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  • Best of 1985: The Top Albums From 40 Years Ago

    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”

  • Best of 2004: Top 10 Albums From 20 Years Ago

    It’s always fun for a musical look back across the decades. I have remembered 1994 (Through a 30-Year Lense: Best Albums of 1994:) and 1984 (1984: Top Ten Albums From 40 Years Ago) so far this year. But I’ve never gone back 20 years, so here’s the album highlights from 2004:

    10. Contraband by Velvet Revolver/Now Here is Nowhere by Secret Machines: Hey, what’s wrong with a guilty pleasure? Velvet Revolver may come off as a manufactured supergroup of Guns N’ Roses and Stone Temple Pilots. But the rockers rock, especially the propulsive single “Slither,” and the ballads shine, particularly the soaring “Fall to Pieces.” I witnessed a rock star night at the Santa Barbara Bowl in April 2005. The album may be a little polished, but in ’04 it sure beat waiting around for Chinese Democracy.

    I’ve previously acknowledged the cool Secret Machines band (Six Overlooked Bands for You to Check Out). Their debut album, with brothers Benjamin and Brandon Curtis at the helm, introduced this spacey, tight trio. They counter the pounding rhythm of “Sad and Lonely” with delicate keys on “Leaves Are Gone.” Benjamin left the band in 2007 for the School of Seven Bells and died of lymphoma in 2013. The Secret Machines released The Moth, The Lizard, and the Secret Machines in 2023 and continue today as a duo.

    9. Future Perfect by Autolux: The debut by these relatively unknown Angelenos is a treat. I discovered them as the opening act for Nine Inch Nails in 2005. The hazy reverb and distortion in the hands of surprising producer T-Bone Burnett makes for an inviting house of shoegaze. It’s an album made to listen to in its entirety, but if you want to check out a couple songs try “Blanket” and “Here Comes Everybody.”

    8. The Cure by The Cure: As I continue to wait for the “new” Cure album (4 years and running), it was good to revisit this again. While there are a few upbeat tracks (“Before Three,” “Taking Off,” and “The End of the World”) overall, The Cure is bleak, harsh, and dense. Songs like “Lost,” “The Promise,” and “Us or Them” are full of angst.

    7. Antics by Interpol: Interpol was facing high expectations for the follow-up to its impressive debut, Turn on the Bright Lights. No sophomore slump here. Antics is throbbing and stark. Despite the jarring darkness, there are lighter moments, even sing-along songs. As I witnessed first-hand at the Vina Robles Amphitheater in 2022, “Evil” (“Rosemary…Heaven restores you in light”) and “Slow Hands” (“We spies, We slow hands, You put the weights all around yourself”) can bring the house down.

    6. Hot Fuss by The Killers: The Vegas band had a huge first album with Hot Fuss. Three big singles – “Mr. Brightside,” “Somebody Told Me,” and “Smile Like You Mean It” – were hard not to hear. It’s unabashedly commercial and ready made for arenas. But it’s worthy of commendation when the rock is infectious like these songs. I don’t think they’ve been able to reach these heights again.

    5. American Idiot by Green Day: After the commercial disappointment of 2000’s Warning, Green Day took a big swing with an ambitious punk rock opera. The story of an American adolescent anti-hero, American Idiot combines smashing guitar riffs with socio-political commentary. The title song, “Jesus of Suburbia,” “Holiday,” “Wake Me Up When September Ends,” and “The Boulevard of Broken Dreams” took the record to #1 on the Billboard 200 and 6x Platinum certified.

    4. How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb by U2: “Unos, dos, tres, catorce,” the Edge’s slamming guitar while shouting “Hola!” to Bono’s retort “Hello, Hello.” If there’s a more irresistible opening track than “Vertigo,” let me know. The mixture of rockers and ballads addresses life, death, love, war, faith, and family. “City of Blinding Lights” is uplifting with its soaring piano and chorus, “Oh, you look so beautiful tonight.” The album won all eight categories it was nominated for at the Grammys.

    3. Franz Ferdinand by Franz Ferdinand: The Glasgow quartet made a splash with its self-titled debut. Songs like “The Dark Side of the Matinee,” “This Fire,” and “Michael” exhibit the band’s funky punk. But “Take Me Out” is the highlight of the album and a song for the decade. Its mid-song tempo switch with the dueling guitar riff and vocal melody is simply fantastic.

