My favourite of '85:



Also:



And let's not forget Empire Burlesque

Well, if you've been paying attention to my Listmania over the years, you know Bill Fox is always floating in the top 5. Here's his old group The Mice. Originally For Almost Ever was originally released in 1985, reissued here with Scooter (1986) as well almost two decades later. RIYL early Guided By Voices.

Year I graduated high school in a redneck town. Probably enough said, but I'll dig around.

Some things in my collection that I didn't see above:

I love this album.

RUN DMC - King of Rock

This was probably my first exposure to rap as a small town kid.

This is the album that, IMO, really brought hip hop mainstream and opened tons of doors for the genre.

It's a little tame throught the lens of 25 years of the evolvement of hip hop but it still hits pretty hard at times and is beyond essential.

The title track still brings it and I always liked "You Talk Too Much".

Naked Raygun - Throb Throb

Anthemic hardcore with a message. This was probably the premier Chicago punk band of the 80's. Yes, Big Black included. Their shows were a sweaty, bloody, beer-soaked mess. (I only know by reputation. I never was actually at one. (Ask ayah for a first-hand account.)
What I do know is the music. And, any fan of 80's hardcore has most-likely already heard this stuff. if not, you need to.

Squ!re - The Singles Album
Yeah, it's technically a greatest hits/compilation album. But thing is, Squire's best releases were their singles. Songs like "Walking Down the King's Road" and "Get Ready to Go" should have made them as huge as The Jam. But life isn't always fair. Maybe they were a little too backwards-looking? Still, whenever you can find anything that these guys put out, and if you are a fan of The Who/The Jam/Faces, or any other Mod stuff, check it out. You will most-likely not be disappointed.

Cleaners From Venus - Songs For a Fallow Land

Not Martin's best collection of tunes. But then, as with any Newell release, there is always something on there that makes it worth hearing. In this case, there are first versions of what was soon to be considered a classic Newell song: "Julie Profumo". But then there are other great tunes on there, too. "Sun Comes to the Wood" is a strong album opener, and they do a lovely cover of a Syd Barrett tune -- "Late Night".

Not the best place to begin with Martin Newell, but if you are already among the converted, this is something that you are going to want.

Good call on the Naked Raygun. They were definitely top of the Chicago punk heap in that era. Big Black was a couple years later (although I think by the time they both had records out it was around the same time) and they drew heavily on the jackhammer rhythms of Naked Raygun and shared members. Big Black's Atomizer from 85 was pretty damn good too.

6th grade e-stone was actually rocking these cassettes while everyone else i knew was going nuts for wham!, new edition and michael jackson:




i could honestly listen to and enjoy any of those still today (yes, even the howard jones). hell, i probably still know most of the words to every song....

I state with complete lack of irony, that this is one of the greatest live albums of all time:

Maiden were in the heart of their golden era; they had just released Powerslave, and were close enough to masterpieces like Piece of Mind and Killers, that all those tunes still sound fresh and urgent. Even with Bruce Dickenson having taken over for Paul DiAnno. Actually, Dickenson adds a theatricality to the DiAnno tunes like "Running Free" and "Iron Maiden" that DiAnno could not have imparted on his best days.
A must for metalheads.

always forget how good this album is until i'm listening to it. this one could use a nice deluxe re-issue a la Rattlesnakes....

The first two tracks "Big Saturday" and "Holiday" are arguably his two best songs.



This one has its moments...they opened for Iggy Pop in NYC when he toured Blah Blah Blah. Linkous went on to other things, but I'll always have a fondness for this one.



Their first album sans Stan, and I think it's swell...but then again, I'm a sucker for Andy Prieboy. The lead track "Far Side of Crazy" is a monster.

To me their first two kind of blend together, but that's also because I listen to their BBC sessions a lot.


Maybe not their best but "Repulsion" is one of my favorites by them or anyone and this has long been one of my favorite album covers

There are a couple of really good tracks on that D.J. record. Nice one.

here's a bunch of bad album covers. good year for metal. i'm sure there's albums on here no one wants to hear.

This was '85 as well...if you haven't heard it, do yourself a favor.

GREAT CALL

right up there for me, too

I always loved the video of the title track featuring Larry "Bud" Melman.

Oh shit, I own that Yngwie album.

i'm sure it's just a fond memory i have of it. i doubt it holds up.

You and e-stone have my memories covered. Metal and fucking synth-pop? What was I thinking?

Who knew Charlie Day was a member of the Beat Farmers, & that he is some kind of Dorian Gray ageless wonder?