The Crossing is the first studio album released by Scottish band Big Country. The album reached #3 in the UK; overseas, it hit #4 in Canada on the RPM national Top Albums Chart and #18 in the US on the Billboard 200 in 1983. It went on to be certified platinum in the UK and … Read more
Underneath the Colours is Australian rock group INXS’ second album. It was released in Australia in 1981. It was with this album that Michael Hutchence’s songwriting started to mature and the band started to find a unique sound. Included were political songs and their very first ballad. It was released outside Australia and New Zealand … Read more
Divided in half, with one side of catchy pop tunes and one side devoted to a 16-minute space blues workout called “Macho City,” the design of Circle of Love feels like a throwback to 1971, when people truly paid attention to the flow of an album. In 1981, it was a bit of anachronism, but … Read more
Afterburner is the ninth studio album by American blues rock band ZZ Top, released in 1985 (see 1985 in music). Afterburner was a financial success, going several times platinum and launching several hit singles. The most successful single released from this album was “Sleeping Bag”, which peaked at No. 1 on the Mainstream Rock Tracks … Read more
“Jinx” Released 2 May 1982 is the ninth studio release by the Irish musician Rory Gallagher. After Gallagher got a chance for rest and recharged his batteries, he decided to revamp his backing band by going back to a four-piece and added keyboardist Bob Andrews, as well as new drummer Brendan O’Neill. Jinx his first … Read more
Hard Promises is the fourth album by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers released in May, 1981. Its original working title was Benmont’s Revenge, referring to the band’s keyboard player, Benmont Tench. The album features guest vocals from Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac on the duet “Insider.” The Heartbreakers also recorded the hit “Stop Draggin’ My … Read more
Shake It Up is the fourth studio album by American rock band The Cars, released in 1981. It was the last album by the Cars to be produced by Roy Thomas Baker. A much more pop-oriented album than its predecessor, its title track became their first Billboard top ten hit.
Adding a new rhythm guitarist, Dire Straits expands its sounds and ambitions on the sprawling Love Over Gold. In a sense, the album is their prog rock effort, containing only five songs, including the 14-minute opener “Telegraph Road.” Since Mark Knopfler is a skilled, tasteful guitarist, he can sustain interest even throughout the languid stretches, … Read more
Everybody’s Crazy is the fourth studio album by American recording artist Michael Bolton. The melodic hard rock/AOR album was released in 1985 by Columbia Records. The lead guitarist on the album is Bruce Kulick, later of KISS fame. The title track was a minor hit on hard rock radio stations, and was also featured in … Read more
Because it contains its share of memorable and inspired material — and even a few gems — it seems inappropriate to call Tina Turner’s Break Every Rule a disappointment. But because Private Dancer was so incredible a comeback, one greeted this anxiously awaited follow-up with such high expectations that anything less than outstanding would have … Read more