    2. You Are the Quarry by Morrissey: Morrissey ended a seven-year hiatus with this entertaining collection of songs. It’s his living-in-America statement. No one is safe from Morrissey’s cutting wit. But lovely melodies prevail in such songs as “I’m Not Sorry,” “I Like You,” and “Come Back to Camden.”

    1. Funeral by Arcade Fire: Montreal’s Arcade Fire had recently lost several family members. You could expect their debut album to be solemn and sad. Instead, it’s empowering and healing. Art rock wrapped in emotional ambiance. The strings on “Rebellion (Lies)” make it the album’s anthem. “With my lightin’ bolts a glowin’, I can see where I’m goin’ says the life-affirming “Wake Up.” Funeral purrs and hollers, all in a euphoric bubble.

    As usual, coming up with this list was a toss-up, not the top 10 so much, but the order. On another day, it would probably come out differently.

    Other noteworthy albums of 2004 include Wilco’s A Ghost is Born, Patti Smith’s Trampin’, and PJ Harvey’s Uh Huh Her. This might be the only year where a R.E.M. album doesn’t make the top 10, but Around the Sun is the weakest of their career.

    Top songs of 2004? “Vertigo” and “Take Me Out” are my top two along with this one by Interpol, “Slow Hands.”

  • Through a 30-Year Lense: Best Albums of 1994:

    Time for another journey back in time. Here’s some memorable musical moments from 1994:

    • The Grammy for Album of the Year went to the soundtrack of Bodyguard with Whitney Houston’s cover of “I Will Always Love You” claiming Best Song.
    • Kurt Cobain died.
    • The Smashing Pumpkins headlined the reopening of the Fillmore in San Francisco.
    • Aerosmith, Nine Inch Nails, Bob Dylan, CS&N, Red Hot Chile Peppers, Green Day, Peter Gabriel, and more, played the Woodstock ’94 concert in Saugerties, NY.
    • Pearl Jam filed a complaint against Ticketmaster charging them with operating a monopoly (some things never change).

    Here’s my favorite albums of 1994:

    10. Neil Young – Sleeps with Angels: While his classic rock brothers were receding in the public conscious, Neil Young was on a roll in the early ’90s – Freedom, Ragged Glory, and Harvest Moon. He goes all in with Sleeps with Angels, a double album including a 14-minute rambling juxtaposition, “Change Your Mind.” It’s a foreboding, subdued collection with Neil playing the marimbas, vibes, synths, and even the flute on two songs. The title song is in honor of Cobain. Later on he lets us know what he really thinks of the world in “Piece of Crap.”

    9. Pavement – Crooked Rain, Crooked Rain: Pavement’s second album is a little more accessible than their lo-fi debut, Slanted and Enchanted. It’s still rough around the edges, however. The three singles lead the way from the country-folk of “Range Life,” the ringing guitars of “Gold Soundz,” and the delightful, catchy “Cut Your Hair.” It remains influential to this day.

    8. Grant Lee Buffalo – Mighty Joe Moon: A criminally overlooked band of the ’90s, Grant Lee Buffalo’s second album layers an array of keys and string instruments over emotive storytelling and singing. They rock with a warm feeling of Americana. “Lone Star Song” is big and brash just like the state while “It’s the Life” is the sweetest song you’ll ever hear about jealousy and resentment.

    7. Jeff Buckley – Grace: Jeff Buckley tragically drowned a few years after the release of his only album. Highlighted by the definitive cover of Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah,” the record is just plain beautiful. So unlike any other album of its time. His voice is divine, the range incredible. The strings, bass, and romantic heartbreak of “Last Goodbye” combine into Buckley’s most popular song.

    6. R.E.M. – Monster: R.E.M. fans…do you remember your first listen to Monster? Whoa, what happened to the strumming acoustics and swelling piano of Out of Time and Automatic for the People? From the loud, distorted guitars of the opener, “What’s the Frequency, Kenneth?” it was clear that R.E.M. was ready to rock. “Crushed with Eyeliner” and “Bang and Blame” keep the party going as Michael Stipe’s muffled vocals and sly lyrics point to a band having a whole lot of fun.

    5. Pearl Jam – Vitalogy: Vitalogy has punk (“Whipping”), hard rock (“Not for You”), and ballads (“Better Man”). It’s an uneven collection. Three or four bizarre songs keep it from being in a loftier position. “Corduroy” makes sure it’s on the best-of list.

    4. Green Day – Dookie: Green Day’s third album and major label debut was a colossal smash putting punk in the mainstream. Of course, with a more polished sound, they were accused of being sell-outs. But who can argue with “Longview,” “Basket Case,” “Welcome to Paradise,” and “When I Come Around”? A ray of sun beamed down on the mosh pit.

