a touchstone of 80s pop music. Let’s talk Culture Club, Colour by Numbers!