Partially growing out of their success in the country they were named after, as well as growing friendship and affiliation with such bands as Yellow Magic Orchestra, Japan made their most unique, challenging, and striking album in Tin Drum. It was also the final full studio effort from the group, and what a way to … Read more
“Aural Sculpture” is the eighth album recorded by The Stranglers. It was also the name given to a one-sided 7-inch single given free with a limited number of copies of their Feline album in 1983. The “Aural Sculpture Manifesto” on the 7″ single was played before The Stranglers appeared on stage during concerts during both … Read more
Arena is a live album by Duran Duran, originally released worldwide in 1984 and reissued with two bonus tracks in 2004.
Medusa is the second studio album by Dutch dark wave band Clan of Xymox. It was released on 1 November 1986 by 4AD. Founding member Pieter Nooten re-recorded the songs “After the Call” and “Theme I” on Sleeps with the Fishes, his 1987 collaborative album with Michael Brook, following a brief split from the band. … Read more
Bête Noire (Literally ‘Black Beast’ in French but meaning pet peeve) is an album by British singer Bryan Ferry, released on Virgin Records in November 1987. The album peaked at no.9 in the UK and was certified Gold by the BPI. The track “The Right Stuff” (co-written by Johnny Marr and adapted from The Smiths’ … Read more
Another Step is the fifth studio album by Kim Wilde, released in November 1986. Boasting 12 tracks (13 on the CD and cassette) and a varied team of songwriters, Another Step was an artistic but not necessarily a commercial triumph for Kim. She had co-written more than half of the tracks herself. The first half … Read more
Waking Up with the House on Fire is the third album by New Wave band Culture Club, released in 1984.
“Dreamtime” is the ninth album released by The Stranglers in 1986. The title track was inspired by a belief of the aboriginal peoples of Australia called Dreamtime. The single “Always the Sun” single peaked at No. 30 in the UK Singles Chart. Dreamtime itself reached No. 16 in the UK Albums Chart, the lowest charting … Read more
Snap! is a greatest hits album by The Jam, released in 1983, one year after the group disbanded. The double-album includes all sixteen of the band’s UK singles, plus some B-sides, album tracks and rarities. Stephen Thomas Erlewine of Allmusic called it “one of the greatest greatest-hits albums of all time”.
The Big Express is the seventh studio album by the English band XTC, released in 1984. It was one of XTC’s harder-edged albums, in contrast to the pastoral Mummer and Skylarking which were released in sequence with it. Initial copies of the LP were released in a round sleeve. Working titles considered for the album … Read more