There’s not a bad song on Cargo (1983), but “It’s a Mistake” is one of the standout cuts on the album. Written by Colin Hay, it was the third single off Cargo […]
“It’s a Mistake” by Men at Work: pop at the height of the cold war
“Disintegration” by The Cure (No. 4)
Disintegration is the album that really sold me on The Cure. Yes, I know, I was a bit late to the party. Some of the singles off Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss […]
“Document” by R.E.M. (No. 19)
For Document R.E.M. picked up a much harder edge than previous albums. Sure, Life’s Rich Pageant dabbled a bit with more aggressive guitar, but Document has a much harsher sound throughout. And […]
“Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me” by The Cure (No. 20)
Most of The Cure‘s albums are outstanding, but Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me is simply magical. Kiss Me, Kiss Me, Kiss Me shows The Cure delivering perfect, joyful pop right alongside […]
“Queen Elvis” by Robyn Hitchcock ‘n’ The Egyptians (No. 21)
Watching “alternative” bands like The Cure, R.E.M., and U2 punch through to mainstream success, I had high hopes that Robyn Hitchcock would break through with Queen Elvis. Released in March 1989, Hitchcock […]
“The Joshua Tree” by U2 (No. 23)
It’s a little daunting to try to find something original to say about an album like The Joshua Tree. Released in 1987, The Joshua Tree sold something like 25 million copies, While […]
“The Game” by Queen (No. 24)
Queen‘s The Game will probably be best remembered for two things, “Another One Bites the Dust,” and the first album from the band that featured the use of a synthesizer. I remember […]
“Starfish” by The Church (No. 29)
If it weren’t for lucking into a few decent mix tapes and dubs of entire albums, I’m not sure what my musical tastes would be like today. Case in point, Starfish by […]
“Best O’Boingo” by Oingo Boingo No. 30
You can’t hide from Danny Elfman. Well, I suppose you could, but you’d have to be a pop culture recluse to do so. He’s got 104 composer credits for a slew of […]
“Waxworks” & “Beeswax” by XTC (No. 31)
Waxworks and Beeswax are a double dose of angular, jumpy, frenetic pop from Swindon’s XTC. This pairing captures the very best of XTC’s early period, before they evolved into a more “pastoral” […]