    3. Lush – Split: While Lush’s music packs more of a punch than their shoegaze counterparts, Cocteau Twins, they are defined by the ethereal vocals of Miki Berenyi and Emma Anderson. “Desire Lines,” “Hypocrite” and “Lit Up” are indeed lush. My favorite is “Lovelife.” Sparkling. Majestic. Bring on the goosebumps.

    2. Hole – Live Through This: One week after the death of Kurt Cobain, Hole’s second album was released with Courtney Love blasting it off with “And the sky was made of amethyst, And all the stars were just like little fish, You should learn when to go, You should learn how to say no.” “Violet” remains her pinnacle, but “Doll Parts,” “Plump,” and “Miss World” showcase the album’s fine blend of acoustic and electric. Hole may be more melodic and less hardcore than on their debut but Love still knows how to screech.

    1. Oasis – Definitely Maybe: When the first song of your first album is titled “Rock N Roll Star,” you better have some swagger. Oasis had that in spades. There’s not a bad song on Definitely Maybe. “Supersonic,” “Slide Away,” “Live Forever,” “Shakermaker,” and “Cigarettes and Alcohol” pour on the guitar hooks, dance beats, and memorable choruses. Part glam, a little punk, and a dash of psychedelia. Over the years, Oasis would lose some of their luster and the feud between the brothers would become tiresome. But in 1994, they brought us a sound we’d never heard before.

    Trivia: Who replaced bassist Bill Wyman in the Rolling Stones in 1994?

    Answer below

    Honorable Mentions: I kept the best-of list to studio LPs, thus precluding Alice in Chains’ excellent EP Jar of Flies and Nirvana’s remarkable live album, MTV Unplugged in New York. Other notable 1994 albums from my collection are Love Spit Love (Love Spit Love), Whip Smart (Liz Phair), The Downward Spiral (Nine Inch Nails), Parklife (Blur), Guided by Voices (Bee Thousand), and Brutal Youth (Elvis Costello). I have all of Morrissey’s except for 1994’s Vauxhall and I, so I can’t speak to that. And I still want to pick up Tom Petty’s Wildflowers one of these days, often heralded as his best.

    Answer: Darryl Jones. (He also played with Miles Davis and Sting and is still a member of the Stones.)

  • 1984: Top Ten Albums From 40 Years Ago

    Time for another look back. 1984 was an eventful year in music:

    • Thriller won the Album and Record of the Year at the Grammys with “Every Breath You Take” claiming Song of the Year.
    • The Pretenders’ Chrissie Hynde married Jim Kerr of Simple Minds.
    • The first MTV Video Music Awards were held with The Cars’ “You Might Think” taking Video of the Year. Madonna’s racy performance of “Like a Virgin” was the attention-grabbing moment of the Awards.
    • The first CD manufacturing plant opened in North America; Springsteen’s Born in the U.S.A. was first off the press.
    • Band Aid’s single “Do They Know it’s Christmas?” was recorded in London.
    • Tipper Gore formed the Parents Music Resource Center after hearing Prince’s Purple Rain coming out of her daughter’s bedroom.
    • Rick Allen, Def Leppard’s drummer, lost his arm in a car crash on New Year’s Eve.

    Sometimes I go into making these lists with a clear favorite (or two or three), in mind, but not this time. While there were some fine albums released in 1984, upon reflection, there were no definitive albums of the year for me. Some of my favorite bands put out records in ’84, but they don’t stand among their best work. A few had a huge impact 40 tears ago, but it was fleeting, and doesn’t stand the test of time that well. So, the order of this list was a toss-up. Ask me tomorrow and it would be different, but here it is today:

    10. Into the Gap by the Thompson Twins: Hey, it’s 1984! We got to have a synth band with drum machines and big hair, don’t we? Add a little Eastern vibe, piano, marimba, harmonica and xylophone to the mix and the Twins define the new wave era as well as anyone. “Hold Me Now,” “Doctor, Doctor,” and “You Take Me Up” were undeniably catchy.

    9. All Over the Place by The Bangles: The Bangles would reach their commercial peak with the next album, Different Light (“Manic Monday” and “Walk Like an Egyptian”). Their debut All Over the Place shimmers with jangly guitars and exquisite four-part harmonies. “Hero Takes a Fall” showcases the retro pop rock flavor. The band covered Katrina and the Waves for the album’s other single “Going Down to Liverpool.” The song’s video with Leonard Nimoy as the band’s chauffeur set them up for the coming success.

