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!

In April of 1984 Meat Puppets released their second studio album. Gone are the hardcore roots of the band, opting to embrace their love of psych, country, and just a touch of thrash. The results? One of the finest recording of the 1980s and another feather in the cap of SST. Let’s talk Meat Puppets,…

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!