Let’s look back 40 years and begin this year’s best album series. Before we get to the top 10, here are some musical headlines from 1985:
- On January 1st, the VH-1 cable network was launched as a sister station to MTV with an older demographic in mind. Its first video was Marvin Gaye’s version of “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
- The Grammys were held on February 26th, hosted by John Denver. Lionel Richie won Best Album with Can’t Slow Down. Tina Turner’s “What’s Love Got to Do with It” took home Best Song and Best Record. Cyndi Lauper was the Best New Artist.
- David Lee Roth chose April Fools’ Day to leave Van Halen.
- On April 7th, Wham became the first Western pop group to perform in China.
- Madonna began her Virgin Tour on April 10th in Seattle.
- On May 13th, Dire Straits released Brothers in Arms which went on to become the first album to sell more copies on CD than vinyl.
- The Live Aid benefit took the stage on July 13th in Wembley Stadium, London and JFK Stadium, Philadelphia.
Some new wave heavyweights released albums in 1985, but hard rock and alt rock were in the mix, as well. As usual, it was difficult to keep the list at 10 and to determine the order. If I did this again tomorrow, it would probably come out a little differently.
10. New Day Rising/Flip Your Wig by Husker Du – Husker Du’s two solid 1985 albums both deserve commendation. Less trashy noise and more melodic songs than their earlier efforts, but still distorted guitars ringing in your ears. “Celebrated Summer” and “Makes No Sense at All,” respectively make the case.
9. Love by The Cult – The U.K. new wave bands were in their heyday in 1985, but that didn’t stop The Cult from delivering some classic rock complete with the characteristic strut. While a little derivative, the album is consistent rock throughout with a few ballads, as well. But “She Sells Sanctuary” is the band’s apex. One of my all-time “turn it up!” songs and still a fixture in the rock n’ roll library.
8. Psychocandy by The Jesus and Mary Chain – The Jesus and Mary Chain’s debut album was a celebration of harmonic noise. “Just Like Honey,” “Sowing Seeds,” and “You Trip Me Up” are prime examples of the union between guitar feedback and pop melodies.
7. Fables of the Reconstruction by R.E.M. – The ominous opener of R.E.M.’s third LP, “Feeling Gravity’s Pull,” portends that the band is a little darker and murkier than on Murmur and Reckoning. Strings, horns, and banjo are included in the musical story. It’s conceptually coherent in its life-in-the-rural south theme. “Driver 8” conjures up that feeling beautifully.
6. Once Upon a Time by Simple Minds – The commercial peak for Simple Minds, Once Upon a Time is earnest and bombastic. The lyrics might be trite, but songs like “Sanctify Yourself,” “Oh Jungleland” and “All the Things She Said” are rousing pleasures. “Alive and Kicking,” with Robin Clark channeling Merry Clayton, would forever be an arena anthem.
5. Low-Life by New Order – New Order’s third album continues the band’s transition from post-punk to synth-pop. While dreamy melodies are still part of the formula (“The Perfect Kiss”), there’s still room for experimentation, too (the instrumental “Elegia”). The acoustic guitar riff of the opener “Love Vigilantes” is as catchy as they’ll ever be.
4. This is the Sea by The Waterboys – The Waterboys’ third album, and last one with Karl Wallinger (who left to form World Party), is the defining moment for the band. The songs address spirituality (“The Pan Within”), love (“Trumpets”), and English politics (“Old England”). The last and title song employs a flowing river as a life affirming recognition of renewal. “That was the river, this is the sea.” It’s a soaring finale of spiritual grandeur.
3. Tim by The Replacements – The Replacements’ third album was the last with the original line-up and first on a major record label. Tim is a perfect blend of acoustic guitar hooks and ragged garage rock, all accompanied by clever lyrics. There’s the hopeful opener, “Hold My Life,” a punk statement, “Bastards of Young,” and an ode to college radio, “Left of the Dial.” Also, teenage love, “Kiss Me on the Bus,” and the cozy-up-to-the-bar “Here Comes a Regular.” Tim is a treasure.
2. Meat is Murder by The Smiths – Meat is Murder roars out of the starting gate with “The Headmaster Ritual,” a critique of the British educational system amidst a swirl of jangly guitar. “How Soon is Now” became the Smiths’ most enduring song and a staple of Sirius First Wave radio today (curiously, the band’s most popular song is not listed on the album cover but was added to the U.S. release on the vinyl). “Rusholme Ruffians” has a rockabilly vibe, the title song cries for animal rights, “Barbarism Begins at Home” brings the funk, while “That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore” is Morrissey at his most graceful.
1. The Head on the Door by The Cure – Yeah, I know. Guilty. My favorite song by my favorite band is on this album, so it’s going to come out on top. Besides, the breezy acoustic strum and iconic synths of “In Between Days,” the album contains the jovial bass and keys of “Close to Me,” the gothic shoegaze of “Push,” and the sweeping melancholy of “A Night Like This.” “Yesterday I got so old/I felt like I could die/Yesterday I got so old/It made me want to cry.”
Honorable Mention: Some other good 1985 albums from my collection: Little Creatures (Talking Heads), The Dream of the Blue Turtles (Sting), Ain’t Love Grand (X), Boys and Girls (Bryan Ferry), Here’s to Future Days (Thompson Twins) and White City (Pete Townshend).
And a couple of others that I never got around to buying: Songs from the Big Chair (Tears for Fears) and Hounds of Love (Kate Bush).
Trivia: One of the biggest, long running music festivals in the world began in 1985 in what city drawing an audience of 1.5 million and featuring Iron Maiden, The B52’s, Go Go’s, Queen, Rod Stewart, James Taylor, and AC/DC?
Trivia: On January 28, 1985, numerous artists under the group name USA for Africa recorded what song written by Michael Jackson and Lionel Richie.
Answers below
Gotta play one definitive song from 1985, so how ’bout this one…
Trivia Answer #1: The Rock in Rio festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Trivia Answer #2: “We Are the World”
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