    8. New Sensations by Lou Reed: Lou Reed’s 13th solo album is another ode to NYC and comes wrapped in a warm, uplifting package. The positive pop of opening track “I Love You Suzanne” reveals Reed in a happy place. “My Red Joystick” is actually cheesy. The title song’s punchy bass line and Reed’s droning chorus make it the signature track.

    7. Red Sails in the Sunset by Midnight Oil: Tucked in between their breakout album (10,9,8…) and their global smash (Diesel and Dust), Midnight Oil’s 5th album is not as confident as the power and passion of the previous album or the driving acoustic and indelible harmonies of the next effort. But there are still some moving acoustic numbers and strident statements. The band’s underlying environmental themes are well established at this point (the cover depicts Sydney Harbor after a nuclear disaster.) And there’s the didgeridoo! No band reflects their home country so completely as Midnight Oil. When I visited Australia in 2020, you could feel them.

    6. Mirror Moves by the Psychedelic Furs: On their 4th album, the Furs continued to move away from their early punk influences to a more pop sound. Three radio-friendly tunes – “Heartbeat,” “Heaven,” and “The Ghost in You” – became MTV staples. Other songs like “Alice’s House” and “Only a Game” maintained a rough edge led as always by the gravelly snarl of Richard Butler.

    5. Zen Arcade by Husker Du: Husker Du’s second album has grown on me thanks to Pop Transmission reader BrianS, as well as how it stands out in comparison to other albums of 1984. It’s a double album, comprised of short songs (with the exception of the closing 14-minute instrumental thrash fest), with most of them being first takes. There are a few brief softer melodic moments with interludes of piano and acoustic guitar but make no mistake…this is an incessant sledgehammer of sound.

    4. Hyaena by Siouxsie and the Banshees: “Dazzle” does just that as it opens Hyaena with lush strings and preps us for the Siouxsie siren. The biggest hit was a surprisingly innovative cover of “Dear Prudence.” “Belladonna” and “Pointing Bone” sound Cure-like which was no accident since Robert Smith himself was a full member of the Banshees on a break from his band. Extra points for me!

    3. Sparkle in the Rain by Simple Minds: The Scottish rockers 6th album had more guitar than its synthy predecessor (New Gold Dream (81-82-83-84) and more grit than its polished successor (Once Upon a Time). Album highlights “On the Waterfront” and “Up on the Catwalk” are powerful statements, while “East of Easter” exudes a regal grace. A cover of Lou Reed’s “Street Hassle” changes it up.

    2. Reckoning by R.E.M: How would R.E.M. tackle the dreaded sophomore record after taking over college campuses with “Radio Free Europe” and Murmur? Reckoning is darker in subject matter, with much of the imagery evoking water. The record was specifically recorded to capture the band’s live performances. “Pretty Persuasion” delivers sublime pop, “(Don’t Go Back to) Rockville” brings home the country with its active piano, “So. Central Rain (I’m Sorry)” puts us into folk americana, and “Harborcoat” transcends with its rousing chorus. R.E.M. was here to stay.

    1. The Unforgettable Fire by U2: While my U2 luster has dimmed a bit over the years, they were one of my very favorites for years (I had my brother crank “It’s a Beautiful Day” while driving me to my wedding.) Their 4th album is more atmospheric than the harder rock of War. Some songs are missing a key ingredient and feel incomplete. But the shimmering richness of “Bad,” “A Sort of Homecoming,” and the title song elevate it for me. And then there’s “Pride (In the Name of Love”). “Early morning, April four/Shot rings out in the Memphis sky/Free at last, they could not take your life/They could not take your pride.” That still gets me.

    As always, these lists are comprised of albums that I’ve owned for years and became very familiar with. That’s why 1984 albums, such as The Smiths (The Smiths), Born in the U.S.A. (Bruce Springsteen), 1984 (Van Halen), and Purple Rain (Prince) were not considered.

    1984 Trivia: On its SING BLUE SILVER tour in 1984, what band became the first to utilize live video cameras and screens in their show?

    1984 Trivia #2: What band dominated in 1984, particularly in the UK after its debut single was banned by the BBC? Name the band and song. (Hint: The band’s name was based on an advertisement for the first Frank Sinatra movie.)

    Answers below.

    1984 Honorable Mention: The Kinks Word of Mouth and this song’s later repeated use in the “University” episode of The Sopranos, becoming a signature moment in the series.

    Trivia Answers: 1) Duran Duran and 2) Frankie Goes to Hollywood, “Relax”